Estidama Pearl Rating System: Information Bulletin #3

Subject: Date: Definition of Buildings requiring compliance with the Pearl Building Rating System 2 February 2011 Version: 1.0 All new buildings must be designed to achieve a minimum rating of 1 Pearl, while government buildings must meet at least 2 Pearls. This information bulletin is intended to provide clarity on what defines a building under the requirements of the mandate. The flow chart below explains when a building must meet the Pearl Building Rating System (PBRS) requirements. The criteria include permitability, permanence, area of air-conditioned space and peak electrical load. Currently, only new buildings are included. It is likely that extensions, additions or alterations of existing buildings will also be required to meet sustainability standards in the future.

Building Definition Criteria

Is this a new building that requires building permit?
NO

Key Terms Definitions

New building:
New stand-alone enclosed structure to be built on a new or existing plot.

Permanent structure:
Building constructed to be occupied for at least two years. After such time the building would also be required to comply with the Operational Rating System.
NO

YES

Is the building a permanent structure (planned to be in place for >2 years)?

Gross Floor Area (GFA):

STOP
Building is not required to comply with the Estidama PBRS requirements.

YES

The sum of all horizontal areas of each floor of a building or structure, measured from the exterior wall faces of the exterior walls or from the centreline of walls separating two buildings subject to the rules of measurement for Determining Gross Floor Area. (UPC regulation).

Is the air conditioned GFA >50 m2 or >5% of the total GFA?

NO

Any building that does not fall under the definition due to not meeting the air-conditioned area or electrical peak demand criteria cannot increase those for a period of 1 year.

Air-conditioned space:
Area requiring temperature and/or ventilation control achieved by operating HVAC equipment.

YES

Peak electrical load:

Highest demand of electrical energy required to operate the building and its function.

Is the peak electrical load >15 kW?

NO

GO
Building must comply with the Estidama PBRS requirements.

Specific Exemptions
The following stand-alone utility provider buildings are deemed exempt from the PBRS: Distribution Substations Pumping Stations Vacuum Waste Collection Stations Wastewater Treatment Works District Cooling Plants Gas Pressure Reduction Stations Telecommunication Towers Fixed Line Telephone Exchanges

YES