Source: Hanson Building Products, Irving, Texas
A tool deployed on upwards of 400 Hanson Pipe & Precast orders since its 2009 introduction has been modified for additional use by customers of sister Pressure Pipe and Structural Precast divisions. The LEED v2 calculator quantifies product criteria the U.S. Green Building Council recognizes in Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design certification.
“Our concrete products are inherently sustainable and can all contribute to LEED credit,” says Mike Leathers, senior vice president, Hanson Pressure Pipe and Hanson Structural Precast. “Hanson is able to provide customers with any LEED documentation needed for all six of our divisions … Our Pressure Pipe and Structural Precast customers and project owners can [now] enjoy the convenience of a fully-calculated report ready for submission.”
Recognizing that most of its products are engineered for a specific job and require custom calculations, Hanson Building Products enlisted Portland-based Green Building Services (GBS) in 2008 to develop a precise tool. The result is a calculator that quantifies products’ contribution to LEED recycled content and regional materials categories. A detailed report, provided free of charge on quick turnaround, displays the actual mileage and exact LEED-approved recycled content percentages of products, both in weight and dollar amount.
“With the growing demand for LEED certified projects, Hanson Building Products is able to support responsible construction and ensure customer needs are met with the calculator, which provides a faster and more convenient path to certification,” adds Leathers, noting that the v2 dovetails with a corporate sustainability vision Hanson bills as “Building on the Past. Restoring the Balance. Creating the Future.”