U.C. - Riverside Minds its Mess

HDR, architectural, engineering and consulting firm implements green design for UC-Riverside.

Growth equals more waste. Growth in science education equals more hazardous waste...

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) recently completed projections showing that the university could enroll up to 20,320 students by 2010 -- an increase from its present enrollment of 14,200.

College planners contemplate that the increase of academic programs in the sciences will impact their Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) facility in the functional areas of industrial hygiene, materials handling, training programs and administration.

UCR's new Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) facility, when completed, will manage all outgoing campus hazardous waste including future research facilities.

College planners worked with design consultants to provide the facility with adequate and appropriate space, cost-effective construction, and efficient green operations.

WHAT KNDS OF WASTE ARE PRODUCED AT COLLEGES?

UCR planners analyzed several campus waste management facilities--including those at the Iowa State University, UC San Diego, and UC Irvine and noted an overall change in the types and quantities of waste generated. Many universities handle three traditional types of waste: chemical, biomedical, and radiation.


"Hazardous Waste" makes it dangerous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment. Hazardous Waste can be liquids, solids, contained gases, or sludges.

Chemical waste refers to any chemical substances generated from university operations. Over the past few decades, chemical waste quantities and toxicity have remained relatively consistent.

Biomedical waste can be a health and safety hazard due to the nature of the waste and may contain disease causing germs. Due to the risk that these wastes present, disposal is regulated.

Radioactive waste contains or is contaminated with radioactivity. Campuses have decreased this waste due to different types of radioactive testing.

One of UCR's project goals is to provide a facility that serves as a model for environmental sustainability. The design team is charged with the task of planning this facility to achieve a LEED certified rating of at least 26 points up to 32 points, based on the current US Green Building Council LEED 2.1 Rating System. To achieve this design decisions affecting first cost vs. life-cycle costs, operational issues, materials selections, and maintenance must be considered.

Some of the green techniques incorporated in the design include:

• recyclable concrete masonry units (CMU) as building material.
  
• clerestory windows rather than skylights will be used to bring more natural light into the administrative center and decrease the need for artificial lighting during working hours.
  
• recycled materials, carpets and paints that are environment-friendly in restrooms and break rooms
  
• spill containment in the event of a hazardous event. Storage rooms floors will be sloped away from doors allowing for individual room containment. The loading dock area will self contain 20,000 gallons of runoff with a secondary naturally landscape depressed area in the front to hold an additional 30,000 gallons.
  

At UCR, accommodating waste quantity projection and the changing nature of waste, also accommodates community needs.

In addition to its sustainability, the new EH&S facility will contain a training center that can function as a stand alone 24/7 Command/ Emergency Operations Center in the event of a major disaster. This makes UCR an asset to both the University of California and the entire Riverside community.

SOURCE: www.hdrinc.com/