Atlanta, Georgia: ASHRAE has published a new User’s Manual, which seeks to clarify the intent and implementation of the Green Building standard by explaining its requirements and providing example applications, the body announced through a press communiqué.

The User’s Manual to ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1-2014, Standard for the Design of High-Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, said the announcement, is an update to its 2010-published Standard 189.1-2009. It is intended to help engineers, architects and contractors understand and comply with the standard, and to help code officials and others enforce its requirements.

Standard 189.1 reportedly addresses the areas of site sustainability, water-use efficiency, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, the building’s impact on the atmosphere, materials and resources, and construction and plans for operation. The Standard is published by ASHRAE, the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

Andrew Persily, Chair of the Standard 189.1 Committee, said, “The User’s Manual is vital in helping the industry understand these updated provisions, which will help further reduce building energy and environmental impacts through high performance design, construction and operation while providing indoor environments that support the activities of building occupants.”