Siemens (News - Alert) Industry, Inc., recently announced the availability of “Green Building Operations and Maintenance Manual: A Guide for Public Housing Authorities”. Developed in collaboration with Green Seal (News - Alert), Inc., the manual provides tips for public housing authorities and other building owners to reduce the use of energy, water, and toxic chemicals and operate facilities in a more sustainable, healthy manner.

“For the first time,” says Mike Kearney, senior director for Siemens Industry, Inc. Building Technologies Division, “public housing authorities and building owners have access to a peer-developed source that provides practical, actionable guidance in an easy-to-use format that transcends the ‘how’ and reveals ‘why’ these recommended actions are important for the longevity of the housing developments they manage. Over time, the practices outlined in the manual will help both residents and their surrounding communities improve their quality of life.”

The manual addresses various issues such as facility maintenance and management best practices including HVAC systems, plumbing fixtures, lighting, landscaping, and recycling. It also provides suggestions and tools on ways building owners and operators can engage residents and encourage them to participate in improving the sustainability of the communities in which they live.

“The Green Building Operations and Maintenance Manual is unique in that no other green operations resource focuses on multi-unit housing or provides such comprehensive, detailed guidance for free. The guidance is more than academic; these are practices facilities managers can start implementing today to take a significant step toward a sustainable society,” says Dr. Arthur B. Weissman, president and CEO of Green Seal.

The manual is funded by selected public housing authorities through an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Green Seal, and Siemens, collaborated to develop the manual and customize it for regions of the U.S., with geographically-specific guidelines and information.

Rahul Arora is a TMCnet contributor. He has worked as an editor and freelance writer for several reputed organizations in India. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Jennifer Russell