SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS
Asset Classes
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Offices
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Enclosed Shopping Centres
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Open Air Retail
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Light Industrial
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Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
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Health Care Facilities
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Universal
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Focus Area
Resilience and Site
Topic
Site
Question #
R1.1 – Site Irrigation
Question
Which type of water efficient controls are used to irrigate the site’s landscaped areas?
Applicability
All asset classes
Owner/landlord occupied building
Tenant occupied building
Answer & Scoring
- Yes = Points as indicated below
Select all that apply:
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- Drip or root-fed irrigation = 1 point
- Rain and/or soil moisture sensors = 1 point
- Weather-based controllers = 1 point
- Pressure regulated head = 1 point
- Smart scheduling = 1 point
- Stormwater capture = 1 point
- Landscaping does not require irrigation = 5 points
- No = 0 points
- Not Applicable – No exterior landscapes areas on site = 0/0
Max of 5 points
Requirements
Indicate which type of irrigation control is in place at the building and used to irrigate 80% or more of the landscape.
- Drip irrigation: Water lines with low flow, dripping applicators spread throughout the irrigated area to more conservatively distribute water.
- Root-fed irrigation: Applicators are below ground and close to the roots zone of plants.
- Soil moisture sensors: Moisture sensors are placed in the soil of the irrigated area and communicate with an automatic scheduling system to adjust scheduling based on the real-time moisture levels of the irrigated area.
- Rain sensors: Precipitation sensors placed in the irrigated area communicate with an automatic scheduling system to adjust scheduling based on previous rainfall on the irrigated area.
- Weather-based controllers: Can be either a Smart or Central Controller. Must be WaterSense approved
- Smart scheduling: Manual scheduling based on an interaction of factors to maximize the efficiency of water use in irrigating plants. Considers the following: timing (to reduce evapotranspiration, best at night or away from peak sun and heat loads); flow rate and distribution of irrigation system; slope; soil type and infiltration rate of area being irrigated; plant type (watering needs and root depth); seasonal changes in watering needs; and predicted and actual rainfall.
Documentation
- Photos, specifications, excerpts from landscaping contract etc. showing example of specific strategy implemented
Suggested Lead
In-house, with third-party support
Value
- Water use associated with landscaping can significantly impact the overall water consumption at a building
- Reduce water use associated with landscaping by implementing landscaping designs that do not require irrigation or using water efficient irrigation systems
Description
Water-efficient irrigation controls reduce water consumption.
References
None
Adapted BB 3.0 Question
Question 02.04.01 – Which type of water efficient controls are used for irrigation?