Integrative Analysis of Building Materials

This credit allowed our team to analyze the products installed, and their impacts both on human and environmental health. Given the achievement of the BPDO credit sections, the team was able to choose from a wide variety of products that met the credit requirements for material disclosure. 

While the credit provides helpful information through the anaylsis of different products, the template provided is unclear and too succinct to adequatey outline the information being asked for. We use a modified table, based on the excel document, for use in providing the necessary information. Products with an EPD and SDS/MSDS are most beneficial to provide the necessary information requested by the credit. Additional information from the manufacturer including installation and maintenance guidelines are also helpful, if the required information for these sections is outside the scope of the EPD. 

I also found it helpful to modify the spreadsheet for information that applied to the product in general terms as opposed to each phase of the life cycle. 

This credit provided a platform for our team to assess the environmental, human, and safety impacts of three different products that had applicable EPD's and HPD's needed to complete the credit calculator. While it would be more beneficial to complete a larger-scope assessment of the material specifications to identify areas for improvement at the SD stage, this exercise allowed team members to familiarize themselves with reporting metrics like global warming potential, product emissions requirements, and material inventories.