GRIHA

GREEN RATING FOR INTEGRATED

HABITAT ASSESSMENT

GREEN BUILDING
Sustainable, or "green building," design and construction provide
an opportunity to use resources more efficiently, while creating
healthier and more energy-efficient homes and commercial
buildings.
Successful green buildings :
Leave a lighter footprint on the environment through
conservation of resources.
Are energy-efficient.
Are cost-effective.
Requires low-maintenance products for construction needs.
In other words, green-building design involves finding the
delicate balance between homebuilding and a sustainable
environment.

GRIHA GREEN RATING FOR INTEGRATED HABITAT ASSESSMENT

GRIHA is developed by TERI (The energy and resources Institute) for the ministry of new and Renewable
energy. This is the indigenous national rating system developed by the ministry to cover the climatic variations,
architectural practices, existing practices of construction and attempting to revive the passive architecture.
GRIHA rating system takes into account the provisions of the National Building Codes 2005 , The energy
conservation Building Code 2007 announced by BEE and other IS codes.
The rating system based on accepted energy and environmental principles, seeks to strike a balance between
the established practices and emerging concepts, both national and international .

GRIHA MEANING: GRIHA is a Sanskrit word meaning Abode. GRIHA promotes passive techniques to
reduce energy cost while keeping the optimum thermal comfort inside the build environment.

WHAT DOES GRIHA DO ?

They encourage non energy demanding air conditioning systems and the solar heating systems.
Passive cooling and heating can be replicated for the masses and can reduce the energy load of the
country.
GRIHA is also focusing on the growing residential sector by providing simple, affordable and
versatile approach to the citizens through their website, which is instrumental in creating
awareness among citizens as well as giving them an alternative viewpoint.
GRIHA is also focusing on promoting energy efficiency in existing buildings in urban areas which
will in return reduce energy demand.

VARIANTS OF GRIHA
SVAGRIHA FOR BUILDING AREA - 100 2499 sqm.
GRIHA FOR BUILDING AREA 2500 1,50,000 sqm.
GRIHA LD FOR BUILDING AREA - > 50 hectare site area

GRIHA RATING SYSTEM

Point system with differential weight age on various Criteria
50-60
*
61-70
**
71-80
***
81-90
****
91-100
*****

KEY POINTS ABOUT GRIHA

Sets out guidelines for design, construction and operation.

Combination of qualitative and quantitative criteria.
Sets performances benchmarks for key resources like, energy and water.
Facilitates integration of traditional knowledge on architecture with present day technology.
Integrates all relevant Indian codes and standards(e.g National building code 2005, Energy Conservation Building
Code 2007, IS codes).
Is in complete alignment with government policies and programs (e.g Environmental clearance by the MoEF).

CRITERIA OF RATING :
NO.

CRITERIA

POINTS

Site selection

Preserve and protect landscape during

construction

Soil conservation (till post-construction)

Design to include existing site features

Reduce hard paving on-site and/or provide

shaded hard-paved surfaces

Enhance outdoor lighting system efficiency and

use renewable energy system for meeting
outdoor lighting requirements

Plan utilities efficiently and optimize on-site

circulation efficiency

Provide minimum level of sanitation/safety

facilities for construction workers

Reduce air pollution during construction

SITE PLANNING

HEALTH AND
WELL BEING

NO.

CRITERIA

POINTS

10

Reduce landscape water requirement

11

Reduce water use in the building

12

Efficient water use during construction

13

Optimize building design to reduce conventional

energy demand

14

Optimize energy performance of building within

specified comfort limits

16

15

Utilization of fly-ash in building structure

16

Reduce volume, weight, and construction time by

adopting efficient technologies (such as pre-cast systems)

17

Use low-energy material in interiors

18

Renewable energy utilization

19

Renewable-energy-based hot water system

20

Waste water treatment

21

Water recycle and reuse (including rainwater)

BUILDING
PLANNING AND
CONSTRUCTION
STAGE

RECYCLE,
RECHARGE
&REUSE

NO.

CRITERIA

POINTS

22

Reduction in waste during construction

23

Efficient waste segregation

24

Storage and disposal of wastes

25

Resource recovery from waste

26

Use low-VOC paints/adhesives/sealants

27

Minimize ozone depleting substances

28

Ensure water quality

29

Acceptable outdoor and indoor noise levels

30

Tobacco smoke control

31

Provide at least the minimum level of accessibility

for persons with disabilities

32

Energy audit and validation

MANDA
-TORY

33

Operation and maintenance

34

Innovation points

WASTE
MANAGE
MENT

HEALTH
&WELL
BEING

Evaluation procedure and Criterion of GRIHA RATING

Criteria 1 - Site Selection
Commitment:
Site plan should be in conformity to the Development Plan/Master Plan/ guidelines.
Site should be located within km radius of an existing or planned bus stops, commuter rail, light rail or
metro station or the proposed site is a Brownfield site (to rehabilitate damaged sites where development is
complicated by environmental contamination, reducing pressure on undeveloped land).
Evaluation points: 1(Partly Mandatory )
Criteria 2 - Preserve and protect the landscape during construction / compensatory depository
forestation.
Commitment : Proper timing of construction, preserve top soil and existing vegetation, staging and spill
prevention, and erosion and sedimentation control. Replant, on-site, trees in the ratio 1:3 to those removed
during construction.
Evaluation points :- 5 (Partly Mandatory )
Criteria 3 Soil conservation (till post-construction).
Commitment : Proper top soil laying and stabilization of the soil and maintenance of adequate fertility of
the soil to support vegetative growth.
Evaluation points :- 4

Criteria 4 Design to include existing site features

Commitment: Minimize the disruption of natural ecosystem and design to harness maximum
benefits of the prevailing micro-climate.
Evaluation points :- 2 ( Mandatory )
Criteria 5 Reduce hard paving on-site and /or provide shaded hard- paved surfaces.
Commitment :
Minimize storm water run-off from site by reducing hard paving on site.
Evaluation points :- 2 (Partly Mandatory )
Criteria 5 Reduce hard paving on-site and /or provide shaded hard- paved surfaces.
Commitment :
Minimize storm water run-off from site by reducing hard paving on site.
Evaluation points :- 2 (Partly Mandatory )
Criteria 6 Enhance outdoor lighting system efficiency.
Commitment
Meet minimum allowable luminous efficacy (as per lamp type) and make progressive use of a
renewable energy based lighting system.
Evaluation points :- 3

Criteria 7 Plan utilities efficiently and optimize on-site circulation efficiency.

Commitment
Minimize road and pedestrian walkway length by appropriate planning and provide aggregate
corridors for utility lines.
Evaluation points :- 3
Criteria 8 Provide sanitation/safety facilities for construction workers.
Commitment
Ensure cleanliness of workplace with regard to the disposal of waste and effluent, provide clean
drinking water and latrines and urinals as per applicable standard.
Evaluation points :- 2 ( Mandatory )
Criteria 9 Reduce air pollution during construction.
Commitment
Ensure proper screening, covering stockpiles, covering brick and loads of dusty materials, wheelwashing facility, water spraying.
Evaluation points :- 2 ( Mandatory )
Criteria 10 Reduce landscape water requirement.
Commitment
Landscape using native species and reduce lawn areas while enhancing the irrigation efficiency,
reduction in water requirement for landscaping purposes.
Evaluation points :- 3

Criterion 11 Reduce building water use.

Commitment
Reduce building water use by applying low-flow fixtures, etc.
Evaluation points :- 2
Criterion 12 Efficient water use during construction.
Commitment
Use materials such as pre-mixed concrete for preventing loss during mixing. Use recycled treated water
and control the waste of curing water.
Evaluation points :-1
Criterion 13 Optimize building design to reduce the conventional energy demand.
Commitment
Plan appropriately to reflect climate responsiveness, adopt an adequate comfort range, less air-conditioned
areas, day lighting integration, avoid over-design of the lighting and air-conditioning systems .
Evaluation points :- 6 ( Mandatory )
Criterion 14 Optimize the energy performance of the building within specified limits.
Commitment
Ensure that energy consumption in building under a specified category is 10%40% less than that
benchmarked through a simulation exercise. Ensure that thermal comfort in non air conditioned spaces are
within specified limits.
Evaluation points :- 12

Criterion 15 Utilization of fly ash in the building structure.

Commitment : Use of fly ash for RCC (reinforced cement concrete) structures with in-fill walls and
load bearing structures, mortar, and binders.
Evaluation points :- 6
Criteria 16 Reduce volume, weight, and time of construction by adopting an efficient
technology (e.g. pre-cast systems, ready-mix concrete, etc.).
Commitment
Replace a part of the energy-intensive materials with less energy- intensive materials and/or utilize
regionally available materials, which use low- energy/energy-efficient technologies .
Evaluation points :- 4
Criteria 17 Use low-energy material in interiors.
Commitment .
Minimum 70% in each of the three categories of interiors (internal partitions, paneling/false
ceiling/interior wood finishes/ in-built furniture door/window frames, flooring) from low-energy
materials/finishes to minimize the usage of wood.
Evaluation points :- 4

Criteria 18 Renewable energy utilization.

Commitment
Mandatory to provide renewable energy system with capacity equivalent to 1% of connected load
for lighting and space conditioning. Meet energy requirements for a minimum of 5% of the internal
lighting load (for general lighting) or its equivalent from renewable energy sources (solar, wind,
biomass, fuel cells, etc).
Energy requirements will be calculated based on realistic assumptions which will be subject to
verification during appraisal.
Evaluation points :- 5 (Partly Mandatory )
Criteria 19 Renewable energy - based hot- water system.
Commitment
Meet 20% or more of the annual energy required for heating water through renewable energy based
water-heating systems.
Evaluation points :- 3
Criteria 20 Waste- water treatment
Commitment
Provide necessary treatment of water for achieving the desired concentration of effluents .
Evaluation points :- 2

Criteria 21 Water recycle and reuse(including rainwater).

Commitment
Provide wastewater treatment on-site for achieving prescribed concentration, rainwater harvesting,
reuse of treated waste water and rainwater for meeting the buildings water and irrigation demand.
Evaluation points :- 5
Criteria 22 Waste management
Commitment
To minimize waste generation, streamline waste segregation, storage, and disposal, and promote
resource recovery from waste.
Evaluation points :- 2
Criteria 23 Reduction in waste during construction.
Commitment
Ensure maximum resource recovery and safe disposal of wastes generated during construction and
reduce the burden on landfill .
Evaluation points :- 2
Criteria 24 Efficient waste segregation
Commitment
Use different colored bins for collecting different categories of waste from the building.
Evaluation points :- 2

Criteria 25 Storage and disposal of waste.

Commitment
Allocate separate space for the collected waste before transferring it to the recycling/disposal
stations.
Evaluation points :- 2
Criteria 26 Resource recovery from waste.
Commitment
Employ resource recovery systems for biodegradable waste as per the Solid Waste Management and
handling Rules, 2000 of the MoEF. Make arrangements for recycling of waste through local dealers.
Evaluation points :- 4
Criteria 26 Use of low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints/ adhesives / sealants.
Commitment
Use only low VOC paints in the interior of the building. Use water based rather than solvent based
sealants and adhesives.
Evaluation points :- 4
Criteria 27 Minimize ozone depleting substances.
Commitment
Employ 100% zero ODP (ozone depletion potential) insulation; HCFC (hydro chlorofluorocarbon)/
and CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) free HVAC and refrigeration equipment and/ halon-free fire
suppression and fire extinguishing systems.

Criteria 28: Ensure water quality

Commitment
Ensure groundwater and municipal water meet the water quality norms as prescribed in the Indian
Standards for various applications (Indian Standards for drinking [IS 10500-1991], irrigation
applications [IS 11624-1986].
In case the water quality cannot be ensured, provide necessary treatment of raw water for achieving
the desired concentration for various applications
Evaluation points :- 2 ( Mandatory )
Criterion 29: Acceptable outdoor and indoor noise levels.
Commitment
Ensure outdoor noise level conforms to the Central Pollution Control BoardEnvironmental
StandardsNoise (ambient standards) and indoor noise level conforms to the National Building Code
of India, 2005, Bureau of Indian Standards, Part 8Building Services; Section 4Acoustics, sound
insulation, and noise control.
Evaluation points :- 2
Criterion 30 Tobacco and smoke control.
Commitment
Zero exposure to tobacco smoke for non-smokers, and exclusive ventilation for smoking rooms .
Evaluation points :- 1

Criteria 31 Universal accessibility

Commitment
To ensure accessibility and usability of the building and its facilities by employees, visitors and
clients with disabilities .
Evaluation points: 1
Criteria 32 Energy audit and validation.
Commitment
Energy audit report to be prepared by approved auditors of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency,
Government of India.
Evaluation points: 1(Mandatory )
Criteria 33 Operation and maintenance protocol for electrical & mechanical equipment .
Commitment
Ensure he inclusion of a specific clause in the contract document for the commissioning of all
electrical and mechanical systems to be maintained by the owner, supplier, or operator. group, which
will be responsible for the O & M of the building and the electrical and mechanical systems after the
commissioning.
Owner/ builder/ occupants/ service or facility to prepare a fully documented operations and
maintenance manual, CD, multimedia or an information brochure listing the best practices/dos and
donts/maintenance requirements for the building and the electrical and mechanical systems along
with the names and addresses of the manufacturers/suppliers of the respective system.
Evaluation points: 2( Mandatory )

Criteria 34 Innovation points.

Four innovation points are available under the rating system for adopting criteria which enhance
the green intent of a project, and the applicant can apply for the bonus points Some of the
probable points, not restricted to the ones enumerated below, could be
Alternative transportation
Environmental education
Company policy on green supply chain
Life cycle cost analysis
Any other criteria proposed by applicant
Evaluation points: 4 Bonus (beyond 100)

SCORING POINTS FOR GRIHA

GRIHA has a 100 point system consisting of some core points, which are mandatory to be met
while the rest are optional points, which can be earned by complying with the commitment of the
criterion for which the point is allocated. The innovation points are available over and above the
100 point system. This means that a project can hypothetically apply for a maximum of 104 points.
But the final scoring shall be done out of 100 points. Different levels of certification (one star to
five star) are awarded based on the number of points earned. The minimum points required for
certification is 50. Buildings scoring 50 to 60 points, 61 to 70 points, 71 to 80 points, and 81 to 90
points shall get one star, two stars, three stars and four stars respectively. A building scoring
91 to 100 points will get the maximum rating viz. five stars.

Operationalization of GRIHA

National Advisory Council (NAC)

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
The Ministry proposes to incentivize the National Rating System with a view to promote large
scale design and construction of green buildings in the country.

National Advisory Council (NAC)

The NAC shall be chaired by the Secretary, MNRE and co-chaired by the Director General, TERI.
The NAC shall provide advice and direction to the National Rating System and shall be the interface
between MNRE and the rating secretariat, which will be located within TERI. Its broad functions
will be as below:
Guide the administrative structure for GRIHA
Decide fee structure
Endorse the rating
Recommend incentives, awards etc. by GOI /State Govt.
Endorse modifications / upgrades from time to time.

Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)

A Technical Advisory Committee has been be constituted by the MNRE for providing technical
advice to the GRIHA team on modifications and up gradation of the GRIHA framework to a
National Rating System.
The technical advisory team shall comprise eminent architects and experts well versed with
design and
construction of green buildings .

REFERENCE
GRIHA
http://grihaindia.org
MNRE
http://www.mnre.gov.in

THANK