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Dear NAA/NMHC Members,
Yesterday the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved the much-anticipated National Green Building Standard (NGBS). It is the first and only consensus-based green building standard for residential properties. NAA/NMHC were instrumental in having the standard expanded to include apartments and the residential portions of mixed-use developments.
The NGBS has been a top priority for NAA/NMHC. Until now, apartment firms considering building green have had to follow guidelines designed for either high-rise commercial properties or single-family houses. As a result of our participation in the standards development process, this is the only green criteria based on input from the apartment sector.
The NGBS will serve dual purposes. Not only will it provide apartment firms with uniform guidance on green building practices appropriate for low-, mid- and high-rise apartment construction, it will also offer local jurisdictions an alternative to non-standardized green rating systems (like the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED criteria). This is increasingly important given the growing number of states and localities considering mandatory green building requirements.
Importantly, because the NGBS was a joint effort by the International Code Council and the National Association of Home Builders, the NGBS is the only green rating system specifically written to be compatible with existing building codes.
ANSI approval was the final step in the standard’s development process. Although final review of the standard has taken longer than expected, ANSI’s seal of approval is critical to lend credibility to the standard. ANSI certification confirms that this standard is not an “industry-generated” document, but was developed through a rigorous process requiring public input, a diversity of participants, consensus and due process.
NAA/NMHC's April 11, 2008 AIMS Building Codes Update provides members with an overview of the key elements of the NGBS. It is available here on the NAA Web site.
Best wishes,
Jim Arbury
NAA/NMHC Senior Vice President of Government Affairs |