The Development Center for Appropriate Technology (DCAT), a Tucson-based nonprofit association whose mission is to foster creative solutions for meeting current basic human needs in ways that preserve positive options for future generations—along with several other organizations—has developed a survey designed to identify specific areas in building regulations that pose challenges to sustainable building best practices.

Challenge to green buildings
The center says that building codes challenge green building because:
• Many of the design approaches, materials, methods, and systems that are often included in green building are not included in current codes, standards, and regulations
• While code provisions exist for the approval of alternative materials and methods, code users and code officials are not always experienced in finding ways for an alternative to meet those provisions
• There is often limited certifiable information on which to base approvals
• Time limitations and funding often hinder code officials and code users in their efforts to gain approval for alternative approaches
• Within the experiences of code users and code officials, there are creative approaches, solutions, and suggestions that can serve as the basis for overcoming these challenges.

Actual user experience wanted
The purpose of this survey is to collect information on the experiences of building code users and code officials in relation to more environmentally responsible—i.e., "green"—building practices and the use of alternative designs, materials, and methods of construction related to making buildings more sustainable.

The information gathered will be compiled, analyzed, and used as the basis for developing a prioritized set of strategies to constructively address the challenges and problems identified, as well as to learn from identified strategies and solutions.

Go online
Two versions of the Internet-based survey are online: one for code officials, and the other for code users. Both can be accessed through the DCAT Web site. Survey results, analysis, and conclusions will be published in the January 2002 issue of Building Standards, the publication of the International Conference of Building Officials; some national publications; and on the DCAT Web site.

Anyone with experience with green building projects is encouraged to complete the survey, including code officials such as building officials, plans examiners, inspectors, fire officials, planning officials, code consultants, and model code organization staff, and code users, including architects, builders, engineers, materials manufacturers or suppliers, building owners, and others who have sought code-approval for green building projects. People working outside of the U.S. are also invited to participate.

Copyright 2001 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.