Green Globes certification for interiors has major upgrade

ECD Energy and Environment Canada have released an upgrade to the Green Globes for Fit-ups certification program. The program is now renamed Sustainable Interiors (SI).

First available in Canada in 2004, Green Globes is a web-based program that offers guidance on integrated design and provides certification to advance the environmental performance and sustainability of commercial and institutional building interiors.

Green Globes SI is now largely based on a Canadian adaptation of the ANSI standard: ANSI/GBI 01-2010: Green Building Assessment Protocol for Commercial Buildings. The standard was developed in the U.S.

Jiri Skopek, the Director of Green Globes development in Canada, says: “Using the ANSI standard, Green Globes has been enhanced in all of the assessment areas.”

He adds: “The new Green Globes reflects major advances in building science and an enhanced user interface experience, but maintains the unique attributes that have made it the user-friendly and cost-effective choice for a growing number of sustainability professionals. What has not changed is that it still provides a transparent, web-based survey, with a streamlined verification process based on a review of actual construction documents and specifications, along with live customer support.”

Using the program, a project is awarded one to five Green Globes according to the points earned in the certification process. Certification is in two stages. At the completion of the design phase, a design rating certification is issued. Following construction, the assessor revaluates and issues a post-construction certificate.

Craig Riley at URS Corporation, says: “Professionals will be impressed by the ease of use of the online Green Globes evaluation system, and by the overall program flexibility and adaptability. The Green Globes certification process is robust and efficient and there is abundant customer service to guide users through the process to answer questions regarding greening strategies during the design and construction process.”

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