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While the IMMUNE Building Standard™ doesn't explicitly detail a "pre-certification" stage in the same way some other green building certifications do (e.g., IGBC's precertification for design stage), the process involves
Building owners or tenants can register with HDBI through HIIB India – a prerequisite to commence the engagement.
After engagement of HIIB India, Building owners or tenants can consult the list of 135 recommended measures. This suggests an initial phase of understanding assessing and/or planning the implementation of these measures.
The Assessors will evaluate the building's resilience using the Assessment Scoring Index. This assessment could serve a similar purpose to a precertification, allowing them to gauge their readiness and identify areas for improvement before a formal audit.
Yes, the IMMUNE Building Standard™ can and should be engaged from the design stage. The standard's measures encompass "architectural engineering and design measures" that are implemented in the building. (NOTE – as mentioned during the meeting – HIIB has not yet commenced this in India but we do hope to mobilise resources to suitably address this, if we have sufficient requirements of this nature)
Integrating IMMUNE principles early in the design process is crucial for achieving optimal results and the highest certification levels, which we believe would enable CAPITALAND to be a trailblazer in the REAL ESTATE domain in India.
As an example, Menarco Tower achieved a 5-star IMMUNE certification for "Shell & Core," highlighting that core building design elements are a key part of the assessment.
The IMMUNE Building Standard™ is designed to be applicable to various building types and occupancies:
The standard evaluates the entire building's resilience, including its systems, design, and operational practices. This would apply to a full campus or a standalone building.
The standard is also applicable to "any building owner, landlord or tenant," indicating that specific tenant spaces within a larger building can also pursue certification. Even a single tenant can implement the measures within their leased area to achieve a healthy and resilient workspace.
The assessment involves verifying how architectural, engineering and design measures were implemented, and how the facility management (FM) team is implementing "perpetual and ready to activate operational practices."10
Based on common practices in similar building certifications, IMMUNE certification renewal would involve a re-certification process, which typically includes a repeat audit. This means:
The standard evaluates the entire building's resilience, including its systems, design, and operational practices. This would apply to a full campus or a standalone building.
The re-certification process would verify the continued conformity and effectiveness of the implemented measures and operational practices, especially considering any changes in the building or updates to the standard.
A 1 to 2-year renewal cycle is followed with Immune Building Standards. This allows for regular verification of ongoing performance and adaptation to new research or evolving health considerations.
Since the IMMUNE Building Standard™ focuses specifically on health and well-being and resilience to health threats, this aligns very well with the "Social" (S) aspect of ESG and occupant well-being criteria within GRESB.
Clients can leverage IMMUNE certification for significant revenue and marketing benefits by.
In a post-pandemic world, health and wellness are top priorities. IMMUNE-certified buildings offer a tangible demonstration of commitment to occupant well-being, making them highly attractive to tenants and employees. This can lead to higher occupancy rates and potentially higher rental values.
: Achieving IMMUNE certification positions the client as a leader in healthy and resilient building design and operation. This enhances their brand reputation, showcasing their dedication to social responsibility and occupant welfare.
In a crowded real estate market, IMMUNE certification provides a unique selling proposition, differentiating the client's properties from competitors who may not prioritize health and safety to the same extent.
Healthier buildings with robust operational practices can command a higher asset value due to their improved performance, reduced healthrelated risks, and appeal to a health-conscious market.
By implementing IMMUNE measures, clients mitigate health-related risks for occupants, potentially reducing liability and ensuring business continuity during health crises.13 This can lead to lower insurance premiums and fewer disruptions.
The certification can be used in marketing materials, press releases, and public relations campaigns to highlight the building's commitment to health and safety, reaching a broader audience.
For owner-occupied buildings, a healthier indoor environment can lead to increased employee productivity, reduced absenteeism, and improved overall staff morale and retention.15
The "Accreditor” - Healthy by Design Building Institute - can award a building one of the three IMMUNE™ labels based on an extensive compliance report provided by an authorized building Assessor, an independent third-party company, HIIB in INDIA
There will be a fee for the certification itself, paid to the Healthy by Design Building Institute (HDBI) for reviewing the assessment report sent by HIIB and issuing the certification.
There will also be a separate fee for the assessment performed by HIIB, the authorized independent third-party Assessor in India. The assessors guide the client through the process, work with the Client team to ensure all data is accurately shared with them help them implement the measures, and then conduct the formal evaluation. Thereafter, post assessment, if the Client so desires, HIIB can work with the Client to implement more measures to improve the Certification achieved.
Therefore, the overall cost would typically involve both certification fees (to the HDBI) and consulting/assessment fees (to HIIB, the third-party Assessor).
Specific fee structure is determined on a project-by-project basis depending on building size, complexity, and the scope of services required from the Assessor.
The IMMUNE Building Standard™ relies on an "Assessment Scoring Index consisting of a set of 135 recommended measures, technical solutions, and facility management practices." The certification process involves:
An authorized assessor verifies how the "architectural engineering and design measures were implemented" and how the "Facility Management (FM) team is implementing the perpetual and ready to activate operational practices." This suggests a combination of:
Examining design documents, operational plans, maintenance logs, and procurement records, submitted by the Client, to confirm the implementation of required measures.
Physical inspection of the building to observe the implemented solutions and operational practices firsthand.
The standard incorporates a "Healthy by Design System (HbDS), which incorporates a network of specialized sensors that measure the indoor environment parameters such as air, humidity, temperature, or CO2 levels, devices and available technologies."2324 This indicates that ongoing data from these sensors plays a crucial role in the assessment of the building's performance.
Discussions with building management, facility teams, and potentially occupants to understand operational procedures and their effectiveness.
The emphasis is on both the installed "design measures" and the ongoing "operational practices," indicating a holistic approach to ensuring a healthy and resilient built environment.25