ASHRAE is looking for input on what criteria make a “green” health care building.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, and the American Society for Healthcare Engineering, are seeking comments on a propose standard on the design and operation of sustainable, high-performance health structures.

“Health care facilities are often the largest and most energy intensive buildings in a community,” said Michael Sheerin, chairman of the committee drafting the proposed standard. “In today’s competitive and regulated market, these facilities are challenged to provide capital for increasingly complex new buildings that meet sustainability objectives as they experience decreasing finances for life-sustaining services. In addition, health care facilities are home to services that require energy use for patient safety.”

The standard covers issues such as site selection, water use, energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality and a building’s impact on its surroundings. Comments are being taken at www.ashrae.org/publicreviews until Jan. 21, 2013.