Avinash asks:Dear sir, I Want become consultant of green bulding (facilitation) I had completed one complete Green building in Pune, India for M/s Thermax ltd.which is Silver rating, I know procedure how to Compliance documents.

As in future there is good demand for Green building consultants, I want to become professional person, as I am persuing M.B.A. for presentation skills... My Basic qualification is Civil engineer with 16 year practical experience. I have 750 Sq.ft.office space in Pune, India.

Please guide me how can I become professional Green building consultant in fast track.

Regards,
A.B.N

Answer: Hi Avinash, thank you for your email and question. I am not so sure about the demands/requirements in India, but since the laws of physics apply there as well as in the United States, I am sure the basics of green building are as needed there as they are here. Earning a LEED credential is an excellent way to begin a career as a green building consultant, especially if you are interested in commercial green building, where most of the money is to be made. In the U.S., inefficient (conventional) buildings are a huge problem to address. For instance, according to a recent Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS), in 2003, there were 4.9 million commercial buildings in the United States with approximately 71.6 billion square feet of space. Of the 6,500 trillion Btus of energy (electricity and natural gas) that was consumed by them, 36% was used for space heating and 21% was used for lighting.

To give you an idea of the opportunity here, the California Energy Commission estimates that energy savings from lighting controls in commercial and institutional buildings in the United States may be in the range of 35%-45%. Also, another study of 58 office buildings by the Lighting Research Center suggests that 43% savings can be achieved by installing occupancy sensors and upwards of 61% when this is combined with manual dimming equipment.

This adds up to real dollars (or rupees) no matter where you are.

The IGBC AP credential in India may be a very good credential for you to have in India as a sustainability consultant... It does not appear that the LEED GA credential is offered there. However, you could take this exam in the U.S. and earn the credential.

To become an IGBC AP (Accredited Professional) in India, you should visit this page for the Indian Green Building Council. I know that the exam is available to be taken in Pune, your city in India.

Some sample questions from the IGBC AP exam are:

SECTION I: Green Building Design & Construction
(This section will comprise of 50 questions)

The purpose of this section is to demonstrate the candidate's general understanding of the green building design and construction industry as they relate to green building practices.

Sample Question :

1. Oil grit separators are installed to:

* To filter oil in storm water run-off
* To capture storm water run-off from surface parking areas
* To recover oil spilling at site
* To mix oil with storm water

SECTION II: Building Standards & Codes
(This section will comprise of 15 questions)

This section is to verify the candidate's understanding and knowledge on few of the local building standards and codes as they relate to environmental aspects

Sample Question :

2. The Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) is applicable to buildings or building complexes that have a connected load

* 500 kW or greater
* Lesser than 500 kW
* 800 kW or greater
* Lesser than 800 kW

SECTION III: IGBC Processes
(This section will comprise of 15 questions)

This section would test the candidate's understanding of processes and resources related to IGBC programmes

Sample Question :

3. If a credit point has been denied for a project and the project team feels they have complied with the credit requirement, the project team

* Can write to the IGBC staff
* Cannot do anything
* Can appeal for review of the credit
* Can declare themselves of having achieved the credit

SECTION IV: Green Design Strategies & Impacts
(This section will comprise of 30 questions)

This section is to evaluate understanding of green building strategies and the impact that they would result in. The candidate is required to match the impact to a strategy provided

Sample Question :

4. Perform soil and climate analysis to determine the species of plants which will adapt best

* Improve erosion & sedimentation control
* Enhance the aesthetics
* Reduce water requirement for landscaping
* Reduce water consumption in fixtures

Answers to sample questions: (1) a (2) a (3) c (4) c

The exam may be similar in content to the LEED Green Associate exam in the United States. However, I am not sure about this. If anyone who has taken the IGBC AP exma has insight, please let us know.

Good luck!
Green-Buildings.com

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