Project Advisory 76, July 2022

Project Advisory 76, June 2022

Update to the MSBA's Green Schools Program, Replaces Project Advisory 41

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (the “MSBA”) has reviewed new information related to upcoming changes to the building code and changes related to indoor air quality that will affect the MSBA’s Green Schools Program. This Project Advisory is a summary of MSBA’s policy for indoor air quality that will affect all new construction and major renovation/addition Core Program projects requesting Project Scope and Budget approval after the June 22, 2022 MSBA Board meeting.  For more information, review the update memo linked below.

The MSBA Board of Directors approved a staff recommendation that all new construction and major renovation / addition Core Program projects requesting Project Scope and Budget approval after June 22, 2022 must comply with the following updated Green Schools Program: 

Projects may be impacted as follows:

  1. All Core Program Projects are now required to meet the indoor air quality standards as outlined in the policy requirements below.
  2. The requirement to comply with the previous 2017 policy remains in effect for all Core Program projects that request Project Scope and Budget approval on or before the June 22, 2022 MSBA Board meeting.
  3. For projects that predate 2017, refer to the Green Schools Program policies in place at the time.

Minimum Requirements 

2017 Policy 

2022 Policy 

Using LEED-S, for no additional reimbursement, achieve a minimum of “Certified”,  

OR; 

Using NE-CHPS, for no additional reimbursement, achieve a minimum of “Verified”. 

AND; 

Exceed the level of energy efficiency required in the current Massachusetts (base) energy code by 10%, using the LEED-S EA “Optimize Energy Performance” credit submittal or the NE-CHPS “Energy Efficiency” credit submittal to demonstrate that performance. 

 

 

Using LEED-S, for no additional reimbursement, achieve a minimum of “Certified,” including a minimum total of three points (from seven points available) from the following three categories: 

  • MR Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Material Ingredients 
  • IEQ - Low Emitting Materials 
  • IEQ – Indoor Air Quality Assessment 

OR; 

Using NE-CHPS, for no additional reimbursement, achieve a minimum of “Verified”, including a minimum total of five points (from ten points available) from the following four categories: 

  • EQ 5.1.3 Indoor Air Quality Management – Building Flush Out 
  • EQ 7.0 Low Emitting Materials 
  • EQ 7.1 Additional Low Emitting Materials 
  • MW 10.1 Health Product Information Reporting 

AND; 

Exceed the level of energy efficiency required in the current Massachusetts (base) energy code by 10%, using the LEED-S EA “Optimize Energy Performance” credit submittal or the NE-CHPS “Energy Efficiency” credit submittal to demonstrate that performance. 

 

Additional Reimbursement 

2017 Policy 

2022 Policy 

 

For an additional reimbursement of 2% of the Estimated Basis of Total Facilities Grant, and in addition to the minimum requirements described above, projects must exceed the level of energy efficiency required in the current Massachusetts (base) energy code by 20%, using the LEED-S EA “Optimize Energy Performance” credit submittal or the NE-CHPS “Energy Efficiency” credit submittal to demonstrate that performance. 

 

For an additional reimbursement of 2% of the Estimated Basis of Total Facilities Grant, and in addition to the minimum requirements described above, projects must exceed the level of energy efficiency required in the current Massachusetts (base) energy code by 20%, using the LEED-S EA “Optimize Energy Performance” credit submittal or the NE-CHPS “Energy Efficiency” credit submittal to demonstrate that performance. 

 
     

In anticipation of this change, Districts, OPMs and Design teams should be aware that it is incumbent upon the Districts and their Designers to design to the appropriate sustainable criteria and establish project costs accordingly. MSBA will not revise the agreed upon Total Maximum Facilities Grant in the Project Scope and Budget Agreement to accommodate any potential change in the scope of work or any unanticipated cost increases associated with this new policy.
 

These changes were noted in the Update on Sustainable Building Design Guidelines and Policy Recommendations that was presented at the MSBA's Board of Directors Meeting on June 22, 2022. More information about the Green School Program can be found on the Green Schools page of the website. Any questions should be directed to MSBA Design Director, Karl Brown, AIA.