Up to 15% Floor Area Ratio Relaxation for Green Building Certifications

From now on, when obtaining certifications related to green buildings, the floor area ratio and height can each be increased by up to 15%.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on the 27th that it will implement the partial revision notice of the "Energy-saving Design Standards for Buildings" containing this content starting from the 28th.

According to current laws, buildings that obtain certifications related to green buildings such as Zero Energy Building certification, are designated as pilot project targets, or use recycled building materials (at least 15% of aggregate), can apply relaxed building standards (floor area ratio and height) by up to 15%.

However, the benefits of relaxed building standards could not be applied cumulatively. Until the revision of the Building Act and others in the past 1-2 years, even if all green building-related certifications were obtained, only one case with the largest relaxation rate was recognized.

Before (above) and after revision, application method of relaxation standards / Image provided by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has, in line with the legal amendments, revised detailed standards for the relaxation of building standards related to green buildings. Previously, within the maximum relaxation rate range, the building standards were relaxed separately for floor area ratio and height, but from now on, they can be applied individually within the range. For example, instead of 'floor area ratio (10%) + height (5%)', it will be possible to apply 'floor area ratio and height each at 15%.'

The evaluation method for the energy performance indicator (EPI), a technical element for reducing building energy consumption, specifically for 'heat recovery ventilation systems,' has also been diversified. Until now, it was evaluated only by the sensible heat exchange method, but due to recent changes in related standards (KS) distinguishing between sensible and latent heat, a latent heat method has been newly established in the EPI evaluation criteria.

In addition, the exemption benefit for acquiring the minimum EPI score, which can be received when satisfying the building energy consumption total volume system (demand evaluation system) compliance criteria, has been expanded from certain uses and targets to all buildings. The plan is to activate a method that can comprehensively evaluate the energy performance of buildings.

Kim Tae-o, Director of the Green Building Division at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "We have promoted revisions such as allowing cumulative application of relaxed building standards to activate green buildings, a core policy for carbon neutrality," and added, "We will prepare practical benefits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector so that not only the public sector but also the private sector can actively participate."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.