High Performance Buildings (HPB)

H i g h P e r f o r m a n c e B u i l d i n g s

T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s The Building Blocks of High Performance Buildings .........................................................2

High Performance Buildings and Smart Grid .....................................................................7

Building Management Systems .......................................................................................11

Lighting and Lighting Control Systems ............................................................................13

High-Efficiency Transformers ..........................................................................................17

Infrastructure, Wiring Systems, and Raceways ...............................................................20

Electrical Safety and Protection Solutions .......................................................................24

Signaling Protection Devices, Security Systems, and Emergency Systems ...................25

ABCs of HPBs .................................................................................................................27

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2 High Performance Buildings

Our economy, our health, and our environment are significantly affected by the buildings we occupy. High performance buildings (HPBs) address human, environmental, economic, and total societal needs in a whole building design. They achieve maximum energy savings by taking into consideration site, energy, materials, indoor air quality, acoustics, and natural resources. HPBs are the result of the highest levels of design, construction, operation, and maintenance principles—a paradigm change for the built environment.

Also described as “green” or “sustainable,” an HPB generally refers to any building that performs better than a conventional one in metrics related to energy efficiency.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), HPBs are based on the ideal of a net-zero energy building (NZEB), i.e., a building that produces at least as much energy as it consumes, using on-site, renewable energy sources. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has established an energy savings target of 30 percent as the first step in the process toward achieving NZEB.

The Building Blocks of High Performance Buildings

In the U.S., approximately 60 percent of all raw materials are dedicated to building construction and related infrastructure. Five million buildings account for 72 percent of total electricity consumption, 39 percent of energy use, and 38 percent of CO2 emissions annually. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that energy consumption will increase by more than 30 percent by 2030 as new buildings are constructed.

Compared to conventional alternatives, HPBs offer energy efficiency and higher rates of productivity by occupants, who credit better lighting and HVAC systems. Lighting alone enhances productivity 7 percent, and individual temperature control enhances productivity 4 percent.

High Performance Buildings 3

New Design and RetrofitsBuilding design, the most critical step in achieving an HPB, relies on siting, envelope integrity, operations, maintenance, equipment, lighting, occupant productivity, safety, security, and integrated systems to create an energy-efficient, smart end product. For example, siting a building to maximize daylighting reduces the cost of lighting for the lifetime of the building; optimizing building envelope design reduces heating and cooling costs.

Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) is paramount to achieving energy efficiency. In HPBs, energy-efficient design begins with heating and cooling loads—the result of climate, people, and equipment. With all loads minimized, HVAC systems can then be selected based on highest output for lowest energy consumption.

Smart building systems integrate sensors, controls, and inputs that optimize comfort and energy efficiency. Advanced energy storage technologies offer better control of market demand on the electrical grid via better management and implementation of demand-response, peak shaving, transmission capacity optimization, and energy-control management.

Designing intelligent power management systems and specifying high performance products are necessary to achieve energy and sustainability goals. Stronger, performance-based building codes that are easy to implement will also encourage energy reduction. And while adoption of energy codes is the responsibility of state and local governments, the federal government needs to provide incentives to adopt and enforce such codes.

Several movements have risen to develop buildings whose economic, energy, and environmental attributes are substantially more energy efficient. While all the technologies, products, and systems to create an HPB are readily available, a major challenge will be to use them to retrofit existing facilities.


Federal PrioritiesIn the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct.05), Congress directed the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) to report whether current standards and ratings systems reflect the latest technological advances and to recommend steps to DOE on how to accelerate the development of standards for HPBs. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA.07) calls for the development of commercial HPBs.

The NZEB commercial initiative promotes buildings that generate as much energy as they consume through efficiency technologies and on-site power generation, like solar, and energy storage. Self-sustaining buildings can even become net-energy producers. ENERGY STAR®, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and DOE, has issued a national call to action to improve the energy efficiency of America’s commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more—a modest goal in light of the energy-reduction specifications in EISA.07.

NEMA has joined nine other leading organizations to form a new consortium to advise the DOE Building Technologies Program on HPBs. The consortium was formed in response to a request from DOE to implement a new net-zero commercial building initiative, in accordance with Section 421 of EISA.07. The initiative promotes a research, development, and deployment strategy for achieving this new wave of building technology.

The High Performance Commercial Green Building Partnership (HPCGBP) also brings together key organizations from all aspects of the building community to provide guidance and technical leadership on sustainability issues. HPCGBP is actively seeking participation from representatives of organizations and other leaders in the building industry. Joining NEMA in steering the committee are ASHRAE; Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute; American Institute of Architects; Alliance to Save Energy; Building Owners and Managers Association; International Code Council; Illuminating Engineering Society of North America; National Association of State Energy Officials; and the U.S. Green Building Council. ASHRAE will serve as the consortium’s secretariat.


NEMA’s RoleWhile many energy conservation programs are still in blueprint form or in the early stages of development, NEMA member products are already on the market for both new construction and the retrofit of existing facilities. NEMA has focused its resources on marketing a package of systems to help improve buildings’ energy efficiency, safety, security, lifecycle, durability, and productivity. In many cases, it is as much about energy management as it is about specification and design.

The challenge lies in the initial costs for either retrofitting existing buildings or constructing HPBs. But lifecycle cost analysis has shown that over a 30-year period, initial building costs account for 2 percent of the total; operations and maintenance, 6 percent; and personnel, 92 percent.

A wide range of member products and systems go into making buildings more efficient, safer, and more secure. The market for NEMA member products is projected to be $30 to $40 billion annually. Many member companies also perform energy assessments.

Product categories include:

Building Management Systems ■Motors and Motor Controls ■HVAC Controls ■Lighting and Lighting Control Systems ■Distribution Transformers ■Advanced Metering ■Infrastructure Wiring and Raceways ■Electrical Safety and Protection Solutions ■for Equipment and Personnel Signaling Protection Devices, Security ■Systems, and Emergency Systems

HPBs are the result of the highest levels of design, construction, operation, and maintenance principles—a paradigm change for the built environment. ”

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HPBCNEMA’s High Performance Building Council (HPBC) has been established to incorporate NEMA energy-efficient products into the building design process, perform internal assessments of member products and services that are applicable to HPBs, and create a matrix of products and systems that fit into other rating systems.

NEMA has already worked closely with NIBS and other organizations to define HPB attributes. They are outlined in a 2008 report to Congress, which can be found at www.wbdg.org/pdfs/hpb_report.pdf.

While HPBC’s most important goal is identifying business opportunities for NEMA members and offering solutions to challenges raised by energy-efficiency goals, the council will also:

Engage in public policy through legislative ■efforts, active participation in caucuses, coalitions, and briefings to Congress and agencies Advise DOE on reducing energy ■consumption and improving environmental impact

Research and promote R&D credits for ■HPB product manufacturersPromote conformance with Federal ■Energy Management Program (FEMP) requirementsDisseminate information on federal tax ■incentives for HPB systems as well as federal and state funding for demo projectsCreate a value proposition that includes ■electrical system considerations Develop codes, standards, and guidance ■publications for electrical systems

HPB Elements

Lighting and Lighting Controls ■

HVAC, Motors, Drives, etc. ■

High-Efficiency Transformers ■

Advanced Meters ■

Safety and Fire Protection ■

Sensors and Controls ■

Energy Storage and Distributed Generation ■

Infrastructure, Wiring Systems, and Raceways ■


High Performance Buildings and Smart Grid

The power grid is the backbone of modern civilization, a complex society with often conflicting energy needs—more electricity but fewer fossil fuels, increased reliability yet lower energy costs, more secure distribution with less maintenance, effective new construction and efficient disaster reconstruction. But while demand for electricity has risen drastically, its transmission and distribution is outdated and stressed. This has created the need for the next generation of the power grid—Smart Grid.

Smart Grid is all about adding “intelligence” to aging infrastructure and delivery systems, from the power plant to the appliances inside our homes and the systems inside our commercial and industrial buildings.

Its basic premise is to add monitoring, analysis, control, and communication capabilities to the national electricity delivery system. This in turn can maximize the output of equipment, help utilities lower costs, improve reliability, decrease interruptions, and reduce energy consumption. In addition, building managers and systems will have greater control over energy usage and ultimately, greater control over energy costs.

The U.S. government is at the epicenter of Smart Grid implementation. EISA.07 specifically addresses Smart Grid in Title 13 and requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to coordinate the development of a Smart Grid interoperability framework and standards. NIST is working with DOE and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), NEMA, and many other organizations to make Smart Grid a reality.

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DOE has identified seven characteristics that are critical to the success of Smart Grid:

3. Enable new products, services, and markets. As new products and services related to end-use energy management continue to evolve, new markets will emerge to take advantage of the value created by improved energy efficiency. The key to enabling participation in new energy markets lies in linking the demand for electricity to the price of electricity in real time.

4. Provide power quality for the range of needs in a digital economy. Because of the enhanced capabilities of advanced electric meters, technology will, for the first time, enable utilities to monitor voltage at the point of electricity delivery for all customers on their systems.

1. Enable active participation by consumers. Having the ability to monitor electricity usage in real time gives consumers meaningful feedback on how their habits affect cost. It provides them with the opportunity to make more informed decisions about how and when they consume electricity.

2. Accommodate all generation and storage options. Supporting the connection and use of distributed generation and/or energy storage requires the accurate measurement of actual energy supplied by distributed energy resources. This includes distributed storage devices as well as generation resources like solar, wind, and standby generation.


5. Optimize asset utilization and operating efficiency. A smart metering system has the ability to measure, record, and retrieve data of sufficient granularity to allow for highly detailed usage analysis of all the components of the distribution system.

6. Anticipate and respond to system disturbances in a self-healing manner. Automated utility substations allow utilities to detect, notify, and respond to system disturbances in real time.

7. Operate resiliently against physical damage, cyber attacks, and natural disasters. The entire concept of Smart Grid relies on interconnected devices with high levels of automation. Cyber security has become one of, if not the most, important issues relative to Smart Grid.

Energy StorageA challenge for NZEBs and the Smart Grid is balancing generated energy with consumed energy over an extended period of time. In the case of renewable generation (solar, wind, marine, etc.), the key to achieving this balance is the integration of energy storage.

Advanced energy storage allows for improved management of electricity, essentially allowing energy producers to send low-cost, off-peak excess electricity to temporary storage sites that become energy producers when electricity demand is greater. This reduces the cost of peak-demand electricity by eliminating the need for excess generation. NEMA members’ portfolios include the products, systems, and software involved in the development, usage, and maintenance of energy storage sites that will play a fundamental role in the twenty-first century electrical grid. Recognizing the immediate need to develop storage systems and integrate them with the grid, NEMA has established the Energy Storage Council to promote these technologies in both policy and standardization arenas.


Illustration courtesy of Itron, Inc.

Advanced MeteringSmart meters serve as the critical interface between the Smart Grid and HPBs.

In keeping with the energy efficiency of an HPB mandate, electric meters must now go beyond simply measuring the amount of power consumed. Meters with capabilities that include communication, data storage, remote programming, and time-of-use rates are at the heart of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) solutions. A smart meter generally refers to a type of advanced meter that identifies consumption in more detail than a conventional meter and communicates that information back to the local utility for monitoring and billing, a process known as telemetering.

AMI has the potential to conserve energy and contain costs while providing higher levels of customer service and improving delivery of energy. Smart meters integrate with other devices in the building management system, such as thermostats and remote controls, so that HPB customers can monitor electric energy price changes in real time and plan usage accordingly.


Building Management Systems

A building management system (BMS) is the centralized, computer-based brain of an HPB, with thousands of coordinated sensors working as an interactive nervous system.

The core function of the BMS is to monitor a building’s mechanical and electrical equipment. It manages the environment via electromechanical systems; energy monitoring; lighting; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; levels of oxygen and human-generated carbon dioxide; fire and security systems; continuing operations; and other issues that can be addressed under the larger tent of interoperability. A BMS controls, monitors, and optimizes the building’s facilities for comfort and safety.

The benefits are indisputable—energy efficiency, cost containment, comfort, productivity, flexibility, and security. Performance differences have been well documented. Lighting controls, HVAC, and other major systems that employ design and advanced components have an enormous impact on not only energy usage, but on user comfort and productivity.

Systems linked to a BMS typically represent about 70 percent of a building’s energy usage (lighting alone contributes about 30 percent of the total). Thus, performance attributes of key components are critical to overall operations. Specifying high performance components that interact in a system designed to deliver performance contributes to a sum that is greater than its individual parts.

The BMS design ideally integrates the building’s efficiency with individual occupants’ comfort and productivity. Efficiency ratings are available for HVAC systems as a whole, but individual components, like high-efficiency motors incorporated into the system, can make a significant difference. NEMA Premium® motors, controls, and variable speed drive systems for motors greater than one horsepower can bump efficiency and performance even higher.

Furthermore, by submetering various equipment loads and circuits, the BMS can better control energy use, respond to utility price signals, and actively connect with the Smart Grid for even greater savings.

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When considering how air is “delivered,” high-efficiency fans, compressors, and other components of the electromechanical system all contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of HVAC systems. Advanced temperature monitoring, which enhances the ability to control comfort, also improves occupant productivity.

Other systems to consider in the design process are people movers—elevators and escalators. Elevators contribute to building high performance with high-efficiency motors that, when coupled with drive systems, can extract the highest performance from an

efficiency standpoint. Escalators typically run continuously, so the key aspect is specification of not only a high-efficiency motor to power the escalator, but also the “right-sized” high-efficiency motor and adjustable speed drive.

Along with controlling the building’s internal environment, the BMS is sometimes linked to access control (turnstiles and doors that control who is allowed access and egress) or other security systems, like closed-circuit televisions and motion detectors. Fire alarm systems and elevators are also sometimes linked to a BMS. For example, if a fire is detected, the system could shut off dampers in the ventilation system to keep smoke from spreading and send all the elevators to the ground floor and park them to prevent people from using them.

In addition to design and specification, another important aspect in any discussion of HPBs is continued monitoring and maintenance of the BMS. It is usually delivered as a fully integrated system that may be linked to enterprise management software.

Photo courtesy of Siemens


3Lighting and Lighting Control Systems

With lighting accounting for up to 39 percent of a building’s total electrical load, businesses need energy-efficient lighting and lighting control solutions to maximize savings, facilitate code compliance, enhance safety and security, and increase convenience and productivity. These systems contribute to the overall rating of an HPB and are based on such environmental factors as occupancy, ambient light, and time of day. By customizing an environment, comfort and productivity can be improved.

Lighting is one of the most attractive ways to save energy. Advancements in lamp, ballast, and control technologies have allowed lighting users to benefit from the most energy-efficient, cost-effective, long-lasting, and high-quality lighting systems to date. The use of compact fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts is a growing trend in HPBs. Together, they improve visual quality and produce higher light output levels with less energy use.

Lighting can also make buildings more secure when integrated with building security and alarm systems. Energy performance is optimized when employing strategies like daylighting, multi-level, and plug-load controls; manual-on and occupancy sensors; dimmers; and other devices. They can reduce lighting energy usage up to 52 percent.

Sensors and dimmers are key components in meeting the automatic lighting shut-off and switching requirements of ASHRAE, IECC (International Energy Conservation Code), and California Code of Regulations Title 24. Sensors using passive infrared (PIR) and/or ultrasonic sensing technologies ensure that energy is not being wasted in unoccupied spaces. Dimmers allow end users to control light levels by limiting output, resulting in energy savings of up to 15 percent.


Emerging TechnologiesDigital Lighting ControlsWhen integrated with the building design, digital lighting controls enable an intelligent, optimized system that maximizes energy efficiency. This offers distinct advantages in an HPB, like simplified wiring, local and global zone control, and even two-way communication.

When lighting controls are used properly, energy will be saved and the life of lamps and ballasts can be extended.

Advanced lighting control systems:

Reduce energy ■Self configure to the most energy-efficient ■operationProvide convenient, energy-saving control ■of dimmed and switched loadsMonitor lighting and plug load ■Are easy, fast, and economical to install ■and use

Photo courtesy of WattStopper


LED Parking Garage luminaire using PIR occupancy sensor for Hi/Lo control at UC Davis Mondavi Center. This lighting control strategy saved 30 percent of the lighting energy. (Source: California Lighting Technology Center)

Interconnect wirelessly or by using ■standard low-voltage cablesDim lighting as the ambient light level ■increasesReduce the amount of power used during ■peak demandReduce the number of hours per year that ■lights are on Reduce internal heat gains, which reduces ■cooling needs Provide flexibility in multi-use rooms ■Allow occupants greater control in saving ■energyProvide excellent return on investment ■

Fixture-Integrated Lighting ControlsThis emerging technology involves embedding occupancy or daylighting sensors into a light fixture for providing Hi/Lo lighting control. This strategy has great potential for places where, for reasons of safety and security, some lighting should be available all of the time—outdoor parking lots and walkways, and stairwells, for example, where it can provide an additional 30 percent lighting energy savings.

When this feature is used primarily in standby mode, fixtures can provide the minimum light levels required for codes, safety, user preferences, or security requirements during unoccupied periods and also provide full light output during occupied periods. This type of application produces energy savings of 50 to 80 percent.


Case Study:

Southeast Distribution Center, Conyers, Georgia

Problem: Rising energy costs and new lighting technology provided an opportunity to redesign the lighting in a 30-year-old facility.

Solution: Replaced metal halide fixtures with fluorescent lighting system with occupancy sensors.

Results:Reduced lighting maintenance cost ■Reduced energy 40 percent below ■ASHRAE 90.1-2004Improved aisle lighting quality ■43 percent reduction in energy usage ■Annual energy savings: $93,000 ■Payback: 2.2 years ■ROI: 44 percent ■Decrease: 20 percent kW ■EPAct qualification: $304,000 ■Reduced CO ■ 2 emission: 2.6 million pounds

The new lighting installation provides quality illumination, and by integrating controls, we are realizing 43 percent reduction in our energy use. In addition, the occupancy controls are a constant reminder to our associates to minimize waste in their other activities, reinforcing our corporate commitment to environmental sustainability.

—Solutions Provider”

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4High-Efficiency Transformers

Transformers are an integral part of any HPB; electrical distribution directly affects energy consumption. DOE defines a transformer as “a device consisting of two or more coils of insulated wire that transfers alternating current by electromagnetic induction from one coil to another to change the original voltage or current value.” In simple language, a transformer just converts one electrical voltage to a different voltage to run a particular piece of equipment. High-efficiency transformers, typically dry-type transformers, are used in building electrical distribution systems to step-down incoming building voltage to a specific voltage, such as 277 volts to power lighting and other specialty systems. Much of the remaining building load, including heating and cooling systems, elevators, pumps, etc., are served at the same voltage as the building’s main electrical supply.

As the name implies, dry-type transformers do not contain liquid; they are cooled with air. Dry-type transformers can have efficiencies above 95 percent. Although this is relatively high, it means that five percent of the energy is turned directly into heat even before the electricity reaches its designated system. This, in turn, means that the cooling system needs

to work harder to dissipate waste heat (unless the transformer is in an unconditioned space).

Building transformers should be selected by lifecycle costs or total owning cost instead of first cost because building transformers typically last for 20 to 40 years

and because the cost of the energy consumed by

the transformer is significantly higher than the incremental cost of a high-efficiency transformer.

Photo courtesy of Hammond Solutions


NEMA literally set the standard for distribution transformers. NEMA TP 1-2002 Guide for Determining Energy Efficiency for Distribution Transformers sets the minimum efficiency levels for both dry-type and liquid-filled distribution transformers. These

efficiency levels for low-voltage dry-type transformers were adopted by DOE in 2005 under Rule 10 CFR Part 430.

To support the growing interest in HPBs, NEMA recently developed even higher efficiency levels for low-voltage dry-type distribution transformers under its Premium Efficiency Transformer Program. This program calls for efficiency levels either 15 percent or 30 percent higher than the base levels set in TP 1. Furthermore, ASHRAE supports using these 30 percent more efficient transformers in HPBs, and their use is expected to grow.

Most, if not all, of the electricity used in a building is provided by the local utility or other service provider. This power is fed to the building through a distribution transformer that converts the utility’s distribution voltage (typically 12,000 volts, 19,900 volts, or 34,500 volts) down to the service voltage to the building (typically 480 volts or 240 volts). The efficiency of these transformers is critical to the overall energy and CO2 footprint of the building.

DOE has established a new rule (10 CFR Part 431) for the efficiency of these units, effective January 1, 2010. The exact efficiency requirement is dependent on the size of the transformer and the voltages of the transformer. For new transformers manufactured after January 1, the efficiencies will often be greater than 98 percent.


Unlike dry-types, utility transformers are normally liquid-filled, also called liquid-immersed. A substance, such as oil, is used to transfer the heat from the transformer coil to the shell or box of the transformer. Often, the transformer will have fins or even fans on

the outside to improve the cooling process, particularly if the transformer is installed in a poorly ventilated area.

For large buildings, the power supply and the associated transformers are three-phase, which can be used directly to power large motors and compressors, like those used for cooling systems or industrial applications. For other loads, the three phases are split into various circuits throughout the building. In almost all cases in the U.S., the distribution frequency is 60 hertz alternating current.

Photos courtesy of ABB

Features and Benefits

NEMA Premium ■ ® low-voltage dry-type transformers provide greater energy efficiency than those specified by DOE, and lead to greater savingsMedium-voltage dry-type transformers ■that are compliant with 2010 DOE efficiency standards mean higher efficiencies that lead to energy and cost savingsTransformers with optimum efficiency ■can contribute toward achieving LEEDTM (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credit High-efficiency transformers reduce ■the need for additional energy production and associated greenhouse gasesEnergy-efficient transformers reduce a ■building’s carbon footprint


5 Infrastructure, Wiring Systems, and Raceways

The concept of HPBs encompasses not just day-to-day energy savings, but also sustainability and the ability of the structure to minimize impact on the environment. Infrastructure techniques, like wiring controls, that are used in building construction influence the time, energy, and efforts needed to maintain the facility as well as the ability to address requirements to modify and reconfigure the building as needs change.

The flexibility of modular wiring offers a unique set of characteristics that can prove valuable in the long-term sustainability of HPBs, particularly in commercial and industrial applications. Flexible wiring systems offer great savings in the design and installation process. Since they are not permanently affixed to the building, they can be reused and reconfigured during remodeling.

When reviewing the overall building impact of construction techniques, modular wiring should be considered as a significant contributor to overall sustainability through its potential for flexibility and elimination of waste.

This concept is not limited to the consideration for a single building. Modular wiring not utilized in a building reconfiguration can be used in other buildings, or stored for future use, eliminating potential wiring waste.

The expanded use of controls enables some modular wiring systems to carry a separate control wire to signal equipment on the wiring run to change state, normally to a lower energy level. This eliminates the need to separately run control wires, saving additional labor and hardware to handle another wiring system.

As a cable heats up, the resistance of the cable increases. Therefore, the use of a ventilated cable management system, rather than a closed conduit system, will cool the operation and provide energy savings of as much as 15 percent.

Wiring pathway solutions that boost installation productivity and increase end-user or tenant flexibility are central to what defines an HPB infrastructure.


Examples of infrastructure, wiring systems, and raceways applications that deliver these capabilities include:

Vertical Columns. ■ Architectural columns provide high-capacity wire and cable feeds to deliver power and communications services while preserving open space environments. Well-situated and attractive columns define internal spaces while advancing the use of daylighting and other energy-saving techniques.

Perimeter Raceway. ■ Surface raceway systems manage wires and cables on the wall instead of inside of it—as a result, wall and insulation integrity is preserved. Moves, additions, and changes are more easily accomplished without the need to penetrate walls to pull wires and cables.

Raised Floor Components. ■ Products including boxes, modular wiring systems, and wire basket cable trays are all compatible with underfloor displacement air ventilation systems. Raised floor components provide point-of-use activations for multiple power and communications devices. These components are easily relocated to accommodate changing space requirements.

Infloor Applications. ■ Poke-through devices, infloor duct systems, and floor boxes bring services closer to the user in open spaces, enabling increased daylighting for employee productivity. These solutions combine high capacity with flexibility for the operational improvements and dynamic nature of HPB environments.

Techniques used in building construction influence the time, energy, and efforts needed to maintain the facility as well as the ability to address requirements to modify and reconfigure the building as needs change over time.


Case Study:

City of East Chicago, Indiana, Public Safety Building

Rigid galvanized conduit was specified for areas where the conduit would be subject to physical damage, and electrical metallic tubing was installed behind the walls and above ceilings. In addition to providing physical protection to conductors, steel conduit and EMT also have a high recycled content. Average total recycled content is 63 percent; post-consumer recycled content averages 41 percent, and pre-consumer recycled content averages 19 percent.

While steel can be produced by either of two methods—BOF (basic oxygen furnace) or EAF (electric arc furnace), neither is considered environmentally superior. At end of life, steel conduit is 100 percent recyclable.

Problem: The building accommodates a 911 emergency dispatch center, a police station with detention wing, and an emergency medical

service personnel group—all of which rely on sophisticated communications equipment. The most important consideration was preventing high-power currents from affecting sensitive communications systems.

Solution: Steel conduit and electrical metallic tubing (EMT)

Provides EMF/EMI (electromagnetic field/ ■electromagnetic interference) shieldingProvides superior mechanical protection ■of conductorsContributes to sustainability ■


Steel conduit contributes to physical ■properties and lifecycle cost advantages. The use of steel conduit in a building ensures that if a circuit has to be replaced or added, it is easy to pull out conductors and replace them while keeping the conduit intact. Over the life of the building, this sustainable characteristic of steel conduit permits great flexibility and reduces renovation/replacement costs.

Results:Steel conduit shields against EMI by ■effectively reducing EMF levels for enclosed power distribution circuits. A research study conducted by Georgia ■Tech showed that steel conduit can reduce EMFs at 60 Hz power frequency levels by as much as 95 percent. Steel conduit reduces EMFs that may ■be created by electron flow through the conductors inside the conduit; this in turn can affect the performance of computers and other sophisticated electronic equipment. Steel conduit also shields the conductors ■inside the conduit from being affected by external electromagnetic fields.

[Our aim was] to provide the owner with at least an 80-year lifespan. Including steel conduit in the design is a key step toward that goal. DLZ recognizes that the use of steel conduit may mean slightly higher initial costs. However, we also know that the initial installed cost will be offset by significant savings in both lifecycle and maintenance costs.

—DLZ Architectural, Engineering, and Environmental Firm”

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6 Electrical Safety and Protection Solutions

Electrical products that increase safety for personnel and equipment in HPB applications are important to account for in any design and requirements review. Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) receptacles make a building safer by preventing injuries from electrical shock. GFCI protection is required by the National Electrical Code® in a number of places, including but not limited to bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor locations.

GFCI receptacles detect electrical current that is leaking into the ground. For example, someone operating a power tool with frayed wiring is at risk of electrocution. The GFCI receptacle would detect any current flowing from the tool through the operator and de-energize the circuit. A GFCI receptacle is required to detect current leaks as small as 5 milliamps, which is below the level that is harmful to people.

Surge protective devices (SPDs) can be installed at building entrances, at key distribution points, or within individual receptacles. SPDs provide protection from harmful energy surges that could permanently damage any sensitive electronic equipment that is plugged into them.

These devices limit transient voltages by diverting surge current to a path away from the equipment. They are also designed for repeated limiting of transient voltage surges.

The ability to reset the installed protection device actually increases productivity of the building maintenance team—the need to replace the unit is infrequent when compared to one-time protection solutions.

HPB designers should keep the following criteria and construction applications in mind:

Electrical installations should be designed ■and installed in accordance with the most recent edition of the NEC (NFPA 70).Electrical equipment should be certified by ■an accredited product testing organization to the most recent edition of the applicable American National Standard.Electrical installations should be inspected ■for compliance with the installation code by a qualified electrical inspector.Work practices should be performed ■in accordance with the latest edition of Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace (NFPA 70E).


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Signaling Protection Devices, Security Systems, and Emergency Systems

HPBs are designed for energy efficiency, comfort and productivity, and safety. Protecting a building’s occupants starts with risk assessment of all mitigating factors, including fire safety, intrusion detection, access control, video monitoring, appropriate equipment, operational procedures, and personnel.

Many building automation systems have alarm capabilities that can be programmed to notify a computer, pager, or cellular phone, in addition to sounding an audible signal.

Smoke and FireFire protection and smoke detection save lives and reduce costs. Detection performance in HPBs has taken safety to state-of-the-art status with the development of multi-criteria technology. As the name suggests, these products use sensors to detect threats from several fire phenomena (e.g., visible/invisible and black/white smoke, aerosols, and temperature). The technology has an improved capability to distinguish between actual threats (e.g., fire, toxic gases) and deceptive phenomena (e.g., humidity, dust, cigarette smoke, welding, spray aerosols).

The use of multi-criteria smoke detectors actually translates to considerable savings: the more criteria examined by the smoke detector, the smaller the chance of unwanted alarms. And unwanted alarms are costly. Some studies equate paying 100 employees for one hour as the minimum expense to evacuate, check, and ascertain the safety of a building.

Alarms and SecurityFire alarm systems, lighting, ventilation, elevators, and other systems may all be linked through the building management system. For example, if a fire is detected, the BMS can send all the elevators to the ground floor while audio systems direct individuals to leave the premises. The integration of these systems helps to ensure safety in the midst of a critical situation.

Security is a vital part of an HPB. Video surveillance systems, especially those enhanced with Internet protocols, can track and identify threats to a facility; access building controls; detect intruders, floods, and fires; and prevent sensitive materials from getting in the wrong hands. They also aid in protecting employees from harassment or attack as well as send out calls for assistance.


High Performance SafetySophisticated security systems may include:

Access control (turnstiles and doors) ■Monitored windows and doors ■Motion detectors ■Closed-circuit television ■Automatic lights ■

Signaling protection and communication devices include:

Audible and visual signals (bells, horns, ■speakers, and strobes) Automatic detectors for fire protection and ■other life safety hazards (heat, smoke, flame, gas, biohazard detectors, etc.) Smoke, carbon monoxide, and ■combination alarms


ABCs of HPBs

ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers

BMS Building Management System

BOF Basic Oxygen Furnace

DOE Department of Energy

EAF Electric Arc Furnace

EIA Energy Information Administration

EISA Energy Independence and Security Act

EMF Electromagnetic Field

EMI Electromagnetic Interference

EMT Electrical Metallic Tubing

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

EPAct Energy Policy Act

FEMP Federal Energy Management Program

FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

GFCI Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupter

HPB High Performance Building

HPBC High Performance Building Council

HPCGBP High Performance Commercial Green Building Partnership

HVAC Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning

IECC International Energy Conservation Code

NEC National Electrical Code®

NEMA National Electrical Manufacturers Association

NIBS National Institute of Building Sciences

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology

NZEB Net-Zero Energy Building

PIR Passive Infrared

SPD Surge Protective Device


NEMA is leading the way in high performance building technologies. It is a founding member of the Congressional Caucus Coalition and the High Performance Commercial Green Building Partnership (HPCGBP), public policy organizations that provide guidance and technical leadership on sustainability issues to Congress and the Department of Energy Building Technology Program. HPCGBP was established to implement a net-zero commercial building initiative within DOE.

NEMA’s High Performance Buildings Council has also been actively identifying business opportunities for NEMA members and promoting member products that are already on the market for both new construction and the retrofit of existing facilities. NEMA has worked closely with other organizations to define attributes of high performance buildings.

For more information, visit www.nema.org/hpb.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1752, Rosslyn, VA 22209 703.841.3200 • www.nema.org/hpb

Documents

High Performance Buildings (HPB)