Comprehensive Guidelines for Commercial, Residential
and Mixed-use Facilities
DUBAI - In a major step towards the goal of sustainable development, EHS, the Environment, Health and Safety regulatory arm of Dubai World, has finalised comprehensive Green Building Regulations for Dubai World Developments.
The guidelines, which are in line with the Dubai Strategic Plan 2015, directed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, are well ahead of his ruling that all buildings in Dubai will have to be constructed as per environment friendly green building standards from January 2008.
In its drive to ensure sustainability in all developmental activities by the Dubai World network of companies, EHS held a number of seminars last week presented by Ravi Srinivasan, an expert on LEED certification, to familiarise Dubai World seniors officials and stakeholders with the new regulations that are to be implemented in future projects.
EHS has included all commercial, residential and mixed-use facilities in the purview of these Regulations. It has been made mandatory that all Green Certified Buildings must provide annually evidence of operational compliance from their certifying bodies.
The acquiring Green Building standards have also been made a category in the EHS Awards for the year 2008.
Minimum Requirements
The minimum requirements have been drawn from parameters of the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System. Independent accredited Certifying Agencies must approve these requirements before the project is finalised.
The range of the EHS Green Building Regulations covers the selection of the site for building, soil condition, air-water-sound pollution to prudent use of energy sources, building materials, recycling of wastes and transportation.
Points of credit -- Silver, Gold and Platinum LEED Certification -- will be awarded to buildings and projects based on the degree of adherence to Green Building parameters.
Full details of the Regulations are available at the EHS website www.ehss.ae
Ahmed Abdul Hussain, CEO of EHS, said: "The main thrust of the EHS Green Building Regulations for Dubai World Developments is the pursuance of economic development without compromising on conservation of energy and environment. Encouraging the use of renewable energy sources and prevention of energy wastage has been given prime importance."
EHS has taken particular care that these Regulations do not limit any developer from achieving their economic goals, but insists that this must not be at the expense of the critical EHS requirements.
The Regulations ban building activities in places Dubai Municipality has identified as farmlands or within 100 ft of any wetland. The site must not be within 50ft of the sea.
Energy Conservation
As part of energy conservation, residential buildings have been asked to provide infrastructure and support programs to facilitate shared use of vehicles such as carpool drop-off areas, designated parking for vanpools and shuttle services to mass transit.
EHS has made it compulsory that the building must establish a minimum level of energy efficiency and its energy systems are commissioned. The commissioning team must ensure that the building's energy related systems are installed, calibrated and perform according to the requirement of the project. The aim is to lower the use of energy and operating costs.
The Regulations have mentioned specific steps to be taken to encourage the use of on-site renewable energy in order to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with fossil fuel use.
Renewable energy sources must provide at least 35 per cent of the building's electricity.
The EHS Regulations insist that every building must maintain Minimum Environmental Quality to enhance the quality of air inside. Mechanical ventilation systems shall be designed using the Ventilation Rate Procedure.
Building occupants, indoor surfaces and ventilation air distribution systems must be protected from tobacco smoke. The Regulation suggests prohibiting smoking in the building or locates exterior designated areas at least 25 ft away from entries.
Design teams and projects will be awarded points for exceptional performance for innovative Green Building designs. As per the Regulations, at least one principal participant of the project team shall be a LEED Accredited Professional.
- Ends -
For more information, please contact:
Yasir Saeed Zubairi
Assistant Manager, Media
World View Communications,
Dubai World
Email: yasir.zubairi@dubaiworld.ae
Tel: +971 50 640 7897
Fax: +971 50 360 3570
© Press Release 2007
