Introduction: Anderson Sustainable Architecture Blog
The quality reviews provided in the Passive House PHIUS+ Certification process is game changing in the building design and construction industry. The Process: • During the design and drawing development process, the Architect/Passive House designer forwards the project design and energy modeling to Passive House International | US (PHIUS), which acts as a third-party design reviewer contracted to the Owner. PHIUS reviews and participates in a rigorous review feedback process with the Architect/Passive House designer. When quality standards are met, PHIUS provides design pre-certification. Pre-Certification means that when the building is built as designed, it should meet the Passive House Certification requirements. • PHIUS provides Passive House rater training for construction industry-trained Home Energy Rater System (HERS) building raters, allowing them to rate Passive House projects as PHIUS+ Raters. The PHIUS+ Rater becomes familiar with the design and construction drawings and observes construction at key times. The PHIUS+ Rater notes if the Builder is following the design and appears to be meeting construction quality goals. The PHIUS+ Rater also provides field testing at key times; including blower door tests to confirm the building is well sealed; and smoke pen tests to locate any leaks so the Builder can seal any leaks before they are covered up in construction. As construction is completed, the PHIUS+ Rater provides a final blower door test and confirms the HVAC equipment and ventilation system through the building is functioning correctly and accurately adjusted. The contractor is still the one responsible for following the construction documents and providing their construction value to the owner, but with third party PHIUS+ Rater construction observation, the owner has an additional check on quality. (Note: As part of their contract with the owner, the Architect/Passive House designer does their own construction observations and reports to the owner. This quality review is missing when working only with a builder). When the PHIUS+ Certification requirements are met, the PHIUS+ Rater forwards their report to PHIUS. • PHIUS reviews the PHIUS+ Rater report for the owner, confirms requirements are met, and then issues the PHIUS+ Passive House Certification to the owner. With this process the building owner gains third party quality reviews, during both the design and construction phases, improving the quality and value of the building.
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Mark Anderson, AIA, CPHCFor my day job, I'm an architect focused on green design. Not a bad gig! Caring for the planet is a theme throughout my life. This page is where I like to talk about how that love for the earth plays out – in architecture and in my life. Archives
July 2023
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