BEESRG 4.0: Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability Technical Manual and User Guide.
BEESRG 4.0: Building for Environmental and Economic
Sustainability Technical Manual and User Guide.
(1726 K)
Lippiatt, B. C.
NISTIR 7423; 327 p. May 2007.
Keywords:
manuals; computer programs; building products; economic
performance; environmental performance; green buildings;
life cycle assessment; life cycle costing;
multiattribute decision analysis; sustainable
development
Abstract:
The BEES (Building for Environmental and Economic
Sustainability) version 4.0 software implements a
rational, systematic technique for selecting
environmentally-preferred, costeffective building
products. The technique is based on consensus standards
and designed to be
practical, flexible, and transparent. The Windows-based
decision support software, aimed at designers, builders,
and product manufacturers, includes actual environmental
and economic performance data for over 230 building
products across a range of functional applications. BEES
measures the environmental performance of building
products using the environmental life-cycle assessment
approach specified in International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) 14040 standards. All stages in the
life of a product are analyzed: raw material
acquisition, manufacture, transportation, installation,
use, and waste management. Economic performance is
measured using the ASTM International standard
life-cycle cost method (E917), which covers the costs of
initial investment, replacement, operation, maintenance
and repair, and disposal. Environmental and economic
performance are combined into an overall performance
measure using the ASTM standard for Multiattribute
Decision Analysis (E1765). For the entire BEES analysis,
building products are defined and classified based on
the ASTM standard classification for building elements
known as UNIFORMAT II (E1557).
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899