ASHRAE's High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP) certification earns ANSI accreditation

ASHRAE recently announced that its High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP) certification has received accreditation from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), becoming the first certification from the organization to earn the recognition.

According to a press release, ASHRAE received word on June 25 that the ANSI Personnel Certification Accreditation Committee had granted the accreditation under International Organization for Standardization (ISO) / International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 17024:2012. The accreditation came as ASHRAE kicked off its 2015 Annual Conference (June 27-July 1) in Atlanta. An exam for the HBDP certification was offered as part of the conference.

According to ASHRAE, launched in 2008, the HBDP certification program provides the necessary training and tools for the design of high-performance buildings that live up to their performance capability. The program combines the criteria of ASHRAE Standards 90.1 (energy efficiency), 62.1 (ventilation) and 55 (thermal comfort) with the innovative approaches included in the organization's Advanced Energy Design Guide series, an integrated design approach that strives to achieve practical, cost-effective high-performance building designs.

“Gaining third-party accreditation under a rigorous, international standard not only validates the quality of the ASHRAE program, but also helps guarantee enhanced recognition in the global marketplace of individual consumers and governmental bodies,” comments Tom Phoenix, P.E., Fellow ASHRAE, ASHRAE-Certified BEAP and BEMP.

Phoenix adds, “Gaining ANSI accreditation of the HBDP program aligns with the ASHRAE Strategic Plan and sets the stage for accreditation of other ASHRAE certification programs, including those in key, energy related jobs. As a holder of two ASHRAE certifications, I can speak to the value they bring me in the industry.”

Some 171 individuals hold the HBDP certification. More information about the program can be found at www.ashrae.org/certification.