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Long-spans amplify the collaborative
relationship between architects and engineers
By: Richard C. Master, AIA, CSI
Chair Emeritus, Specifications and Building Technology, Professional
Interest Area (PIA), AIA
Manager, Architectural Systems
USG Corporation
Cement Board Panels
Cement board, a water-durable, multiuse panel commonly used
as a backer for ceramic tile, is made from approximately 20
percent recycled materials, including fly ash. Fly ash is
a waste stream material from power plant emission control
processes that features cement-like properties. It is produced
by electrical power companies in the combustion of coal and
other solid fuels, and is subsequently purchased by cement
board producers and used to manufacture the cement board panel
core.
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LEED: A SUSTAINABLE RATING SYSTEM
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The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a diverse
coalition of principal groups involved in the building
industry, was established in 1993. The council’s
mission is to promote buildings that are environmentally
responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and
work.
Developed by the USGBC, the Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) program created a building
rating system to evaluate environmental performance
from a “whole building” perspective, providing
a standard for what constitutes a green building. Credits
are earned for satisfying specific building criteria.
The LEEDTM Rating System evaluates the environmental
performance of a building, awarding points for:
- Sustainable sites
- Water efficiency
- Energy and atmosphere
- Materials and resources
- Indoor environmental quality
- Innovation and design process
Within “Materials and Resources” for example,
points are awarded for specifying a certain percentage
of building materials that contain a specified percentage
of post-industrial recycled content or post-consumer
recycled content. Points are also awarded for specifying
materials that are manufactured regionally within a
certain radius.
The LEEDTM Reference Package includes an extensive
reference guide and rating system and is available to
order at: www.usgbc.org
or write: U.S. Green Building Council, 1015 18th St.,
N.W., Suite 805, Washington, D.C. 20036, or call (202)
828-7422.
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