Deerfield Beach, Fla. – MAPEI Corporation has joined the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) and has registered a number of its adhesives, mortars, grouts and waterproofing products with the CHPS High Performance Products database. “We believe the programs that have evolved from the Collaborative for High Performance Schools provide a standard that sets the bar for manufacturing companies who want to demonstrate their sustainability in the construction market,” said Neil McMurdie, Director of Research & Development for MAPEI Americas.
In 1999, California’s major utilities came together in a collaborative effort to address energy efficiency in the state’s public schools. Since that time the Collaborative for High Performance Schools has expanded to encompass all aspects of school design, construction and operation and has spread to 11 other states –Washington, New York, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Texas, Colorado and Virginia. A CHPS program for Hawaii is currently under development.
According to the organization, “CHPS provides resources to schools, school districts and professionals about all aspects of high performance school design, construction and operation. CHPS develops tools that help make schools energy-, water- and material-efficient; well-lit; thermally comfortable; acoustically sound; safe; healthy, and easy to operate. These resources include a well-respected six-volume best practices manual, training and conferences, a high performance building rating and recognition program and other tools for creating healthy, green schools.”
The database expands on the success of the CHPS low-emitting materials list to include other attributes, such as recycled content, rapidly renewable material content, organically grown material content, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood products, and life cycle and multiple attribute claims. Through CHPS’ alliance with the Carpet and Rug Institute, a list of adhesives that meet low VOC claims is also available to design professionals on the CRI website. “Now, the architectural and design community, as well as other members of the community, can consult two reputable resources to find products that have been tested against industry standards to deliver the most sustainable construction for schools and other buildings,” McMurdie noted.