University of West Georgia
OP-3: Building Operations and Maintenance

Operated and maintained in accordance with formally adopted sustainable operations and maintenance guidelines and policies that cover all of the following:
1. Impacts on the surrounding site
2. Energy consumption
3. Building-level energy metering
4. Usage of environmentally preferable materials
5. Indoor environmental quality
6. Water consumption
7. Building-level water metering

1. Impacts on the surrounding site
A 25 Year Storm Water Master Plan (2005) is on file and is updated for any new development; supplemental documents include erosion control standards. Sustainable landscaping practices at UWG dictate a “No net loss of caliber inch” for new development and renovation. This supports our initiative to maintain our Tree Campus USA status (2011-2014) as well as ensuring cooling islands in parking lots are included in all new development. Cisterns to capture and reuse rain water for irrigation is now part of sustainable construction at UWG. Approximately 170,000 gal capacity is currently available in our cisterns.

2. Energy consumption
The Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Construction Act of 2008 (EESCA) provides energy efficiency and construction standards for state facility projects. Building owners and managers can also apply for the Georgia Peach Green Building Rating System, which rates a state agency’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

A Sustainable energy management plan was adopted by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia in 2007. In 2014, UWG was the recipient of the Georgia Energy Challenge whereby state facilities committed to reduce energy consumption by 15% by 2020 from a 2007 baseline.

Energy consumption is tracked on a monthly basis. UWG committed to following Federal guidelines for energy management set points (68 degrees Winter and 78 degree Summer) in 2005.

Preventative maintenance including chiller annuals, boiler annuals, and fire suppression systems are strictly adhered to. Preventative Maintenance on all MEP systems are our key to operational efficiency and student comfort.

3. Building-level energy metering
Our energy management system allows us to control, schedule and meter all of our major buildings. Presently 55 campus buildings (2.43 MSF or 93.6% of total area) have building-level metering for electrical energy. 21 buildings (1.16 MSF or 44% of total area)have building-level natural gas metering, with the balance of facilities on a natural gas master meter.

4. Usage of environmentally preferable materials
UWG uses green cleaning methods and products in excess of 80% of total campus area. Ongoing efforts are underway to meet the water use requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 when replacing water flow fittings (water closets, urinals, showerheads, faucets) in existing facilities. When feasible, interior and exterior light fixture requiring replacement are replaced with low energy alternatives (CFL and LED).

5. Indoor environmental quality
The University of West Georgia recognizes the impact that indoor air quality has in the workplace and in residences. In an effort to provide the community with optimum Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), an IAQ Management Plan is in place. This plan, which applies to all buildings owned or leased by UWG, strives to maintain indoor air quality standards that protect the health of faculty, staff and students. The program's focus is to:

• Prevent illness, injury, and adverse health symptoms associated with poor indoor air quality
• Respond to indoor air quality complaints effectively and to make recommendations for improvement
• Maintain indoor air quality within acceptable levels according to consensus guidelines
• Provide recommendations on IAQ issues to be considered in new building design.

6. Water consumption & 7. Building-level water metering

Water is metered for each building. The University’s Operations Department runs a monthly report. This report allows validation and review for leaks etc. before we pay any bills. Any outliers are investigated in order to eliminate water waste. UWG procedures call for meeting the water use requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 when replacing water flow fittings (water closets, urinals, showerheads, faucets) in existing facilities.

UWG applies the referenced policies and procedures to new buildings constructed after 2007 in accordance with green building policies or guidelines.

Please note that the document which is uploaded under "A copy of the sustainable building operations and maint. guidelines" is a summary document. Official operating procedures and policies related to each of the six required areas exist within their appropriate team or department.