Reno Contracting Construction Trailer Achieves LEED Certification

Unique Green Jobsite Trailer Features Recycled Materials and Energy Efficiency Systems

SAN DIEGO — Reno Contracting, announced another first today with the LEED certification of a Job Site Construction Trailer. This is the first and only structure of its kind to achieve such a rating. The trailer serves as the operations offices for the Reno on-site team, and is presently located on a jobsite in Anaheim.

The trailer has achieved certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED for New Construction Version 2.2. LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Reno achieved LEED certification for the trailer by following specific green design criteria and construction methods that positively impact the project itself and the broader community.

“We had planned on building a ‘green’ construction trailer for a while, as a logical extension of our growing portfolio of LEED certified and other energy efficient projects,” explained Reno President Walt Fegley. “Together with the design teams of mechanical engineering firm Xnth, Ferguson Pape Baldwin Architects, and our subcontractors and vendors, we went to work to make it happen.”

LEED certification can be earned by a building that demonstrates it consumes less power and water, provides a healthier indoor environment, and produces less waste by lower consumption and recycling. Never before has a jobsite construction trailer received such a rating.

“Since the inception of LEED, it has always been important that the rating systems remain flexible and inclusive to varying types of buildings and facilities, knowing that reducing energy, water and natural resource consumption anywhere is going to contribute positively to the larger goal,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO & founding chair, USGBC. “Reno has demonstrated environmental leadership in a new forum.”

Material Reuse and Green Construction Materials
The frame and exterior walls of the Reno trailer were salvaged from an old trailer and reused as part of the new one. This kept the project from requiring new steel and wood framing. Likewise, many of the building products used in the trailer contain recycled or reclaimed materials. For example, carpet tiles were made from recycled rubber tires. Wall and ceiling insulation was composed of cotton from shredded denim jeans. Wall paneling was made from recycled HDPE piping products, and countertops were fabricated with crushed recycled glass.

Other considerations were given to indoor air quality, natural lighting and energy consumption. Adhesives used in the new casework and the paint applied to the trailer’s accent walls have extremely low levels of volatile organic compounds. This insures that the air inside the trailer is always of the highest quality. Through the use of large storefront style windows and a reflective interior light shelf, trailer occupants will have high levels of direct and indirect natural light.

The HVAC and lighting systems have been designed to minimize the amount of energy that the trailer uses. This includes utilizing fluorescent lighting and lighting control sensors throughout the trailer, as well as windows that feature an operable function, which allows for outside air to easily circulate throughout the trailer, minimizing the need for the use of the mechanical AC unit.

Energy Efficiency Team
Reno is ranked 9th in Southern California and 64th nationwide among Green Contractors.* Last year the company established Reno Efficient Sustainable Practices (Reno ESP(SM)), a group dedicated to providing training, consulting and management services aimed at creating efficient buildings. Reno ESP(SM) (www.renoesp.com) guides private and public sector clients through the facility optimization process by applying a proprietary “Roadmap to Efficiency and Sustainability.” This roadmap systematically leads to understanding and success in the new sustainable economy and high performance buildings.

Founded by Matt Reno in 1993, Reno Contracting has dedicated itself to progressive efficient processes, quality people and exemplary values in order to deliver outstanding value and service to our clients. Reno specializes in build-to-suit services for the biotech, medical, commercial, industrial and retail industries, solar PV, sustainable “green” construction and tenant improvements which have been a mainstay for Reno year in and year out, responsible for 25-45% of annual revenue. For further information on Reno Contracting, please visit www.renocon.com.

U.S. Green Building Council
The USGBC community is transforming the way we build, design and operate our buildings for healthier places that save precious resources for people to live, work, learn and play in. USGBC is helping create buildings and communities that regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Council is the driving force of the green building industry, which is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product by 2013. USGBC leads a diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials, concerned citizens, teachers and students. The USGBC community comprises 80 local chapters, 17,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 150,000 individuals who have earned LEED Professional Credentials. Visit www.usgbc.org for more information.

*Based on contracting revenue from registered sustainable projects. Source: ENR: Engineering News-Record, 2009; 2010.

SOURCE Reno Contracting