Glossary
Appropriated Agency
The agency that received funding from the capital bond proceeds on behalf of the project and is responsible for compliance review. The appropriated agency is responsible for reviewing, (but not determining), compliance with the guidelines according to the Compliance Review process based on the extent of compliance represented and documented in the Compliance Summary Form, Outcome Documentation Forms, and optional Guideline Report. The Appropriated agency also reviews and decides whether to accept applications for variance from the guidelines according to the Variance Process. (See P.1 Guideline Management, Supporting Information.)
Atmospheric Lifetime (AtL)
Atmospheric Lifetime is a measure of the average persistence of the refrigerant if released. A longer lifetime has worse environmental effects.
Baseline
Baselines demark a reference case for comparison and are used to determine performance improvements for compliance with guidelines throughout this document. Members of the Commissioning Team determine project baselines. (See P.4 Design and Construction Commissioning, Supporting Information.)
Baseline, Planning
During Agency Planning determine the characteristics of the Planning Baseline scenario. The Planning Baseline is the initial space program document, construction type, and cost assumptions based on typical industry data and first understanding of facility needs and operating parameters. The Planning Baseline is needed to measure the environmental and economic advantages of Planning for Conservation approaches such as building less and/or reusing existing buildings studied in Predesign Programming and Predesign Site Selection phases. (See P.2 Planning for Conservation, and first part of M.1 Evaluate Design for Resource Use.) (Also See P.4 Design and Construction Commissioning, Supporting Information.)
Baseline, Programming
During the Predesign Programming phase, the predesign team evaluates initial general assumptions of program needs and further develops program document to reflect Agency needs in concert with lifecycle performance goals. At the end of Predesign, determine characteristics of the Programming Baseline based on Planning for Conservation approaches chosen and other changes made during Predesign Programming and Site Selection phases. The Programming Baseline is needed to measure environmental and economic advantages of alternate construction for various building systems, evaluated and chosen during schematic design. (See second part of M.1 Evaluate Design for Resource Use.) (Also See P.4 Design and Construction Commissioning, Supporting Information.)
Baseline, Design
During schematic design after a basic building concept and outline of construction types for each building system is chosen, determine characteristics of the Design Baseline scenario. The Design Baseline defines project parameters that will be used as the baseline for all guidelines to be measured against. For example, additional savings gained through improved material properties shall be measured against the Design Baseline, and the area, configuration, construction/ and system parameters will be used as a baseline for energy analysis. (See P.4 Design and Construction Commissioning, Supporting Information.)
Baseline(s), Measurement and Verification
Measurement and Verification Baseline(s) are used to calculate savings as part of the Measurement and Verification Process. They should be coordinated with other baselines but may have other requirements per IPMVP reference standard. See details of Measurement and Verification under P.4 Operations Commissioning under Supporting Information - Measurement and Verification Details. (See P.4 Design and Construction Commissioning, Supporting Information.)
Benchmarking
Benchmarking is a component of the Buildings, Benchmarks, and Beyond (B3) Project (in addition to Guidelines development (MSBG), project management, and project delivery process.) Benchmarking will identify the energy performance of existing public buildings in order to direct energy conservation improvements where they are most needed and most cost-beneficial. As new state-funded projects are constructed and operated in accordance with MSBG, more detailed information on energy and other sustainable performance factors will also be tracked.
Biodiversity
The variety, variability, and number of plants and animals in a defined area. A term generally used to describe the health of a site, and its ability to sustain itself over time.
Buildings, Benchmarks, and Beyond (B3) Project
The State of Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines are a component of a larger project of the Departments of Administration and Commerce called "Buildings, Benchmarks and Beyond" (B3.) The other primary component of the B3 project, called "benchmarking," will identify the energy performance of existing public buildings in order to direct energy conservation improvements where they are most needed and most cost-beneficial. As new state-funded projects are constructed and operated in accordance with the new sustainable guidelines, more detailed information on energy and other sustainable performance factors will also be tracked. The third, management component of the B3 project facilitates integration of the guideline and benchmarking efforts and coordinates public input.
Blackwater
Blackwater is water flushed from toilets. Also, water from a kitchen sink, garbage disposal or dishwasher is considered blackwater because of high concentrations of organic waste. Only after appropriate treatment can blackwater be reused for non-potable applications, such as subsurface landscape irrigation.
Brownfields
Previously developed sites where the redevelopment, reuse, or expansion is impacted by the presence or potential presence of contaminants in the soil. Brownfields can occur in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
CSBR
The Center for Sustainable Building Research (CSBR) at the University of Minnesota acts as the MSBG tracking team. CSBR leads the MSBG Tracking Process, updates and maintains project information with required forms and optional Guideline Reports from each phase of project development and each year of operational data. This data may be posted on an MSBG informational website. It may also be used for selected audits, to improve the usability and effectiveness of the MSBG guidelines, and to translate building performance in to state economic, human, and environmental outcomes. CSBR tracks the MSBG on direction of the State. (See P.1 Guideline Management, Supporting Information.)
Certified (Materials)
Validation by an approved, third-party resource, that material or product meets specifications for performance or prescriptive criteria. An example is the Forest Stewardship Council Certified Wood programs.
Churn
For any given period of time, the number of occupants who discontinue their current use of a space and require modifications to structural components, building systems, interior finishes, or furnishings, divided by the average number of total occupants. Churn rate provides insight into the life cycle cost of materials.
Commissioning Process, Commissioning Plan, Commissioning Report for Design and Construction Commissioning
Design and Construction Commissioning refers to the commissioning process that shall begin in schematic design and conclude after the correction period or after completion of a full year of operation, which ever is last. The Design and Construction Commissioning Process is the means to verify and document that the systems of a facility operate in accordance with their design intent and that the operations staff fully understands the system operational procedures. This includes documenting system operational goals and design parameters, planning for verification and testing in the design and specifications, confirming the successful completion of the verification process, documenting the system operational procedures and training the operations staff. The Design and Construction Commissioning Process is coordinated by the Design and Construction Commissioning Leader and executed by the Design and Construction Commissioning Team. (See P.4 Design and Construction Commissioning, Supporting Information.)
Commissioning Process, Commissioning Plan, Commissioning Report for Operations Commissioning
Operations Commissioning shall be planned for during design, but focuses on the operations of the facility after construction through the next use of the facility. The Operations Commissioning process is the means to verify and document that the systems of a facility and the facility as a whole continue to operate in accordance with their design intent overtime. This includes planning, implementation, and documentation for regular preventative maintenance, Measurement and Verification of system and whole building performance, and improvement and correction of that performance. The Operations Commissioning process is coordinated by the Operations Commissioning Leader and executed by the Operations Commissioning Team. Initial operations input is provided by the participation of the Facility Operations Manager on the Design and Construction Commissioning Team. Later in design, the Operations Commissioning Team is formed and leads the planning for Operations Commissioning after occupancy. (See P.5 Operations Commissioning, Supporting Information.)
Commissioning Leader, Commissioning Team for Design and Construction Commissioning
The Design and Construction Commissioning Leader is the person who coordinates the efforts of the Design and Construction Commissioning Team and assembles the Design and Construction Commissioning Plan, commissioning design reviews and the Design and Construction Commissioning Reports. The Commissioning Leader shall be a distinct role from the design team, but may be employed within one of the firms providing design services. The Commissioning Team serves the planning and review needs to coordinate with the commissioning process and to complement the skills of the Commissioning Leader. The Commissioning Team shall include the Commissioning Leader, a representative of the owner's facilities operations team, the Guideline Leader, the architect and engineers of multiple disciplines as needed to cover the expertise to plan and execute commissioning of selected systems, the contractor, and appropriate subcontractors. (See P.4 Design and Construction Commissioning, Supporting Information.)
Commissioning Leader, Commissioning Team for Operations Commissioning
The Operations Commissioning Leader is the person who coordinates the efforts of the Operations Commissioning Team and assembles the Operations Commissioning Plan, commissioning design reviews and the annual Operations Commissioning Reports. The Operations Commissioning Leader can be from any group, including a member of the owner's facilities operations team. The Operations Commissioning Team serves the planning and review needs to coordinate with the Operations Commissioning Process and to complement the skills of the Commissioning Leader. The Operations Commissioning Team shall include the Operations Commissioning Leader, the Guideline Leader for the Ongoing Occupancy Phase, and any other staff or consultants as needed to cover the expertise to plan and execute operations commissioning. (See P.5 Operations Commissioning, Supporting Information.)
Compliance Review Process
The process for regularly reviewing compliance with the guidelines over time from initial phases through ongoing occupancy. There are three key components. First, the Work Team (or its Guideline Leader) submits the end-of-phase Compliance Summary Form and Outcome Documentation Form (and optional Guideline Report) to the Appropriated Agency for review. Then, the Appropriated Agency reviews the extent and nature of compliance as documented by the guideline leader and decides if the extent of compliance is acceptable. (The Appropriated Agency, does not determine compliance.) Finally, the Appropriated Agency either approves the extent of compliance for that phase, or directs the Guideline Leader to revisit compliance measures with the team. Once approved, the Appropriated Agency sends forms and associated documentation on to CSBR for the MSBG Tracking Process. (See P.1 Guideline Management, Supporting Information.)
Compliance Summary Form
A Compliance Summary Form is filled out for the project at the end of each phase or annually during Ongoing Occupancy. It includes statements of compliance, or progress towards compliance appropriate to the phase signed by the responsible party for each guideline. (See P.7 Process Documentation for Performance Management for Compliance Summary Form P-A (.pdf file | .xls file) and see P.1 Guideline Management, Supporting Information.)
Evaluation (Materials, Life Cycle Analysis/LCA)
Life cycle interpretation second step within the life cycle interpretation phase to establish confidence in the results of the LCA or LCI study. Note that evaluation includes the completeness check, sensitivity check, consistency check, and any other validation that may be required in accordance with the goal and scope definition of the study.
Global Warming Potential (GWP)
Global Warming Potential is an indicator of the potency of the refrigerant to warm the planet by action as a greenhouse gas. A higher GWP has worse environmental effects.
Goal
The purpose toward which activity is directed. Goals relate the outcome sought to the issues relevant to a particular topic (site, energy, water, etc..) Goals are established on the basis of principles and associated desired outcomes.
Graywater
Graywater derives from domestic or commercial water uses, not containing organic contaminants. Water from sinks, baths, showers, and washing machines are a source of graywater, and can be used for subsurface irrigation of non-edible landscape plants and in some situations for toilet flushing. Another category of Graywater is Rainwater. (See separate listing.)
Greenfields
Sites which have not experienced development and there is no known or suspected contaminates in the soil. Greenfields can occur in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Guideline Leader
The Guideline Leader is the person who coordinates the completion, and documentation of tasks to comply with the sustainable guidelines. They shall work within the organization contractually responsible for a phase (or be a consultant hired by that organization), thus the role may be filled by different people for each phase. They are the contact person for guideline compliance. Some Agency processes may have a different name for this role, or not designate this role, leaving it up to a representative from the Work Team to coordinate the tasks of the Guideline Leader. (See P.1 Guideline Management, Supporting Information.)
Guideline Management Process
The process for ensuring that the project complies with the guidelines by regularly reviewing compliance with the guidelines from initial phases through ongoing occupancy. The Guideline Management Process is led by the Guideline Leader and consists of the following key components. 1) The work team for the responsible organization (planning team, design team, construction team, or operations team depending on phase) works to meet the guidelines. 2) The work team, Coordinated by the Guideline Leader, submits a Compliance Summary Form and Outcome Documentation, and (optional Guideline Report) at the end of the phase, or annually during Ongoing Occupancy to the Appropriated Agency for Compliance Review. 3) The Appropriated Agency reviews the submitted materials and may approve or disapprove the extent of compliance. 4) Once approved, the Appropriated Agency sends the forms and associated material to CSBR for the MSBG Tracking Process. This data is used to give feedback to the State on the guidelines and for benchmarking performance data during the ongoing occupancy phase. (See P.1 Guideline Management, Supporting Information.)
Guideline Report
The Optional Guideline Report provides information to the Compliance Review Process, and the MSBG Tracking Process. Guideline Reports are submitted for compliance review at the end of each phase (or annually during operations.) They are phase-specific and compare the state of design documentation or facility operation at a specific time or time period to the guideline requirements for that phase. In addition to the required forms, the Guideline Report provides a narrative of progress, and may discuss issues to be resolved or lessons learned along the way. The Guideline Report consists of: Required compliance summary forms and outcome documentation forms for the phase, Executive summary of the extent of guideline compliance for that phase, Executive summary of performance achieved (or estimated progress towards that performance in planning and design phases.) (See P.1 Guideline Management, Supporting Information.)
Guidelines
A set of rules and instructions (performance criteria), based on objectives, intended to achieve a goal and ultimately lead to the successful completion of a desired outcome. Guidelines may require total or partial compliance with rules or instructions (performance criteria.) Guidelines may be of a prescriptive or performance nature. The term guidelines is used here to refer to the entire MSBG document as well as the specific required or recommended items within each topic section. For example, "P.3 Planning for Conservation is the third guideline in the Performance Management topic of The State of Minnesota Sustainable Building Guidelines."
Impervious / Imperviousness (Site Surfaces)
Surfaces that prohibit or greatly slow down the movement of water from the land surface into the underlying soil. Imperviousness is the portion of a sub-basin, watershed, sub-watershed, or site, expressed as the percentage, which is covered by impervious surfaces such as roof tops, parking lots, sidewalks, driveways, streets, and highways.
Intent
The portion of a guideline that summarizes its purpose and usually its relationship to the objective and goal it is trying to accomplish.
Life Cycle (Materials)
Consecutive and interlinked stages of a product system, from raw material acquisition or generation of natural resources to the final disposal.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Compilation and evaluation of the inputs, outputs and the potential environmental impacts of a product system or building component throughout its life cycle.
Life Cycle Costing
Life Cycle Costing is a process to determine the sum of all the costs associated with an asset or part thereof, including acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance, refurbishment and disposal costs. It is therefore pivotal to the asset management process. Life Cycle Costing incorporates both Life Cost Planning which occurs during development or manufacture and implementation of that plan by Life Cost Analysis as the asset is used or occupied. Life Cycle Costing forms an input to evaluation processes such as Value Management, Economic Appraisal and Financial Appraisal. (See Guideline P.6 Lowest Life Cycle Cost for more details and definitions.)
Life Cycle Impact Assessment
Phase of life cycle assessment aimed at understanding and evaluating the magnitude and significance of the potential environmental impacts of a product system.
Life Cycle Impact Category Indicator
Quantifiable representation of an impact category. Note that the shorter expression "category indicator" is used throughout the text of International Standard 14040 for improved readability.
Life Cycle Interpretation
Phase of life cycle assessment in which the findings of either the inventory analysis or the impact assessment, or both, are combined consistent with the defined goal and scope in order to reach conclusions and recommendations.
Life Cycle Inventory Analysis
Phase of life cycle assessment involving the compilation and quantification of inputs and outputs, for a given product system throughout its life cycle
Locally/Regionally Manufactured
Manufacturing, as defined for the purpose of this Guideline, refers to the extraction, harvesting, or recovery, as well as final assembly of components into the building product that is furnished and installed by trades people. Products with component parts or materials supplied from distances further than 250 miles, unless they come from recycling programs within the borders of the State of Minnesota, which are assembled or manufactured in Minnesota, do not qualify.
MSBG Tracking Process
This process consists primarily of updating and maintaining the project information. Related activities may include posting data from the project on an informational MSBG website, using project information to improve the usability and effectiveness of the MSBG guidelines, and translating reported building performance into economic, human, and environmental outcomes for use by the State of Minnesota The steps of this process consists of the following elements: Appropriated Agency sends Compliance Summary form and all Outcome Documentation forms (and Guideline Reports if applicable) at the end of each phase, and annually during operations to CSBR for use in the MSBG Tracking Process. Depending on the phase, Outcome Documentation may also call for Commissioning or other reports to be attached. CSBR uses the information received to update and maintain project information at the direction of the State of Minnesota. (See P.1 Guideline Management, Supporting Information.)
Native Plants
Indigenous species that were present in a defined area prior to European settlement.
Objective
A plan of action that sets the path to be used to reach the goal that is sought.
Outcomes
The desired end result, based on guiding principles, that is to be accomplished by meeting performance criteria. Here, the desired outcomes are beneficial impacts to human, community, environment, and life-cycle economic conditions. Specific units and methodologies for measuring outcome performance will be developed further in subsequent versions of the MSBG.
Outcome Documentation Forms
An Outcome Documentation Form is filled out for each topic (Site, Energy, etc.) indicating key documentation of performance and outcome results for each guideline within a topic. The Outcome Documentation Form and attachments are completed at the end of each phase (or annually during Ongoing Occupancy.) See Process Documentation and Outcome Documentation Guidelines and forms for further description and sample templates. (See Guidelines P.7, S.15, E.5, I.15, and M.4 for Outcome documentation forms for each section. Also See P.1 Guideline Management, Supporting Information.)
Outdoor Environmental Quality (OEQ)
Refers to characteristics of the exterior environment with regard to the impact of air quality, lighting, acoustics, microclimate, and spatial orientation on human health, safety and comfort. Air quality refers to characteristics with regard to movement, temperature, humidity, and contaminants (particulate matter, gases, pollen, allergens and fumes.)
Atmospheric Lifetime (AtL)
Atmospheric Lifetime is a measure of the average persistence of a refrigerant if released. A longer lifetime has worse environmental effects.
Performance (guideline, performance criteria)
A description of a guideline which stipulates a calculable and measurable desired result as part of the criteria for meeting a goal. Usually, the method to calculate the result is also a part of the criteria. The result and calculation method (based on desired impacts) are defined; the physical means of achieving the result are left to the design team. ("Achieve this result, and show us how it was calculated and can be verified.")
Performance Criteria
The portion of a guideline that describes the rules and instructions for meeting the intent of the guideline. Performance criteria may include units of measure, specific analysis methodology, and documentation requirements. Here, each performance criteria is followed by "Tasks by Phase" which describe in more detail the steps to be taken throughout the planning, design, construction, and occupancy process.
Prescriptive (guideline)
A description of a guideline which stipulates a norm or standard as the means for meeting a goal. The physical means are defined (based on perceived connection to a desired result); the actual resulting impact is unknown. ("Do THIS and we'll call it compliance without ever knowing its true impact or merits.")
Principle
A (social) principle is an agreed upon set of moral or ethical standards or judgments governing the behavior of a collective. Here, the principles pertain to human (building occupants), community, environmental sustainability, and life-cycle economic performance.
Project Archive
The Optional Project Archive is the performance planning, design, and ongoing maintenance history of the project. This body of information should include: performance parameters and basis for design, design actions taken towards MSBG criteria, ongoing monitoring, measurement and verification over time, actions to resolve problems over time, and results of those actions. It includes each released version of the Guideline Reports and Commissioning Reports. The Guideline Leader and Work Team maintain the Project Archive each phase and facilitate its transition to leaders of following phases. (See P.1 Guideline Management, Supporting Information.)
Proxy (guideline)
A description of a guideline (or guideline system) that is a surrogate, not well linked to the desired outcome. Any requirement that is not a direct measure of impacts on desired outcomes (the environment, the economy, the community or people.) Any score-keeping, award or credit system is inherently a proxy. Prescriptive guidelines are often proxies. The concept of a proxy is relative to how the desired outcomes are defined. For example, money is not a proxy in the economy but it is a proxy in terms of human performance and for environmental impacts. Point based guideline systems are all proxies for impacts on the environment, the economy, the community or people.
Rainwater
Ordinary rainfall collected and concentrated to meet water needs. This type of water is normally used to supplement common residential water requirements. Rainwater is most commonly used for above ground exterior irrigation systems and for watering gardens. Other uses include toilet flushing, car washing, swimming pool make-up water, and in the southern United States evaporative coolers. Rainwater is considered a subset of Graywater. (See separate listing.)
Rapidly Renewable Resource
Agricultural byproducts with a maturation cycle of less than 10 years. (E.g. Wheat straw; slow-growing aspens or bamboo.)
Raw Material
Primary or secondary material that is used to produce a product.
Recharge, On-site Water Recharge Areas
Those areas on a site where the soils are porous and allow water infiltration deep enough to recharge the groundwater and aquifers.
Remanufactured
Products or systems reassembled, after dismantling, cleaning, and repair, to prescribed standards and specifications using state-of-the-art equipment and components. During this process, new components may be installed which meet or exceed performance standards of the original product.
Salvaged
Salvage is the act of removing something for reuse. Salvaged materials or products may be installed at the same site, in new construction on the same site, or installed at a different location.
Site Hydrologic Cycle
The cyclical process of how water normally acts upon a site. Managing water in a sustainable manner at the site, sub-watershed, and watershed level is based on an understanding of this process. Water falls to the ground as rainfall precipitation. Some of the rainfall runs off the site into streams, some evaporates into the atmosphere, some infiltrates into the soil recharging the groundwater and aquifers. The water that reaches the soil is drawn up by plants which transpire water back into the atmosphere through their leaves. Once the water is transpired into the atmosphere, the cycle is complete, and the process starts over again.
Strategy
An individual or set of resources, including technologies, procedures or operations, that is part of a plan of action for meeting the performance criteria of a guideline. Strategies are implemented (- they are things you can DO to achieve what you WANT.)
Variance Review Process
The Variance Review Process defines the steps for reviewing a request to not adhere to a portion of the guideline as written. This is intended to be used very sparingly, for issues such as non-applicability to a building type or scale. It is led by the Appropriated Agency and consists of the following key steps: The Work Team (or Guideline Leader if applicable) submits a variance request in writing to the Appropriated Agency before the completion of the schematic design phase. The request shall document the reasons for each variance request. After review, the Appropriated Agency either accepts or rejects the request for variance, or may specify a compromise equivalency or conditions for the variance. The Appropriated Agency sends a copy of the variance request and extent approved to CSBR. (See P.1 Guideline Management, Supporting Information.)
Watershed
The entire land area drained by a waterway that empties into a water body. Spatial area is determined by the topographic high points on the land at which point surface water flows in two different directions.
Work Team
The Work Team is responsible for the facility performance progress in a particular phase. Depending on the phase, this may be the planning team, predesign team, design team, construction team, or operations team. This team works towards the guideline performance criteria appropriate to their phase, and completes Compliance Summary and Outcome Documentation Forms at the end of each phase (or annually during Ongoing Occupancy.) (See P.1 Guideline Management, Supporting Information.)