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For a quite long time, I was planning to add Green building credential. As an Architect, I am seeing a lot of professional possibilities in the concerned area. Unfortunately Green Building Industry is still not so mature in relevant Indian context. There is not much information available around. I faced a lot of problem to search for the contents, tried to talk a number of persons whom I thought might be able to assist me but all went in vain. It took a long time to gather the required information.Finally I took courage to appear for IGBC AP exam last month and cleared it. There I decided to share my experience with others. IGBC-AP credential is not end of the road but actually it is the beginning. Here I will try to explain bit by bit the process, the opportunities ahead. There are some questions we must seek answer of them before we start.
What is LEED?
IGBC in context of USGBC and How a LEED AP is differ from IGBC AP.
Other rating system/ evaluations exist in India. How is IGBC differing from GRIHA?
Why it is important to have IGBC-AP or GRIHA credential.
What is the procedure to appear for IGBC-AP exam?
Examination pattern.
Source of Information/ from where to study.
Other supporting links
What is LEED
If you are reading this page, it is obvious for you to know about LEED so there is only a quick preview.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and it is a green building rating system that has been pioneered by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Each project is rated based on a variety of criteria and then it is awarded a level of Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum depending on the number of points it is eligible for. Criteria include energy usage, indoor air quality, sustainable sites, water use, construction waste, recycling, etc. Projects can be certified under several different rating systems including LEED for New Construction, LEED for Existing Buildings, LEED for Commercial Interiors, LEED for Retail, LEED for Schools and LEED for Core and Shell. In addition there is a LEED for Homes that is new and a LEED for Neighborhood Development that is in its pilot phase. Individuals who want to be LEED Accredited Professionals have to take and pass a test on one of the various LEED rating systems. When an individual passes the test they carry the LEED AP designation. Currently there are no continuing education requirements.
For more information you can visit http://www.usgbc.org/
IGBC in context of USGBC and How a LEED AP is differ from IGBC AP
For initial understanding though it may not be true, Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), promoted by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) can be considered as an Indian partner of USGBC. This is acting as a channel for registration of Indian projects under LEED programme. But in the future it can start to act as completely independent agency. IGBC building rating system is quite similar to that of USGBC, but slightly modified to suit Indian conditions. In recent IGBC started its own exam to identify Green Building professional and awarded them with IGBC-AP credential.
The basic difference between LEED and IGBC AP credential is former has worldwide recognition and acceptance while IGBC is only relevant in Indian context. Though the exam patterns are more or less same, LEED is considered to be comparatively more rigorous. LEED allow applicants three attempt to pass the exam with single registration while IGBC allow only one.
The other major difference between two is for an applicant to appear in LEED AP exam, he should be involved with any project registered with USGBC at most three years prior to application. It proves a major hurdle for a lot of new aspirants like me who has not prior project experience in any Green Building project. In comparison IGBC has not any such restriction for a time being.
Other rating system/ evaluations exist in India. How is IGBC differing from GRIHA?
Like IGBC which is promoted by CII under partnership with USGBC, There is another rating “GRIHA” system in practice in Indian context.
GRIHA, an acronym for Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment, is the National Rating System of India. GRIHA has been conceived by TERI and developed jointly with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India. It is a green building 'design evaluation system', and is suitable for all kinds of buildings in different climatic zones of the country.
ADaRSH, Association for Development and Research of Sustainable Habitats, is mandated to promote development of buildings and habitats in India through GRIHA. ADaRSH an independent platform for the interaction on scientific and administrative issues related to sustainable habitats in the Indian subcontinent. It was founded jointly by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi) and MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India) along with a handful of experts in the sustainability of built environment from across the country.
For more details visit its URL http://www.grihaindia.org/
GRIHA often conducted several training programmes for Evaluators and trainers in various cities, schedule of which can be obtained online from their site. At the end of programme participant is awarded with a certificate which remain valid for two years. This is non residential training programme mostly ranges across 3 days. Unlike IGBC, there is no exam arranged by GRIHA. For a quick view one can click the link below to see the programme detail for their recently held programme in Mumbai.
http://www.grihaindia.org/events/Mumbai_Programme_Brochure.pdf
What is the procedure to appear for IGBC-AP exam?
IGBC AP exam is open for all professionals acting in Building & Construction Industry and there are no minimum criteria. The exam held in routine across various cities. The pattern of exam is based on online platform and result is available immediately after the exam. As per past trend there are set of 110 objective type questions and one have to answer at least 85 of them to cross the barrier. Go to relevant page in IGBC website, book your exam schedule and send them Demand Draft at their Hyderabad address. You will get the confirmation receipt after your fee reached there.
For more information, one can visit the webpage.
http://www.igbc.in/site/igbc/igbcapexam.jsp
Examination pattern
The exam pattern is not particularly based on any specific rating system but it actually test candidate’s awareness about Green building procedures and techniques. The whole exam has been divided in four parts. There is optimum time to tackle the questions while taking exams. You can mark the questions for review, changes your answers till you finally submit your responses.
Section I : Green Building Design & Construction (50 questions approx.)
Section II : Building Standards & Codes (15 questions)
Section III : IGBC Resources and Processes (15 questions)
Section IV : Green Design Strategies & Impacts (30 questions)
Source of Information/ from where to study
The greyest area of IGBC AP exam is there is no defined set of study material, which can arouse confidence. But the other side it really helps to search through load of contents which actually enhance our general awareness. There is list of guides
1) IGBC/ LEED Abridged reference guide for Homes, New constructions and Core & Shell
These guides are free to download through respective publication section from IGBC homepage. Click the link below, besides these reference guides a number of newsletters and other article are also available there.
http://www.igbc.in/site/igbc/publication.jsp
These newsletters and abridged guides are tools for quick view and general awareness. For detailed information one should order IGBC LEED detailed reference guides by communicating them separately and sending DD of required amount. They will send you guide by post. I strongly recommend you to arrange a copy of detailed reference guide before you go ahead with your plan to appear for IGBC-AP. Otherwise I personally arranged for LEED reference guide published by USGBC, it has so much information and detailed description of various rating procedures, that it really require a good effort to go through all over it.
2) ECBC ( Energy conservation Building code of India)
3) ASHRAE standard
4) NBC (National Building code)
Going through detailed reference guide is just not enough for clearing the exam. There is some additional reading also required, which I mentioned above. One should have a basic knowledge of different standards applicable as mentioned above. If you have not a copy of them then procure it. A lot of required material is available online.
Other supporting Link
There is another blog I personally found very useful relating to IGBC exam queries.
http://blog.kiran.me/igbc-ap-exam-advice-and-study-guide.html
I hereby tried to explain information as per best of my knowledge. If anyone of have any further query, then he can ask me, I will be happy to answer those. By time i will try to add relevant information time by time to improve it.
