CHAPTER 6 :

STUDY OF GRIHA FOR

INDIA RATING SYSTEM AS
A FRAMEWORK FOR
SUSTAINABLE HOUSING
DESIGN & ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
 CHAPTER 6
STUDY OF GRIHA FOR INDIA RATING SYSTEM AS A
FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE HOUSING
DESIGN & ENERGY EFFICIENCY

6.0 INTRODUCTION
There are many internationally devised rating systems to suit the building
industry of the country. In India TERI, (The Energy & Resource Institute) has taken
the responsibility of acting as a driving force to popularize green buildings by
developing a tool for measuring and rating a building’s environmental performance
in the context of India’s varied climate and building practices. This tool, by its
qualitative and quantitative assessment criteria, is able to ‘rate’ a building on the
degree of its ‘greenness’. This rating evaluates the environmental performance of a
building holistically over its entire life cycle, thereby providing a definitive standard
for what constitutes a ‘green building’.

The rating system, based on accepted energy and environmental principles,

seeks to strike a balance between the established practices and emerging concepts,
both national and international. These guidelines/criteria appraisal are revised every
three years to take into account the latest scientific developments during this period.
On a broader scale, this system, along with the activities and processes that lead up
to it, benefits the community at large with the improvement in the environment by
reducing GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, improving energy security, and reducing
the stress on natural resources.

The GRIHA rating applies to new building stock – commercial, institutional,

and residential – of varied functions. It has been endorsed by the Ministry of New
and Renewable Energy, Government of India as of November 1 2007, GRIHA is a
five star rating system for green buildings which emphasizes on passive solar
techniques for optimizing indoor ,visual and thermal comfort. In order to address
energy efficiency, GRIHA encourages optimization of building design to reduce

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conventional energy demand and further optimize energy performance of the

building within specified comfort limits.

A building is assessed on its predicted performance over its entire life cycle
from inception through operation. GRIHA has been developed as an indigenous
building rating system, particularly to address and assess non-air conditioned or
partially air conditioned buildings.

GRIHA has been developed to rate commercial, institutional and residential

buildings in India emphasizing national environmental concerns, regional climatic
conditions, and indigenous solutions.

GRIHA stresses passive solar techniques for optimizing visual and thermal
comfort indoors, and encourages the use of refrigeration-based and energy-
demanding air conditioning systems only in cases of extreme thermal discomfort.

GRIHA integrates all relevant Indian codes and standards for buildings and
acts as a tool to facilitate implementation of the same.

6.1 THE BASIC FEATURES IN GRIHA

GRIHA system has been developed to ‘design and evaluate’ new buildings
(buildings that are still at the inception stages). A building is assessed based on its
predicted performance over its entire life cycle — from inception to operation. The
stages of the life cycle that have been identified for evaluation are pre-construction,
building design and construction, and building O&M (operation and maintenance).
The issues that are addressed in these stages are as follows.
- Pre-construction stage (intra- and inter-site issues)
- Building planning and construction stages (issues of resource conservation
and reduction in resource demand, resource utilization efficiency, resource
recovery and reuse, and provisions for occupant health and well-being). The
prime resources that are considered in this section are land, water, energy,
air, and green cover.

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- Building O&M stage (issues of O&M of building systems and processes,

monitoring and recording of consumption, and occupant health and well-
being, and also issues that affect the global and local environment)

6.2 BRIEF CRITERIA FOR RATING VARIOUS CLAUSES

There are 34 nos. of criteria which have been categorized as follows.

Sustainable site planning

Conservation and efficient utilization of resources

Objective
To maximize the conservation and utilization of resources (land, water,
natural habitat, avid fauna, and energy) and enhance efficiency of the systems and
operations.

Criterion 1 Site selection. The site plan must be in conformity with the
development plan / master plan / UDPFI guidelines & the site should be located
within ½ km radius of an existing bus stop, commuter rail, light rail or metro station.

Criterion 2 Preserve and protect landscape during construction .Preserve existing

vegetation by means of non-disturbance or damage to trees and other forms of
vegetation

Criterion 3 Soil conservation (till post-construction) . Proper topsoil laying,

stabilization of the soil, and maintenance of adequate fertility of the soil to support
vegetative growth.

Criterion 4 Design to include existing site features. To minimize the disruption

of the natural ecosystem and design to harness maximum benefits of the prevailing
micro-climate.

Criterion 5 Reduce hard paving on-site and/or provide shaded hard-paved

surfaces. To minimize storm water run-off by reducing hard paving on-site.

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Criterion 6 Enhance outdoor lighting system efficiency and use renewable

energy system for meeting outdoor lighting requirements. Meet minimum allowable
luminous efficacy (as per lamp type) and make use of a
renewable- energy-based lighting system.

Criterion 7 Plan utilities efficiently and optimize on-site circulation efficiency

Minimize road and pedestrian walkway length by appropriate planning and provide
aggregate corridors for utility lines.

Health and well-being

Objective
To protect the health of construction workers and prevent pollution.

Criterion 8 Providing minimum level of sanitation/safety facilities for

construction workers. Ensuring cleanliness of workplace with regard to the disposal
of waste and effluent, providing clean drinking water and latrines and urinals as per
applicable standard.

Criterion 9 Reducing air pollution during construction. Ensuring proper

screening, covering stockpiles, covering brick and loads of dusty materials, wheel
washing facility, and water spraying facility.

Building planning and construction

Conservation and efficient utilization of resources

Objectives
To maximize resource (water, energy, and materials) conservation and
enhance efficiency of the system and operations.

Criterion 10 Reducing landscape water requirement. Landscape using native

species and reduce lawn areas while enhancing the irrigation efficiency and reducing
the water requirement for landscaping purposes.

Criterion 11 Reducing water use in the building. Reducing building water use by
applying low-flow fixtures and other similar tools.

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Criterion 12 Efficient water use during construction. Using materials such as pre-
mixed concrete for preventing loss during mixing. Using recycled treated water and
controlling the waste curing water. Efforts to minimize potable water use for
construction

Energy: end use

Criterion 13 Optimizing building design to reduce conventional energy demand
Planning appropriately to reflect climate responsiveness, including adequate day
lighting as well as efficient artificial lighting.

Criterion 14 Optimizing energy performance of building within specified comfort

limits Ensuring that the building complies with the mandatory compliance
requirement of ECBC 2007 and meet thermal comfort conditions as per NBC 2005
as well as minimum benchmark for EPI as per GRIHA.

Energy: embodied and construction

Criterion 15 Utilization of fly-ash in building structure. Use of fly-ash for RCC
(reinforced cement concrete) structures with in-fill walls and load bearing structures,
mortar, and binders. Minimum 15% replacement of Portland cements with fly-ash
(by weight of cement used) in structural concrete,

Criterion 16 Reducing volume, weight, and construction time by adopting

efficient technologies (such as pre-cast systems). Replace a part of the energy-
intensive materials with less energy-intensive materials and/or utilize regionally
available materials, which use low-energy/energy-efficient technologies.

Criterion 17 Using low-energy material in interiors. Minimum 70% in each of the

three categories of interiors (internal partitions, paneling/false ceiling/interior wood
finishes/in-built furniture door/window frames, flooring) from low-energy
materials/finishes to minimize the usage of wood.

Energy: Renewable
Criterion 18 Renewable energy utilization. Rated capacity of proposed renewable
energy systems is equal to or more than 1% of internal lighting and space

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conditioning connected loads and meets energy requirements for a minimum of 5%

of the internal lighting consumption (for general lighting or its equivalent from
renewable energy sources [solar, wind, biomass, fuel cell and others] ).

Criterion 19 Renewable-energy-based hot water system. Meet 20% or more of the

annual energy required for heating water through renewable energy based water-
heating systems.

Recycle, recharge, and reuse of water

Objective
To promote the recycle and reuse of water.

Criterion 20 Waste water treatment. To provide necessary treatment of water for

achieving the desired concentration of effluents. The treated water should meet the
disposal/reuse application standards.

Criterion 21 Water recycle and reuse (including rainwater). To provide on-site

waste water treatment for achieving prescribed concentration, rainwater harvesting,
reuse of treated waste water and rainwater for meeting the building’s water and
irrigation demands as per Central Ground Water Board norms.

Waste management
Objective
To minimize waste generation, streamline waste segregation, storage and
disposal; and also to promote resource recovery from waste.

Criterion 22 Reduction in waste during construction. Ensure maximum reduction

in waste generation during and reduce the burden on landfill. Also the segregation of
inert and hazardous wastes. Recycling and safe disposal of segregated wastes.

Criterion 23 Efficient waste segregation. To use different colored bins for

collecting different categories of waste from the building. Also to have the provision
of multi-colored bins for waste segregation at source.

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Criterion 24 Storage and disposal of wastes To allocate separate space for the
collected waste before transferring it to the recycling/disposal stations. Also to have
provision of space for hygienic storage of segregated waste.

Criterion 25 Resource recovery from waste. To employ resource recovery systems

for biodegradable waste as per the Solid Waste Management and Handling Rules,
2000 of the MoEF. Also to make arrangements for recycling of waste through local
dealers.

Health and well-being

Objective
To ensure healthy indoor air quality, water quality, and noise levels, and to
reduce the global warming potential.

Criterion 26 Low-VOC paints/adhesives/sealants. To use only low VOC paints in

the interior of the building & to use water–based rather than solvent-based sealants
and adhesives.

Criterion 27 Minimize ozone depleting substances. To employ & use 100% zero
ODP (ozone depletion potential) insulation, HCFC (hydrochloro-fluorocarbon)/ and
CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) free HVAC, and refrigeration equipment/and halon-free
fire suppression and fire extinguishing systems.

Criterion 28 Water quality. To ensure that water from all sources (such as
groundwater, municipal water, treated waste water) meets the water quality norms as
prescribed in the Indian Standards for various applications (Indian Standards for
drinking [IS 10500-1991], irrigation applications [IS 11624-1986]), cooling towers
(as given in NBC 2005) etc.

Criterion 29 Acceptable outdoor and indoor noise levels. To ensure that the
outdoor noise level strictly conforms to the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board)
and the indoor noise level conforms to the NBC (National Building Code of India)
2005

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Criterion 30 Tobacco smoke control. To ensure zero exposure to tobacco smoke

for non-smokers, and exclusive ventilation for smoking rooms.

Criterion 31 Providing at least the minimum level of accessibility for persons with
disabilities. To ensure the accessibility and usability of the building and its facilities
by the employees, visitors, and clients with disabilities. There should be compliance
with the National Building Code norms on requirements for planning of public
buildings meant for use of physically challenged.

Building operation and maintenance

Criterion 32 Energy audit and validation. The energy audit report has to be
prepared by the approved auditors of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE),
Government of India.

Criterion 33 Operation and maintenance. To validate and maintain ‘green’

performance levels/adopt and propagate green practices and concepts. It has to be
ensured that the inclusion of a specific clause in the contract document for the
commissioning of all electrical and mechanical systems is maintained by the owner,
supplier or operator. To provide a core facility/service management group which
will be responsible for the O&M of the building and the electrical and mechanical
systems after commissioning. The Owner/builder/ occupants/service or facility
management group has to prepare a fully documented operations and maintenance
manual, CD, multimedia or an information brochure listing the best practices/dos
and don’ts/maintenance requirements for the building and the electrical and
mechanical systems along with the names and addresses of the manufacturers
/suppliers of the respective system.

Innovation points
Criterion 34 Innovation points. Few innovation points should be adopted which
enhances the green intent of a project, like alternative green transportation,
environmental education, policy on green supply chain etc.

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6.3 EVALUATION SYSTEM OF GRIHA

GRIHA has a 100-point system consisting of some core points, which are
mandatory to be met, while the rest are non mandatory or optional points, which can
be earned by complying with the commitment of the criterion for which the point is
allocated. Different levels of certification (one star to five stars) are awarded based
on percentage of points earned. The minimum percentage required for certification
is 50. Buildings scoring 50–60 percentage points, 61–70 percentage points, 71–80
percentage points, and 81–90 percentage points will get one star, two stars, three
stars, and four stars, respectively. A building scoring 91–100 percentage points will
receive the maximum rating, which is five stars.

6.4 VARIOUS DETAILED CRITERIA FOR GRIHA RATING

6.4.1 SUSTAINABLE SITE PLANNING
The process of site selection in any project involves identifying and
analyzing the site with respect to the sustainable building design criteria. The most
sustainable and environment- sensitive development entails minimal site
disturbance. Resource conservation in a site is of prime importance. It requires
various measures such as appropriate site planning techniques, planning concepts
and design ,utilization of site resources, minimum on-site vehicular pollution, energy
efficient site lighting, and functional efficient utility lines.
Site selection is first step for a sustainable habitat and should be carried out so that
the living spaces are in harmony with the local environment. The project should not
damage the natural surroundings of the site but, in fact, should improve it by
restoring its balance. Thus, the site selection has to be carried out in light of a
holistic perspective of
- Preservation and optimal use of the environment
- Land use
- Development intensity
- Social well-being

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6.4.2 PRESERVING AND PROTECTING LANDSCAPE DURING

CONSTRUCTION
Preserving the existing landscape and protect it from degradation during the
process of construction. (in accordance with NBC 2005 Part 10) Selecting proper
timing for the construction activity to minimize site disturbance such as soil
pollution due to spilling of the construction material and its mixing with rainwater.
Protecting the top soil from erosion during construction. Preserving existing mature
trees on-site during the course of construction by preserving and transplanting them.
Compensating the loss of vegetation (trees) due to the construction activity by
compensatory plantation.

6.4.3 SOIL CONSERVATION (TILL POST-CONSTRUCTION)

Conserving the top soil till after completion of construction activity. (in
accordance with NBC 2005 Part 10) Ensuring adequate top soil laying & fertility of
the soil to support vegetative growth. Ensuring stabilization of soil in the area where
the topsoil is vulnerable to erosion.

6.4.4 DESIGN TO INCLUDE EXISTING SITE FEATURES

The natural functions of a plot of land (hydrologic, geologic, and
microclimatic) can be disrupted by the placement of a building on it. The designing
of the building involves protecting & restoring the natural site features. Site layout
to be done after carrying out detailed site analysis so as to ensure sustainable site
development in tune with its topographical, climatic, and ecological character
harnessing natural resources (like solar energy, wind, and water) and the potential
qualities of the landforms that could contribute to making different areas of the site
visually and thermally more comfortable for users. Locating various activities after
careful site analysis and assessment so as to protect ecologically sensitive areas and
reducing damage to the natural ecosystem. Identifying & rectifying areas of the site
that were damaged during construction.

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6.4.5 REDUCE HARD PAVING ON-SITE AND/OR PROVIDE SHADED

HARD-PAVED SURFACES
Reducing hard paving on-site (in open areas surrounding building premises)
and/or providing shade on hard-paved surfaces to minimize the heat island effect.
Net paved area of the site under parking, roads, paths, or any other use not to exceed
25% of the site area or net imperviousness of the site not to exceed the
imperviousness factor as prescribed by the National Building Code of India, Bureau
of Indian Standards, 2005; Part 9 (Plumbing services) Section 5.5.11.2.1

6.4.6 ENHANCING OUTDOOR LIGHTING SYSTEM EFFICIENCY AND

USING RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM
Enhancing energy efficiency of outdoor lighting and promoting the usage of
renewable forms of energy to reduce the use of conventional/fossil fuel based energy
resources. The Luminous efficiency of the external light sources used for outdoor
lighting shall be as specified:

All outdoor lighting to be fitted with an automatic on/off switch.

A minimum of 25% of the total number or 15% of the total connected load of
outdoor lighting fixtures (whichever is higher) to be powered by solar energy.
Outdoor lighting system includes
(i) security lighting,
(ii) street lighting,
(iii) landscape lighting,
(iv) façade lighting, and
(v) parking lighting.

6.4.7 PLANNING UTILITIES EFFICIENTLY AND OPTIMIZING ON-

SITE CIRCULATION EFFICIENCY
Reducing site disruption due to laying, maintaining utility lines, and
minimizing energy. Reducing transportation corridors on-site, thus reducing the
pollution loads. Designing site plan to minimize road length and building footprint.
Shading all pedestrian roads by vegetated roofs/any other shading devices.

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6.4.8 PROVIDING MINIMUM LEVEL OF SANITATION/SAFETY

FACILITIES FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS
Health and well-being
Construction activities are large polluters of environment. Large volumes of
suspended particulate matters are released during construction work leading to air
pollution. Unhygienic site sanitation facilities cause damage to the environment and
to the health of the construction workers. Ensuring the health and safety of workers
during construction, with effective provisions for the basic facilities such as
sanitation and drinking water, and safety of equipment or machinery. Complying
with the safety procedures, norms and guidelines as outlined in NBC 2005 (BIS
2005c). Providing clean drinking water to all workers. Providing adequate number
of decentralized latrines and urinals to construction workers.

6.4.9 REDUCING AIR POLLUTION DURING CONSTRUCTION

The dust generated by various construction site activities contribute
significantly to air pollution. Dust and outdoor air pollutants cause respiratory
problems. Good construction practices involve mitigation measures for prevention
or minimization of air pollution from construction activities. This criterion aims in
reducing air pollution due to on–site construction. Adopting measures to prevent air
pollution in the vicinity of the site due to construction activities. Preventing air
pollution (dust and smoke); ensuring that there will be adequate water supply/
storage for dust suppression; devising and arranging methods of working and
carrying out the work in such a manner so as to minimize the impact of dust on the
surrounding environment; and providing experienced personnel with suitable
training to ensure that these methods are implemented.

An integrated approach to building planning and construction is required to

achieve maximum benefit in terms of the environment. Appropriate interventions at
the design and construction stages are critical to any sustainable building. These
interventions lead to reduced demand for deplete able resources and efficient
resource utilization. Options for recycling and reuse of waste adds to the
sustainability of the building as a system.

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Conservation and efficient utilization of resources

Appropriate interventions at the planning and design stage can save valuable
resources (water, energy, and materials) throughout the life cycle of a building. The
following criteria aim to ensure saving such valuable resources.

6.4.10 REDUCING LANDSCAPE WATER REQUIREMENT

Reducing the landscape water requirement so as to minimize the load on the
municipal water supply and depletion of groundwater resources. Designing the
landscape so as to reduce water consumption by 30% or more (up to 50%) by
employing various measures like types of plants, landscape design, equipments etc.

BUILDING PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION

6.4.11 REDUCING THE WATER USE BY THE BUILDING

Reducing water consumption in the building by using efficient fixtures.
Reducing the total water consumption in the building (by 25% or more) by using
low-flow fixtures.

6.4.12 EFFICIENT WATER USE DURING CONSTRUCTION

Minimizing use of potable water during construction activity. Using
materials such as pre-mixed concrete for preventing water loss during mixing. Using
recycled treated water. Controlling the wastage of curing water .

6.4.13 OPTIMIZING BUILDING DESIGN TO REDUCE CONVENTIONAL

ENERGY DEMAND
Applying climate responsive building design measures, including day-
lighting and efficient artificial lighting design, in order to reduce the conventional
energy demand. In order to optimize the building design appropriate climate
responsive design strategies should be adopted, such as-
1 Optimizing the orientation of the building; and/ or
2 Placing the buffer spaces (such as- toilets, corridors, staircases, lifts and
service areas etc.) along western and eastern facades and/ or
3 Providing maximum openings on North and South; and/or

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4 Shading the building surfaces getting maximum solar exposure (such as wall,
roof, courtyard) with the use of external shading devices e.g space frames,
jallis, pergolas, trees, green wall, terrace garden etc. and/ or
5 Designing appropriate shading for all the fenestrations getting direct solar
radiation by using sun path analysis or shading norms (prescribed in the
table-9 & 10 of Handbook on functional requirements of buildings other than
industrial buildings) etc.

Ensuring that the WWR (window to wall ratio) is limited to a maximum of

60% of gross wall area and the SRR (skylight to roof ratio) is limited to a maximum
of 5% of gross roof area as prescribed in Energy Conservation Building Code
(ECBC)-2007.

Ensuring that the effective Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of the
fenestration (accounting for glazing, overhangs and/ or vertical fins) is compliant
with the maximum SHGC requirement prescribed by ECBC-2007.

Ensuring that the total day lighted area of the proposed building is > 25% of
the total living area

6.4.14 OPTIMIZING ENERGY PERFORMANCE OF BUILDING WITHIN

SPECIFIED COMFORT LIMITS
Optimizing the use of energy systems in buildings that maintain a specified
indoor climate conducive to the functional requirements of the building. Mandatory
compliance measures (recommended in the Energy Conservation building Code
2007 of the BEE, Government of India) are to be ensured. The annual energy
consumption of energy systems in a fully air-conditioned & non air-conditioned
building (for a day and 24 × 7 use) should not exceed the limits of benchmarked
energy consumption figure as mentioned.

6.4.15 UTILIZATION OF FLY ASH IN BUILDING STRUCTURE

Using low embodied energy industrial waste fly ash as the construction
material. Fly ash, an industrial waste having the properties of cement and very low
embodied energy is used in combination with cements that are high in embodied

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energy. In RC (reinforced concrete) (including ready-mix concrete) to make use of

fly ash by using PPC (Portland pozzolona cement) containing fly ash. A minimum
of 15% replacement of cement with fly ash in PPC (by weight of the cement used) in
the overall RC for meeting the equivalent strength requirements. Using fly ash in
building blocks for the walls, using fly ash in Plaster/ masonry mortar by employing
PPC, which utilizes a minimum 30% of fly ash in PPC and 100% of fly ash in
wall/ceiling finishes and wall construction, meeting the required structural
properties.

6.4.16 REDUCING THE VOLUME, WEIGHT AND TIME OF

CONSTRUCTION BY ADOPTING EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES
Replacing energy-intensive materials with less energy-intensive materials
and/or utilizing regionally available materials, which use low-energy/energy-
efficient technologies. Using low-energy intensive technologies/materials in roofing/
flooring, columns, and load-bearing walls, for other structural applications. Using
such technologies having a minimum 5% reduction in the overall embodied energy,
when compared to equivalent products for the same application.

6.4.17 USING LOW-ENERGY MATERIAL IN INTERIORS

Using low-energy/ recycled materials/ finishes/ products in the interiors,
which minimize the use of wood as a natural resource. Using low-energy materials
and products, such as composite wood products/renewable materials/reused
wood/low embodied energy products/products which utilize industrial waste/
recycled products.

6.4.18 RENEWABLE ENERGY UTILIZATION

Using renewable energy sources (solar, wind, biomass, fuel cells etc) in
buildings to reduce the use of conventional/fossil-fuel-based energy resources.

6.4.19 RENEWABLE-ENERGY-BASED HOT WATER SYSTEM

Using renewable energy sources to meet the hot-water requirement.

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6.4.20 WASTE-WATER TREATMENT

RECYCLE, REUSE AND RECHARGE OF WATER
Recycling and reuse of resources reduces pressure on our valuable natural
resources. Recycling of resources and putting back into use for the building.
Providing facility for the treatment of waste-water generated in the building & to
have safe disposal and use of by-products as per Pollution Control Acts, Rules &
Notifications of CPCB1998

6.4.21 WATER RECYCLE AND REUSE (INCLUDING RAINWATER)

Utilizing the treated waste water and rainwater for various applications
(including groundwater recharge) to reduce the load on both the municipal supplies
as well as the sewerage system and to improve the groundwater level.

6.4.22 REDUCTION IN WASTE DURING CONSTRUCTION

Ensuring maximum resource recovery and safe disposal of waste generated
during construction. Employing various measures to segregate the waste on-site into
inert, chemical or hazardous wastes. Reusing/Recycling the segregated waste and
disposing the inert/hazardous waste..

6.4.23 EFFICIENT WASTE SEGREGATION

Segregation of waste for efficient resource recovery using different colored
bins for the collection of different categories of waste from the building.

6.4.24 STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OF WASTES

Preventing the mixing up of segregated waste before processing or disposal
by allocating a separate space for the collected waste before transferring it to the
recycling/ disposal stations.

6.4.25 RESOURCE RECOVERY FROM WASTE

Maximizing the recovery of resources from the recyclable and biodegradable
waste by employing resource recovery systems for biodegradable waste as per the
Solid Waste Management and Handling Rules, 2000 of the MoEF.

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6.4.26 USING LOW-VOC PAINTS/ADHESIVES/SEALANTS

Building construction and its operation affects the health and well-being of
people in many ways. Green building practices and measures are integrated into the
design process to ensure the health and well-being of the occupants. Selecting and
using paints, adhesives and sealants with low quantities of chemical substances and
VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) (especially formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde
and urethanes etc.) Also prefering water- based acrylics over solvent-based oil
paints.

6.4.27 MINIMIZING OZONE DEPLETING SUBSTANCES

Eliminating or controling the release of ozone-depleting substances into the
atmosphere. The ozone depleting materials commonly used in buildings are CFCs or
HCFCs in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, halons in fire suppression
systems and extinguishers, and in insulation.

6.4.28 ENSURING WATER QUALITY

Providing the occupants of the building with good potable quality water for
drinking/washing purposes as per the standards and ensuring that the treated
wastewater meets the desired standards for reuse/disposal as prescribed in the IS for
various applications (Indian Standards for drinking [IS 10500–1991].

6.4.29 ACCEPTABLE OUTDOOR AND INDOOR NOISE LEVEL

Using appropriate noise control measures for having acceptable levels of
outdoor and indoor noise levels. Ensuring that the outdoor noise level conforms to
the ambient standards described in CPCB-Environmental Standards- Noise.
Ensuring that the indoor noise levels conform to the levels described in NBC 2005
(BIS 2005a).

6.4.30 TOBACCO/ SMOKE CONTROL

Various strategies such as prohibiting smoking in the indoor areas/building
or providing designated/isolated smoking zones within the building designed with
separate ventilation systems.

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6.4.31 PROVIDING THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF ACCESSIBILITY FOR

PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Ensuring accessibility and usability of the building and its facilities by
employees, visitors, and clients with disabilities.

6.4.32 ENERGY AUDIT AND VALIDATION

Validating the performance of the energy and environmental systems in the
building as predicted during the design and development stage after the building is
occupied & conducting audit for the same.

6.4.33 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

Ascertaining efficient functioning of the building systems through regular
monitoring of building’s energy and water consumption and implementation of
appropriate operation and maintenance program (O&M)

6.4.34 INNOVATION POINTS

The above mentioned criteria in the rating system are important in
contributing to the evolution of a green building. However a green building design
and operation extends beyond the boundaries defined by the above rating system and
covers various strategies and options that lead to environmental benefits. There are
various other measures also, which contribute to the overall objective of designing
and maintaining of green buildings, that are not covered in the existing rating
system. The following are few other innovation points.

Environmental education
Promoting awareness of environmental issues by imparting education to all
concerned. Formulating a policy on environmental education. Creating
environmental awareness through showcasing energy-efficient building systems,
technologies, materials, and properly labeling or documenting energy performance
or savings. Adopting innovative strategies such as labeling the water fixtures for the
water source. For example, ‘this tap uses rainwater harvested from the roof’. A
landscape labeled for native species or aromatic herbs, which would raise awareness
towards low maintenance and low water-consuming native species as compared to

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 Study of GRIHA for India Rating System as a Framework for Sustainable Housing Design & Energy Efficiency

high maintenance exotic species. Including a column on environmental awareness in

the monthly newsletter or newspaper.

Company policy on ‘green supply chain’

Encouraging policies on the ‘green supply chain’, so that the business uses
the most efficient methods available for sourcing, manufacturing, transporting and
post-sales support for green building materials and products.

Integrated pest management

Developing and implementing an integrated pest management program to
control and manage weeds and pests within tolerable limits so that healthy growth
for plants and people is achieved.

Life cycle costing

Providing comprehensive lifecycle cost analysis of the project, considering
the costs arising from owning, operating, maintaining etc. & benefits.

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