Perma Shine
FGS PermaShine cuts maintenance costs while meeting LEED for Existing Buildings criteria OMAHA, Neb. (Oct. 9, 2007) -- The FGS/PermaShine system of products for Polished Concrete Floors can assist project teams with certification through the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Green Building Rating System for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB).
The green FGS/PermaShine Polished Concrete Floor Process (MasterFormat Section 033500 Concrete Finishing, and/or 030130 Maintenance of Cast in Place Concrete) is a patented dry-grind method of concrete floor finishing and concrete surface restoration that captures potential airborne particulates during installation and leaves behind a slip resistant, highly reflective finish with a natural aggregate or a colorful terrazzo-like finish.
The FGS/PermaShine process available from L&M Construction Chemicals can contribute points toward LEED-EB because this sustainable floor system maximizes a building's performance while minimizing environmental impacts on installers, occupants and the overall environment.
From an economic standpoint, the sustainable FGS/PermaShine system can drive down a facility's maintenance costs and reduce the potential risk to property owners from foot traffic due to the system's high traction rating, while improving the occupant's productivity. Therefore, this system can provide a larger return on investment for developers, property managers, real estate portfolio owners and other building industry practitioners. Properties certified by the USGBC stand out in annual performance reviews, annual budget planning sessions and add a premium to leasable space.
The LEED-EB certification process can also identify deficiencies in standard practices that need to be corrected and then provide the best steps toward operational improvements, which can have an immediate positive impact. An annual re-certification of LEED-EB status from the USGBC may extend the lifespan of a structure by providing a mechanism to avoid a decline in building maintenance.
The LEED-EB Rating System is a set of voluntary performance standards for the sustainable upgrades and operation of buildings not undergoing major renovations. The LEED-EB Rating System provides green standards for existing building operations, periodic upgrades of building systems, minor space use changes and building processes. It addresses exterior building site maintenance programs, efficient and optimized use of energy, purchasing of environmentally preferred products, waste stream management and ongoing indoor environmental quality (IEQ).
In addition, LEED-EB provides sustainable guidelines for whole-building cleaning/maintenance, recycling programs and systems upgrades to improve building energy, water, IEQ and materials use. In LEED-EB, it takes a minimum of 32 points for basic certification and 85 points for Platinum.
The FGS/PermaShine family of products can provide additional sustainable attributes to building systems and practices that have the potential to contribute 18 points within seven of LEED-EB's specific Credit Categories, especially on projects going for the highest LEED Platinum level certification available. The following is a breakdown of the applicable LEED-EB Credit Categories, the range of potential point awards, and the rational for the various credit assignments:
EA Credit 1 - Optimized Energy Performance, 1-10 Points
An FGS/PermaShine Polished Concrete Floor System can be part of a whole building approach to maximize a building's energy efficient design because of the combined thermal properties of concrete. This is especially the case when combined with geothermal heating and cooling systems or other cutting edge energy-related building systems that reduce peak demand for energy throughout the enclosure. In addition, the highly reflective finish of an FGS/PermaShine floor can reduce the number of original ambient lighting fixtures needed throughout the enclosed space, saving on both the initial cost of lighting fixtures as well as lowering the long-term cost of electricity needed to illuminate the property.
EA Credit 3.1 Building Operations and Maintenance: Staff Education, 1 Point
The installation of an FGS/PermaShine System and especially the use of the environmentally preferred FGS/PermaShine Conditioner as part of the on-going maintenance regime will keep the reflective qualities of this green Polished Concrete Floor surface in like-new condition for much longer than other floor covering options. FGS/PermaShine can contribute to this Credit Category by providing building operations and maintenance staff personnel with an annual education program on how to maintain a floor with the FGS/PermaShine Conditioner.
MR Credits 4.1-4.3 Sustainable Cleaning Products and Materials, 1-3 Points
The use of the FGS/PermaShine maintenance regimen qualifies for inclusion in this credit category because the formulation reduces the environmental impacts of cleaning products in the building through low-VOC or VOC-free chemical compounds in both the L&M VividDye and the FGS/PermaShine Conditioner.
IEQ Credit 3 - Construction IAQ Management Plan, 1 Point
Specifying the FGS/PermaShine System can potentially contribute to this credit because it eliminates the future need to remove and replace old tile and vinyl flooring as the building ages. Installation of this sustainable floor finish includes vacuum air purification technology. This helps prevent indoor air quality problems resulting from the dust and resulting debris that can occur with the removal and installation of other flooring options. The patented FGS dry polish process sustains the comfort and well-being of construction workers and building occupants during the renovation process.
IEQ Credit 9 - Contemporary IAQ Practice, 1 Point
The intent of this point is to enhance Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) performance by optimizing practices to prevent the development of indoor air quality problems in buildings and correcting indoor air quality problems, such as mold and mildew growth within other floor covering systems. The FGS/PermaShine System, which includes the use of the FGS/PermaShine Conditioner, eliminates the source material for mold growth and creates a cleaner environment throughout the enclosed space.
IEQ Credit 10.6 - Green Cleaning: Low Environmental Impact Cleaning Equipment Policy, 1 Point
The FGS/PermaShine Polished Concrete Flooring System can potentially contribute to this credit because of the vacuum air purification technology utilized during installation. FGS/PermaShine also eliminates energy consuming pressure washers, waxing machines and tile cleaning equipment thus lowering the costs and environmental impact of building maintenance.
ID Credit 1 - Innovation in Upgrades, Operations and Maintenance, 1 Point
The rational for this credit is to provide building operation and upgrade teams with the opportunity to be awarded points for additional environmental benefits achieved beyond those already addressed by LEED-EB Rating System. Since Materials Reuse is not specifically addressed in LEED-EB, a case can be made here for the awarding of an additional Innovation in Design point for using the FGS/PermaShine System to refurbish an existing concrete slab as opposed to removal and replacement of other floor covering options.
The above LEED credit section references are for suggested applications of FGS/PermaShine. The LEED applicant is ultimately responsible for determining the product attributes that will help provide LEED-certification of a building project. Under the LEED-EB categories suggested, FGS/PermaShine can assist building teams in obtaining LEED-EB points, as long as the overall performance of the building meets or exceeds the LEED building performance standards.
FGS/PermaShine can also potentially assist in gaining points in other LEED Green Building Rating Systems, including LEED for New Construction, LEED for Commercial Interiors, LEED for Core and Shell, as well as others still under development, such as LEED for Schools, LEED for New Retail Construction, and LEED for Healthcare, among others.
In addition to the minimum of 32 points needed to gain certification under LEED-EB, project teams must meet all of the prerequisites within many of the Credit Categories. And, the additional points needed for LEED certification in buildings using FGS/PermaShine can be gained in Credit Categories other than the above suggested categories, including the Sustainable Sites and Water Efficiency sections. LEED-EB offers ongoing validation for projects already certified under LEED-NC and LEED-EB, or the opportunity for building professionals to gain certification for the first time with the additional requirement that a non-LEED building be two years old.
While LEED is the national benchmark for sustainable design and construction, FGS/PermaShine can also help building teams comply with many other "green" building standards, including the Green Building Initiative's Green Globes and various other national, regional and industry professional standards.
Call L&M Construction Chemicals for more details on how its FGS/PermaShine can qualify for "green" building standards at 800-362-3331 or visit www.lmcc.com or www.fgs-permashine.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Paul Nutcher
Vice President
Green Apple Group
4522 Clarcona
Ocoee Road
Orlando, FL 32810
Office: 407-517-4748
Cell: 407-579-8683
pnutcher@greenappleconsult.com
PRODUCT CONTACT:
Gregory Schwietz, President
L&M Construction Chemicals
14851 Calhoun Road
Omaha, NE 68152
402-453-6600
gschwietz@lmcc.com