To support development of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) catering to contracts for green building certification candidate projects—especially those targeting the recently released LEED v4—producers and allied groups are finalizing a North American Precast Concrete Product Category Rule (PCR) through program operator ASTM International.
The document will suit EPD for architectural and structural components in building and nonbuilding work: walls, columns, floors, roofs, facades, bridge substructure and superstructure, plus underground utility and drainage. It specifies rules, requirements and guidelines for developing precast concrete EPD and underlying requirements of related Life Cycle Assessments (LCA). Compliant declarations prepared with the Precast PCR will present data over the raw materials acquisition, transportation and manufacturing life cycle phases.
The PCR joins similar documents the Carbon Leadership Forum and National Concrete Masonry Association issued earlier this year for ready mixed concrete and block & paver units, respectively. Along with the National Precast Concrete Association, it was drafted by Lafarge North America, Lindsay Concrete and Oldcastle Building Systems representatives, plus the American Concrete Pipe Association, Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, and Resource Management Associates. Additional information on the Precast PCR and EPD emergence in project specifications can be obtained from NPCA Director of Sustainability and Technical Education Claude Goguen, P.E., LEED AP, 800/366-7731; [email protected].
CRADLE-TO-GATE PRECAST PLANT SYSTEM BOUNDARY
“Product Category Rules For Preparing an Environmental Product Declaration for Precast Concrete” meticulously details the LCA framework according to guidelines in ISO 14000 Environmental management standards. The PCR for Precast will encompass structural, architectural, specialty, utility and drainage products for above and below-grade applications.