Certified January 2008
Site
The project site was originally a paved yard within the APS Ocotillo Power Generating Station site located at 1500 East University Avenue, Tempe Arizona. This site was used for power generation for many years.
When the project was graded, the existing paving was cut just large enough for construction and, other than the building footprint and sidewalk/parking hardscape, this cut was replaced with decomposed granite to reduce site runoff.
Negotiations with the City of Tempe resulted in reduced requirements for landscape plantings, and those used were all from the xeriscape palette to reduce irrigation requirements.
The locale receives 9.36” average precipitation annually and is currently 3.98” of precipitation into a drought according to the NOAA Palmer Drought Index. Due to the City of Tempe requirement for a permanent irrigation system as well as ongoing drought conditions, a CIR for WEc1.1, 1.2 – Water Efficient Landscaping was sought and granted, 2/21/2007. The irrigation system will be used to establish the plantings and only to make up the deficit indicated by the Palmer Drought Index. In addition, a separate meter was included for the irrigation system and the meter will be logged along with supporting data to verify the use of irrigation only in these exceptional cases.
Only 7 new parking spaces were constructed where zoning called for 39 spaces. Parking requirements were met by utilizing an existing paved utility truck yard adjacent to the site. The closest parking spaces were designated for alternative fuel vehicle employee parking.
The site is adjacent to public transportation (bus lines), and has been designed with showers and changing rooms.
The metal roof was specified to meet SSc7.2-Heat Island – Roof reflectivity and emissivity requirements.
All building and site lighting meet the SSc8-Light Pollution Reduction requirements. The locality has “Dark Skies” ordinances that require these light trespass requirements.
Building
The building is a pre-engineered steel structure with a low-slope roof. Approximately 20% of the 16,000 SF on the south end are dedicated to parts storage and accessible only from the exterior. The remaining space is divided between a dividable training room and service center open & private office spaces.
Higher R-value assemblies were incorporated into the walls and roof.
Double-pane, lo-e coated glazing was utilized throughout and arranged to provide access to views for over 90% of the occupants.
The population of the facility is, as are all APS Service Centers, weighted towards a significantly larger male population. Due to this, the water efficiency numbers are revised away from a 50/50 male/female balance to match the actual occupancy. See the WE narratives for details.
Plumbing
The facility uses waterless urinals and dual-flush water closets. Also utilized are restricted flow lavatory fixtures that are self-closing. The showers are water efficient fixtures also, as well as the kitchen faucet and the janitors sink fixture.
HVAC
Two Energy Recovery Ventilators are included in the design to recapture cooling. Higher efficiency heat pumps were utilized.
Lighting
Lighting was designed well below the ASHRAE-IESNA requirements and task lighting is provided at all workstations to provide individual lighting control for all office personnel. Lighting levels are adjustable in multi-user training rooms.
Energy & Atmosphere
Commissioning
Both Fundamental and Additional Commissioning are being performed.
Energy Performance
Design Energy Cost and Energy Cost Budget modeling have been done showing the energy performance is over 30% below the ASHRAE 90.1 requirements and meets the LEED-NC requirement as well as earning an additional 4 credit points.
Energy savings were accomplished through the use of higher efficiency heat pumps, adding 2 ERV’s, increasing the wall and roof R-values, and reducing the lighting load below the IESNA-ASHRAE requirements.
CFC’s
No CFC’s are used in any of the installed equipment.
Materials & Resources
Recyclables
Recycling collection is done via a central recycling collection area as well as recycling boxes at each employee’s desk. All APS trash is collected from individual sites and delivered to a contract recycler who segregates all materials into recoverable recyclables and disposes of the remaining trash.
Construction Waste
75% of construction waste will have been diverted by the project completion.
Recycled Content
The recycled content will have exceeded 10% by the project completion.
Certified Wood
More than 50% of wood-based materials are FSC certified.
Indoor Environmental Quality
Minimum IAQ Performance
ASHRAE-62 requirements have been met in the design.
Environmental Tobacco Control
Arizona law does not permit smoking near entrances, air intakes, nor in public places or places of employment. Smoking in or within 25’ of APS buildings is not permitted by Company Policy.
Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control
The janitor’s closet has floor to overhead partitions, a dedicated exhaust fan with required static pressure requirements and the sink is plumbed appropriately for cleaning waste solution disposal.
In addition, walk-off mats are provided at all high-use entrances and are cleaned periodically under corporate-wide janitorial contracts.
Thermal Comfort
No humidity control is required in the Arizona climate zone. Thermal comfort levels are provided via locally operable thermostats.
Daylight & Views
Views are provided for 90% of occupied spaces.