LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building,
home or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high
performance in key areas of human and environmental health, sustainable site development,
water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
Comprehensive and flexible, LEED works throughout a building's life cycle as it does
at Augusta University, Dental College of Georgia.
Has highly reflective green roofing system:
The roofing on the CODM has a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) of 75 or greater, which
means the roof has high solar reflectance so that very little solar heat is absorbed.
In Augusta's warm climate, this greatly reduces energy consumption because it requires
less energy to cool the building's interior.
Water closets (toilets) in the building use a maximum of 1.3 gallons of water per
flush and urinals use a maximum of 0.1 gallons per flush.
Restroom faucets use a maximum of 0.5 gallons of water per minute.
Shower heads in the building use 1.8 gallons of water per minute.
Uses green power:
The school is offsetting 70 percent of the building's electricity consumption for
a minimum of 2 years. This is being done through a group called Carbon Solutions Group
who is a Green-e certified provider of Renewable Energy Credits
Many of the materials used to construct the building came from nearby locations.
The recycled content of materials in the building is over 20%
Using indigenous resources cut down on environmental impacts such as CO2 emissions.
Over 20 percent (calculated by material cost) of building materials and products were
both extracted and manufactured within 500 miles of the building site. (i.e., concrete,
plywood, insulation materials, gypsum wallboard, metal framing, tile, carpet just
to name a few).
Over 53 percent of the wood products used in the building (excluding furniture) have
chain-of-custody certification which certifies that the wood came from sources that
practice responsible forestry.
Provides a healthy environment for building visitors and occupants by providing a
non-smoking environment.
The building monitors and maintains a minimum amount of fresh air brought in from
outside.
CO2 sensors are located in each space with occupant densities of 25 people or more
per 1000 square feet. Each CO2 monitor connects to the building automation control
system and generates an alarm when the threshold PPM is reached.
Low-emitting materials such as carpet, paints and adhesives have low or no levels
of (VOCs) Volatile Organic Compounds which are harmful to health and environment.
VOCs are emitted as gases from certain materials which produce that “new building
smell”. Often, VOCs in building products continue to be released long after they have
been installed.
Light controls:
The building reduces energy consumption through daylight sensors and individually-controlled
task lights at desks and workstations. Occupants can control their own light levels
with individual desk lamps. Motion sensors in community areas turn lights off when
rooms are not in use. Window shades allow daylight to enter the building, but control
direct glare.
Permeable paving on the nearby campus parking lot
Permeable pavement allows water to be absorbed into the ground to recharge the aquifer
and also provides filtration for the water before it reenters the environment.
Installed bike racks:
Bike racks on site provide a location for building users to secure their bikes, and
encourage a carbon-free means of travel.
Recycles all cardboard, plastic, aluminum and white paper.
