B R I C K R E V I S I T E D

justhowGREEN

is it?

UP

DA

TE

DEDIT

ION

WHY REVISIT BRICK?

It’s a material you’ve long known, specified and used successfully.You know its design flexibility, durability, and low maintenance, and how its endless array of colors, shapes, textures,and sizes set the standard for beauty. What you may not know is that it’sa natural for today’s new emphasis on sustainable design.

Its unsurpassed life cycle, exceptional energy efficiency,natural ingredients,minimal waste, and countless recycling options are just a few of the properties that make brick the superb sustainable material it has been for thousandsof years.

what is “GREEN”?

GOOD QUESTION“Green” is the idea that the environmentaldecisions we maketoday will resonate for years to come.Also known as “greenarchitecture,” “high-performance building”and “sustainabledesign,” it expands the focus beyond thebuilding itself, takinginto account the long-term impact it willhave on the environ-ment, the economy,and human health.The concept of “green”has been around fordecades. Early greendesign often focused on energy efficiency or used recycled mate-rials to promote clean air, water, and soil.

However, environ-mental awareness hasincreased dramaticallyin the past decade.Today, architects anddesigners, contractors,manufacturers andsuppliers have anincreased understand-ing of sustainabledesign and of theirrole in preserving ourplanet’s preciousresources.

As sustainable designcontinues to gain preva-lence, the definition of“green” will continue toexpand and evolve.More than a trend,sustainable design isbecoming the future of architecture.

Increasingly, clients aredemanding efficient,long lasting design that enhances both thequality of life for theircommunities as well as their bottom line.Various organizations,institutions, and gov-ernment bodies areaggressively creatingguidelines and criteriato assess the sustain-ability of buildings and the materials thatcomprise them.

While a number of standards havealready been estab-lished,“getting green”requires architects,building professionals,and owners to continueto educate themselvesabout the environ-mental-friendliness of building products in order to make responsible choices.

That’s why we’ve brought you this information about brick.

What constitutes “green”?The U.S. Green Building Council defines

“sustainable design” as the practices of

design and construction that significant-

ly reduce or eliminate the negative

impact of buildings on the environment

and occupants in five broad categories:

1. Sustainable site planning

2. Safeguarding water & water efficiency

3. Energy efficiency & renewable energy

4. Conservation of materials & resources

5. Indoor environmental quality

6. Regionally appropriate planning

and design.

exactly

UP

DA

TE

DEDIT

ION

BRICK IS EVERYWHEREYou’ve known, andprobably lived with itall your life. Made ofthe most abundantmaterials on the planet,clay and shale, it is “ofthe earth” in the mostbasic way.

Care is taken to locatemanufacturing nearthese natural materials,so as to minimize energyconsumption in trans-porting them. The clayand shale are harvestedfrom the earth’s sur-face by a process thathas minimal long-termenvironmental effecton the land.

Brick manufacturers take pride in meeting or exceeding the feder-al requirements whichgovern this process,including an aggressivereclamation programthat converts allinvolved land to a

desirable natural con-dition, such as lakes and natural preserves.In fact, numerous manu-facturers have been recognized for theirefforts in such landenhancement. Theharvested materialsare blended, with littleor no refinement, andthen extruded or castinto the desired shapes.Next, they’re slowly conveyed through a kiln at about 2000OF

which transforms the raw material into per-manent modular units.Sometimes recycledand industrial wasteaggregates, such as flyand incinerator ash andwaste glass, are mixedwith the clay and shale.In all cases, the high firing temperatures usedin the manufacturing

process render thebricks environmentallysafe and user-friendly.Throughout this process,there is virtually nowaste – virtually all of the mined clay isused in the manufac-turing process.

Checklist for Selecting Materials*Building professionals should consider the following characteristics of materialswhen planning sustainable design projects – Products which:1. Are made from environmentally

attractive materials2. Are “green” because of what isn’t there3. Reduce environmental impact during

manufacture, distribution, construction,renovation and demolition

4. Reduce the environmental impact of building operation and maintenance.

5. Contribute to a safe, healthy indoor environment

* GreenSpec Criteria, Building Green, Inc.

simply of the EARTH

Emissions throughoutthis process are regulat-ed (as they are for mostindustrial processes) bythe Clean Air Act, withmodern brick plantsstrictly adhering to theestablished standardsto assure air quality.

After cooling, brick isstacked and placed instock, or shipped to asite for immediate use.Because brick is pro-duced worldwide andin 38 of the 50 states in the US, it is truly aregionally availablematerial. Shippingactually averages nomore than 175 miles.

Brick’s small size andefficient modularityallows it to be put inplace with almost nowaste. Even its minimalpackaging, plasticstraps and woodenpallets, is easily reusedor recycled.

Such recycling andwaste containment,which minimizes themining of gravel asaggregate and divertswaste materials fromlandfills, are benefitsunequalled by any otherbuilding material.

The Benefits of Building Green*ENVIRONMENTALBuilding green reduces the impact of natural resource consumptionECONOMICIt improves the bottom line in terms ofbuilding operation, asset value, workerproductivity, and can bring favorable zoning ordinances and tax benefitsHEALTH & SAFETYIt enhances occupants’ comfort & healthCOMMUNITYIt minimizes the strain on local infrastruc-tures by lessening demand for landfills,water supply, storm water management,and transportation of materials

* U.S. Green Building Council

PRESENTa PRESENT for the futurefor the future

WE SHOULD ALL LOOK SOGOOD AT A HUNDRED

Brick has an amazinglife cycle, conservativelyestimated at one hun-dred years, yet it’s hard toignore older examplesof its longevity, such asthe Great Wall and theRoman aqueducts. It agesbeautifully, and requiresalmost no maintenance.Critics, who understand-ably may attempt to divertyour attention elsewhere,tend to focus on theamount of heat energyused to make brickwithout putting it in thecontext of its long life.

Consider this:The AIA EnvironmentalResource Guide reportsthe embodied energyof brick as less thanthat of concrete, glass,steel or aluminum.Since that report wasissued, the brick indus-try has reduced theactual “embodied ener-gy” of brick (the energyrequired to mine, man-ufacture and transportit), by almost 70%.The embodied energydecreased from 4,000BTU’s per pound(14,000 BTU’s per stan-dard brick) in 1970 to1,239 BTU’s per pound(4,300 BTU’s per stan-dard brick) today.This number is also farbelow the embodiedenergy of EIFS and fiber-cement products.

A recent study conductedby the National BrickResearch Center demon-strates these results.[see chart on overleaf]

Whether the building in which it’s originally used sees its hundredthbirthday or not, the life of the brick can go on – in another building as salvaged brick (with all its charms and beneficialqualities intact), crushedand used as a roadwaysub-base material, orchipped into a perma-nent landscaping mulch (a great vantage fromwhich to watch its nextgeneration carry on its time-honored and valued tradition).And, in the rare event that it ever finds its wayinto a landfill, because it’s simply “earth,” it’s inert, so it requires no special handling.

So,“earth to earth,”and all that.

The Benefits of Building Green*ENVIRONMENTALBuilding green reduces the impact of natural resource consumptionECONOMICIt improves the bottom line in terms ofbuilding operation, asset value, workerproductivity, and can bring favorable zoning ordinances and tax benefitsHEALTH & SAFETYIt enhances occupants’ comfort & healthCOMMUNITYIt minimizes the strain on local infrastruc-tures by lessening demand for landfills,water supply, storm water management,and transportation of materials

* U.S. Green Building Council

Life Cycle InsightsThe following chart pro-vides a cradle-to-graveassessment of all energyconsumption & pollutiongenerated in manufactur-ing a unit area (squarefoot) distributed over thewarranted life of theproduct. The warrantedlife was chosen, whenavailable, as the bestindicator of the poten-tial performance of the product.

Thus, unlike the BREProfiles, the envelopematerial was assessedbased on its warranted life rather than an average building life.The end product of theassessments was the kilowatt hours consumed,the pounds of pollution,and the landfill/depletionweight per unit area ofcladding on a per year of service life basis.

HARAPPA BRICK

Fired brick fromHarappa, the capitalcity of Indus valley,Harappan culture (now part of Pakistan)circa 2500 BC

GREAT WALL OF CHINA

Brick construction dating back as far as300 BC

JERICHO BRICK

From a pre-potteryNeolithic settlementdiscovered beneaththe biblical city ofJericho. Carbon 14tests at the site indicate it is 9,000-10,000 years old.

Cladding/Life Cycle Analysis

Basic Data Brick Block Fiber Vinyl EIFSMasonry Masonry Cement Siding

Warranty 100 years 50 years 50 years 50 years 5 yearsWeight/ft2 35.5 lb. 42.8 lb. 2.3 lb. 0.5 lb. 1.24 lb.

Energy, Recycling: Recycling: Recycling: Recycling: Recycling:Mining & Brick 100% 80% 0%1 80%2 0%1

Manufacturing Mortar 40%Recycling Energy: Energy: Energy: Energy: Energy:& Energy 0.252 0.228 0.328 0.210 5.48kWh/ft2/yr

Pollution 0.011 0.005 0.026 0.001 0.023 Water & airemissionslb/ft2/yr

Distribution 175 miles 100 miles 365 Miles 310 miles 300 milesEnergy 0.004 0.004 0.146 0.001 0.1893

Avg/Distance,Miles &Net EnergykWh/ft2/yr

Waste & 0.108 0.203 0.048 0.4604 0.828Depletionlb/ft2/yr

TOTA L SEnergy 0.256 0.232 0.474 0.211 5.669Pollution 0.011 0.005 0.026 0.001 0.023Waste & 0.108 0.203 0.048 0.460 0.828Depletion

Research data generated by the National Brick Research Center, Clemson University1 No proven method available2 Used the maximum allowed in this analysis (80%). According to the Vinyl Siding Institute,

100% of vinyl siding is recyclable. Some environmental groups claim recycling of vinyl siding results in dioxin emissions.

3 Low weight per truckload influenced results4 Depletion of salt in processing PVC influenced results

ORTABLE choice

As you might imagine, brick has always been people-friendly.It has virtually no emissions and it’s 100% safe. Add to that it’sfireproof, and water and insect resistant. It’s virtually imperviousto the ravages of time and weather, and it’s a natural insulator.Its ability to absorb and release thermal energy over an extendedperiod makes it an ideal choice for reducing peak energy loads.This “thermal lag” also makes it a particularly attractive materialfor use in conjunction with passive solar construction.

In the 1980’s,“sick inside” took on a new mean-ing. That’s when we became painfully aware thatsome new construction was filled with potentiallyhazardous materials and unhealthy emissions.Since then, there has been an aggressive effort to eliminate these risks. Today, this vital concernhas naturally become a measure of a building’s“green” success, since environmentally-sensitivenew construction misses the point if it isn’t a safeand healthy environment for the people within it.

Hey, you may not be able to snuggle up tobrick, but you almost wish you could. In the built environment, it’s a breath of fresh air.

a COMF

go for the GREEN

TAKE THE LEADAs the environmentalconsciousness of clientsand society grows,building professionalswill increasingly be asked to create projectsthat incorporate greendesign principles.

One of the first stepstoward building envi-ronmentally sensitivestructures is to select the best materials for the job-at-hand.

You’ve chosen brick for its beauty, design flexibility, durability and overall value.

Now you can confidently achieve environmentally friendly, sustainable,certified projects.

Note: This publication presents information specific to clay brick.In masonry construction,consideration should also be given to potentialLEEDTM contributions from mortar and/or wallaccessories that maycontain recycled contentand/or that qualify asregional materials.

THISPART OF THEPAGETRIMSOFF

for updated information on

LEEDTM and Green GlobesTM credits

plus a side-by-side comparison

of how brick contributes to

LEEDTM, Green GlobesTM, LEED

for HomesTM, and NAHB

National Green Building

Standard.

SEEBIA

TechnicalNote48

gobr

ick.

com

Green Globes**The Green Building Initiative became accredited in 2005 as a standards developer by ANSI and owns the U.S. license for Green Globes®– a green commercial building rating system that combines education with environmental assess-ments in fully interactive online tools for new and existingbuildings. With the Green Globes rating system, the use of brick can assist with up to 15% of the 1000 points available in the following categories:Site A S S E S S M E N T A R E A N o . 7

Subcategories include: Ecological Impacts; Storm Water Management;Site EcologyEnergy A S S E S S M E N T A R E A N o . 8

Subcategories include: Passive Demand Reduction; Thermal resistanceand TransmittanceResources/Materials A S S E S S M E N T A R E A N o . 1 0

Subcategories include: Material Content; Transportation of Materials;Salvaged Materials; Reuse of Existing Structure/Building Façade:Reduction, Reuse and Recycling of Waste; Building Service Live PlanIndoor Environment A S S E S S M E N T A R E A N o . 1 2

Subcategories include: Source Control of Indoor Pollutants; AcousticComfort

Note: See BIA Tech Note for complete description of categories and point contributions from brick.

The LEEDTM Green Building Rating System for New Con-struction and Major Renovations, developed by the U.S.Green Building Council, is a set of performance standards for certifying the design and construction of commercial or institutional buildings and high-rise residential buildingsof all sizes, both public and private. The intent is to promotehealthful, durable, affordable and environmentally soundpractices in building, design and construction.

Prerequisites and credits in the LEED 2009 for New Con-struction and Major Renovations addresses 7 topics andincludes specific points available as follows:C AT E G O RY P O I N T SSustainable Site 26Water Efficiency 10Energy & Atmosphere 35Materials & Resources 14Indoor Environmental Quality 15Innovation in Design 6Regional Priority 4Total Possible Points 110

LEEDTM certifications are awarded according to the following scale:C AT E G O RY P O I N T SCertified 40-49Silver 50-59Gold 60-79Platinum 80 and above

Here are just a few areas where brick can contribute to a project being awarded a LEEDTM certification.* Note: Pointsshown below refer to total points allowed in credit, not pointscontributed solely by brick.

CATEGORY: SUSTAINABLE SITES

Credit 6 Stormwater Design (1-2 points)Permeable pavements utilizing flexible brick pavements allow for water to filter back into the ground.

Credit 7 Heat Island Effect: Non-Roof (1 point)Light colored brick pavers (plus some select, red pavers) qualify as a hardscape material with an SRI of at least 29.

CATEGORY: ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE

Credit 1 Optimize Energy Performance (1-19 points)Brick is an energy-efficient material with insulating value and high thermal mass. It can also be used in passive solar constructionby utilizing its thermal lag to reduce peak energy loads.

CATEGORY: MATERIALS & RESOURCES

Credit 1 Building Reuse (1-4 points)Brick has a useful life of more than 100 years. Brick buildings can often be reused. Brick walls and non-structural elements can also be reused.

Credit 2 Construction Waste Management (1-2 points)Brick’s small unit size helps divert waste from landfills and salvaged brick can be used in road construction or other buildings.

Credit 3 Materials Reuse (1-2 points)Brick and other masonry are among the most commonly salvagedbuilding materials.

Credit 4 Recycled Content (1-2 points)Numerous manufacturers make brick that incorporates recycled or industrial waste aggregates that are rendered harmless when the brick is fired.

Credit 5 Regional Materials (1-2 points)The raw materials of brick, clay and shale are abundant and always nearby, making brick available regionally, efficient to transport and distribute.

CATEGORY: INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Credit 4 Low-Emitting Materials – Flooring Systems (1 point)The use of brick floors avoids carpets and adhesives – leading to the avoidance of VOCs.

CATEGORY: INNOVATION IN DESIGN

Credit 1 Innovation in Design (1-5 points)Brick can contribute to superior acoustic comfort. Brick interior walls do not require paint – leading to the avoidance of VOCs. Brickstructures also can also yield a Life Cycle Assessment advantage.

CATEGORY: REGIONAL PRIORITY

Credit 1 Regional Priority (1-4 points)Brick can help achieve credits that address geographically specificenvironmental priorities.

* Categories and Credits apply to LEED (NC) 2009 Rating System.

for updated information on

LEEDTM and Green GlobesTM credits

plus a side-by-side comparison

of how brick contributes to

LEEDTM, Green GlobesTM, LEED

for HomesTM, and NAHB

National Green Building

Standard.

SEEBIA

TechnicalNote48

gobr

ick.

com

* *

an ONGOING commitment

Over the years, the brickindustry has taken numer-ous positive steps toensure that it respectsand protects our environ-ment. For instance, over90% of all brick manu-facturers are aggressivelyreclaiming and enhanc-ing the land from which

clay and shale havebeen harvested. Over90% use dust controland collection equip-ment. About 80% reusetheir own fired wastematerial or convert itinto other products,and almost half useprocessed or recycled

waste materials in brickproduction. Numerousbrick companies havereceived both state andnational recognition foroutstanding accomplish-ments in safeguardingthe environment. Andmore improvements are in the works.

Like anything madefrom natural materials,there is an ongoing,delicate balancebetween the earth itself and that which is harvestedfrom it.

Brick is no exception.In fact, it is an exceptional example.

Now, more than ever,building professionalswill be expected to incor-porate “green” conceptsthat satisfy or exceedguidelines established bylocal, state and federalgovernments, agencies,and institutions. The brickindustry is committed tosupporting this move-ment by adhering to thefollowing Brick IndustryEnvironmental PolicyStatement:

The brick industry recognizes that the stewardship of our planetlies in the hands of our generation.Our goal is to continually seek outinnovative, environmentally friendlyopportunities in the manufacturingprocess and for the end use of claybrick products.

As demonstrated over time, we are committed to manufacturingproducts that provide exceptionalenergy efficiency, durability, recycla-bility and low maintenance with aminimal impact on the environmentfrom which they originate. We assurethat our facilities meet or exceedstate and federal environmental regulations, and we will continue topartner with building professionalsto help them in using our productsto create environmentally responsibleliving and working spaces for today’sand future generations.

Brick is the first masonry material that can attain a “Certificate of EnvironmentalClaims” from a third party source.The Bishop Materials Laboratory,located at The National Brick ResearchCenter, a component of Clemson University, has developed a means to verify the use of renewable energysources in firing, the content of recycled materials, and reductions inresources for manufacturing brick.

The brick industry funds and supports aNational ResearchCenter that continuallyseeks ways to improvethe efficiencies of themanufacturing processto reduce impacts onthe environment.

LeftEtowah ValleyCountry Club & Golf Lodge, anexample of theparks, ball fieldsand other com-munity amenitiesmany manufactur-ers are creating byreclaiming retiredclay and shale harvesting sites.

Some brick manu-facturers have evenbegun to captureand use methanefrom landfill gas as a renewable energysource and an alter-native to fossil fuels.

It’s world-wide and history-long.Natural & abundant.It’s amazingly recyclable, with anincredible life cycle.Low-maintenance.Environmentallyresponsible. With proven durability.Near zero waste.Truly green.

Brick.It’s the basic building material we can all live with.Again and again.

For more informationplease contact:Brick Industry Southeast Region8420 University Executive ParkSuite 800Charlotte, NC 28262

704.510.1500800.622.7425

I T ’ S G R E E NI T ’ S G R E E N

LEED Silver

LEED Silver

LEED Silver

G O W I T H B R I C K

Brochure

hixson design

Primary photography

Rick Hovis

All rights reserved

If possible, please

pass this brochure

along to an interested

colleague.

This brochure contains

no less than 30% post-

consumer fiber, and is

elemental chlorine free.

Copyright 2010

Brick Industry

Southeast Region

Top:

Durham County Public Library

Durham NC

Architect: The Freelon Group

Middle:

University of South Carolina

Green Quad Residence Hall and

Learning Center for Sustainable Futures

Columbia, SC

Architect: The Boudreaux Group

Bottom:

Metro Atlanta YMCA

Atlanta, GA

Architect: Collins Cooper Carusi Architects, Inc.

UP

DA

TE

DEDIT

ION

FPO

This information isbrought to you by:Brick Industry Association1850 Centennial Park DriveSuite 301Reston, VA 20191

703.620.0010

www.gobrick.com

C H E C K T H I S O U T

UP

DA

TE

DEDIT

ION