Month: March 2012

We have completed our CSL project and our final results are as follows!

Credit 3.1 is a required component to pass the SSI water requirement rating. Its aim is to reduce the potable water usage by 50% for irrigation of the area. Following the method of calculations provided by the SSI, the reduction in potable was calculated to be around 30% for peak watering months, and thus did not meet this criterion.

Credit 3.5 focuses on managing stormwater on site. Specifically, it aims at increasing infiltration, and reducing runoff and evapotranspiration.  This is achieved through a reduction in non-permeable area. Calculations were performed using a modified TR-55 method as recommended in the SSI guidelines. Ultimately, there was no reduction in permeable area, thus no credits were awarded for this section.

Credit 3.6 focused on protecting and enhancing on site water quality. Potential pollutants used in exterior construction were identified, and filtration methods were taken into account. According to the guidelines, there were only a small amount of potential pollutants present and filtration was provided by drainage holes as wells as large areas dedicated to soil and vegetation. By the rating criteria, this credit received the full 9 points.

Credit 3.7 aimed to make the water features visible and accessible from the site. Because the two water amenities were 100% visible and accessible, but not available for full human contact, 2 out of a possible 3 credits were awarded.

Credit 3.8 was about maintaining water balance in water features from non-potable sources. This was achieved in full by relying solely on rainwater to fill both water amenities on site. An additional point was awarded by using gravity for all movement and recirculation of water. Thus, 4 out of a possible 4 points were awarded.

Out of a possible 26 points, 15 were awarded for the project. Although due to the requirement that 3.1 is passed, the project didn’t technically meet the guidelines.

Over the reading break, we split up into three groups of two, designating  sections of the Sustainable Sites Initiative to each group.  We also contacted a civil engineer from Stantec who had AutoCAD drawings of the site.  He was able to give us these drawings, which helped up greatly in some of our calculations.  The AutoCAD drawings can be seen below.

By the end of the reading break, we were able to finish up the specific parts of the SSI.  We found that while working on this project and trying to figure out the needed calculations, a lot of estimations and assumptions had to be made, as we did not have some of the needed expertise and knowledge.  Nonetheless, we completed the needed sections of the SSI to the best of our knowledge and with great help from Dean Gregory.  It was great that he could meet with us two times as we are all sure that he is extremely busy.  Right now, we are just working on compiling all the different pieces of the project into a portfolio, which we will submit on Monday.  In our portfolio, we will be including notes, assumptions, estimations, calculations, construction documents, and all other relative information that we used to come to our conclusions.  Once the portfolio is all put together, I will make a final post regarding the results of the project.  Stay tuned for the results!