Lansdale Elementary School Earns Three Rare 'Green Globes' Honor

LANSDALE – Hatfield Elementary School has officially achieved 3 Green Globes, a level of green design success matched in Pennsylvania only by the 3 Green Globes earned for the North Penn School District’s first Green Globe project at Inglewood Elementary School, the district announced.

The Green Globes system is a revolutionary building environmental design and management tool, the district said. It delivers an online assessment protocol, rating system and guidance for green building design, operation and management. It is interactive, flexible and affordable, and provides market recognition of a building’s environmental attributes through third-party verification.

There are only two other 3 Green Globes elementary schools in the nation, one of which is located in Colorado, which was the first to reach 3 Green Globes back in 2008 at a time when requirements were much less stringent.

Since then, nationally, the only elementary schools to achieve 3 Green Globes have been Inglewood Elementary School and Hatfield Elementary School. In Pennsylvania, North Penn School District has the only 3 Green Globes elementary schools to date.

These are the details of the buildings, according to the district:

BUILDING FEATURES

Project Management

• An integrated design approach was implemented throughout the design process
• This is about the 10th School project in the North Penn School district where the design team incorporates successful aspects of previous projects while looking to add new features with a focus on energy savings.
• The project team exceeded requirements for Indoor Air Quality; a 14 day flush-out was completed prior to the occupants use.

Site

• An underground storm water detention facility was designed and installed to control and infiltrate storm water on site.
• The site provides access to bike paths and a direct link to an existing sidewalk system that serves the local neighborhood.

Energy

• The new HVAC system design achieved an Energy Star rating of 96 with an estimated energy and Green House Gas emissions to be 49% better than the median.
• A sophisticated Building Management System was installed to allow complete monitoring of all HVAC aspects of the project. Such as current status of all equipment, CO2 readings, fan operation percentages among other data points. These systems are excellent to ensure that all systems are working within design parameters and eases maintenance of systems by providing real time operational feedback.
• Thermal resistance of walls and roof were restored to meet the International Energy Conservation Code.

Water

• Water performance calculations indicate a 33.8% water savings vs a baseline building.
• Plant selections were made appropriate to the region and to not require irrigation.

Emissions

• The Boilers are NOx and low CO to reduce emissions.
• The primary refrigerants are R-410 and are considered to be “near zero” ozone depleting.
• A new mechanical room provides adequate space for maintenance on equipment and filter changing.

Indoor Environment

• Foot pads are provide to the HVAC equipment that is located on the roof which is accessed via a ladder and hatch. There is also equipment above the gym with access via a well thought out service catwalk. This allows for convenient access for maintenance.
• Electrical lighting is fully integrated with daylighting and occupancy sensors, daily and seasonal variations control strategies. Local lighting control is available in all spaces.
• The use of Light Tubes provides natural light to interior classrooms. Controls to increase or decrease the amount of daylight via a switch is located for occupant use.
• The use of CO2 sensors to control ventilation was implemented in high occupancy areas such as the gym, cafeteria and library.
• Materials with a low VOC content were used including: paint, carpet, adhesives, and flooring.
• The building automation system is designed to control temperature and humidity levels to prevent fungus, mold or bacteria growth.

A plaque in honor of Hatfield’s Green Globes will be presented to the Board of School Directors and Administration at Board of School Directors meeting later in the Spring.