ATLANTA—With publication of the green building standard, an updated online seminar reviewing its requirements is now available from ASHRAE.

ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, is the first code-intended commercial green building standard in the United States. It provides a long-needed green building foundation for those who strive to design, build and operate green buildings. The standard covers  key topic areas of site sustainability, water use efficiency, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality and the building’s impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources, and also includes construction practices as well as plans for operation of the building after occupancy.

A course from ASHRAE on the requirements of the standard, Understanding Standard 189.1P for High-Performance, Green Buildings, takes place March 15 and is taught by Tom Lawrence, a member of the committee that developed the standard. The course is one of 14 being offered this spring.

“The course has evolved as the standard has taken shape, and I anticipate that the course will continue to evolve as changes and addenda are approved, resulting from changes in concepts, technologies and design for green buildings” Lawrence said. “Standard 189.1 has the potential to be a 'game changer' in the industry and thus anyone who is working with green design would benefit from learning more about the standard.  One way to do that is by taking this course.”

The 14 online, instructor-led seminars that will run from March until May and are available to those interested in expanding their knowledge of the HVAC industry and keeping up to date with the latest technology and their applications.
A full list of seminars and registration information can be found at www.ashrae.org/onlinecourses.  Other courses are:
•       Humidity Controls: Basic Principles Loads and Equipment
•       Humidity Controls: Application, Control Levels & Mold Avoidance
•       Introduction to Green Buildings and Sustainable Construction
•       The Commissioning Process and Guideline 0
•       Introduction to Thermal Energy Storage Systems for Air Conditioning
•       Complying with Standard 90.1-2007 HVAC/Mechanical
•       Energy Management in New and Existing Buildings: a Sustainable Activity
•       Complying with Standard 90.1-2007 Envelope/Lighting
•       Using Standard 90.1-2007 to Meet LEED Requirements
•       Introduction to Cleanroom Design
•       District Cooling and Heating Systems: Central Plants
•       Complying with Requirements of ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2007
•       Understanding and Designing Dedicated Outside Air Systems.

The three-hour-long courses are taught in real-time, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, and feature interactive audio. Three professional development hours or American Institute of Architects learning units or 0.3 continuing education units are available for each course.