610 Life Cycle Assessment

610.1 - Life Cycle Assessment

A life cycle assessment (LCA) tool is used to select environmentally preferable products, assemblies, or, entire building designs. Points are awarded in accordance with Section 610.1.1 or 610.1.2. Only one method of analysis or tool may be utilized. The reference service life for the building is 60 years for any life cycle analysis tool. Results of the LCA are reported in the manual required in Section 1001.1 or 1002.1(1) of this Standard in terms of the environmental impacts listed in this practice and it is stated if operating energy was included in the LCA.

Note: Identify the LCA tool utilized and the person who completed the analysis.

610.1.1: Whole-building life cycle assessment 

A whole-building LCA is performed in conformance with ASTM E2921 using ISO14044 compliant life cycle assessment.

• Execute LCA at the whole building level through a comparative analysis between the final and reference building designs as set forth under Standard Practice, ASTM E2921.  The assessment criteria includes the following environmental impact categories (8 points):

  • Primary energy use
  • Global warming potential
  • Acidification potential
  • Eutrophication potential
  • Ozone depletion potential
  • Smog potential

• Execute LCA on regulated loads throughout the building operations life cycle stage.  Conduct simulated energy performance analyses in accordance with Section 702.2.1 ICC IECC analysis (IECC Section 405) in establishing the comparative performance of final versus reference building designs.  Primary energy use savings and global warming potential avoidance from simulation analyses results are determined using energy supplier, utility, or EPA electricity generation and other fuels energy conversion factors and electricity generation and other fuels emission rates for the locality or Sub-Region in which the building is located. (5 points)

• Execute full LCA, including use-phase, through calculation of operating energy impacts  using local or regional emissions factors from energy supplier, utility, or EPA. (2 points)

List assemblies compared and impact measures considered: __________________

Required Documentation

Documented whole-building LCA report.

610.1.2: Life cycle assessment for a product or assembly (10 points MAX)

An environmentally preferable product or assembly is selected for an application based upon the use of an LCA tool that incorporates data methods compliant with ISO 14044 or other recognized standards that compare the environmental impact of products or assemblies.

1. Product LCA. A product with improved environmental impact measures compared to another product(s) intended for the same use is selected. The environmental impact measures used in the assessment are selected from the following (points awarded for each product/system comparison where the selected product/system improved upon the environmental impact measures by an average of 15%):

   1. • Primary energy use
      • Global warming potential
      • Acidification potential
      • Eutrophication potential
      • Ozone depletion potential
      • Smog potential

2. Building assembly LCA. A building assembly with improved environmental impact measures compared to an alternative assembly of the same function is selected. The full life cycle, from resource extraction to demolition and disposal (including but not limited to on-site construction, maintenance and replacement, material and product embodied acquisition, and process and transportation energy), is assessed. The assessment includes all structural elements, insulation, and wall coverings of the assembly. The assessment does not include electrical and mechanical equipment and controls, plumbing products, fire detection and alarm systems, elevators, and conveying systems. The following types of building assemblies are eligible for points under this practice (points awarded for each product/system comparison where the selected product/system improved upon the environmental impact measures by an average of 15%):

   1. exterior walls
   2. roof/ceiling
   3. interior walls or ceilings
   4. intermediate floors
      1. The environmental impact measures used in the assessment are selected from the following:
         1. 1. • Primary energy use
               • Global warming potential
               • Acidification potential
               • Eutrophication potential
               • Ozone depletion potential
               • Smog potential

List assemblies compared and impact measures considered: __________________

Required Documentation

Documented ISO 14044 LCA report comparing at least two products intended for the same application.

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