epd-research

Name: epd-research
Author: AlpacaLabsLLC

260stars54forks

How to install epd-research?

alpacalabsllc/skills-for-architects/epd-research

$npx -y skills add AlpacaLabsLLC/skills-for-architects --skill epd-research

Installs into the current project.

Summary

Search for EPDs by product category, CSI division, or material type — finds EPDs from EC3, program operator registries, and manufacturer sites. Use when the user asks to "find EPDs for...", locate declarations for a material, or source low-carbon product documentation.

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SKILL.md

1	# /epd-research — EPD Research
2
3	Receives a brief describing a material or product category, searches the web for matching EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations), and returns a curated shortlist sorted by environmental impact. Selected EPDs are saved to the EPD Google Sheet — the same one used by `/epd-parser` and the other EPD skills.
4
5	## How It Works
6
7	```
8	User describes what they need EPDs for
9	\|
10	Claude searches registries + manufacturer sites
11	\|
12	Presents candidates sorted by GWP (lowest first)
13	\|
14	User picks winners
15	\|
16	Saved to EPD Google Sheet (42-column schema)
17	```
18
19	## Step 1: Take the Brief
20
21	The user describes what they need EPDs for. A brief can be loose or specific:
22
23	Loose:
24	> "I need concrete EPDs"
25
26	Specific:
27	> "Looking for ready-mix concrete EPDs, 4000-5000 PSI, plants within 500 miles of NYC, GWP under 350 kg CO2e/m3"
28
29	### What to capture from the brief
30
31	Extract as many of these as the user provides. Don't ask for fields they didn't mention — work with what you have.
32
33	\| Field \| Examples \|
34	\|-------\|---------\|
35	\| Material/product \| Ready-mix concrete, structural steel, mineral wool insulation, carpet tile \|
36	\| CSI division \| Division 03, Division 09, "all structural materials" \|
37	\| Performance specs \| 4000 PSI, R-21, Class A fire rating \|
38	\| Geographic preference \| Plants near NYC, manufactured in North America, European suppliers ok \|
39	\| GWP target \| Under 350 kg CO2e/m3, below industry average, lowest available \|
40	\| Manufacturers \| "Include Holcim and CEMEX", "no imported steel" \|
41	\| EPD type \| Product-specific only, industry-average ok \|
42	\| Standard \| EN 15804+A2, ISO 21930 \|
43	\| Certification \| LEED v4.1 eligible, third-party verified \|
44
45	Don't interview the user. If the brief is "concrete EPDs," that's enough to start searching. Clarify after showing initial results if needed.
46
47	## Step 2: Research
48
49	Search the web for EPDs matching the brief. Use multiple targeted queries to cover different sources.
50
51	### Key registries and sources
52
53	\| Source \| URL pattern \| Notes \|
54	\|--------\|------------\|-------\|
55	\| Building Transparency / EC3 \| buildingtransparency.org \| Largest EPD database. Requires authenticated API access (free professional account + API key). See notes below. \|
56	\| UL EPD Program \| ul.com \| Major US program operator. Product-specific EPDs. \|
57	\| NSF International \| nsf.org \| US program operator, strong in concrete/masonry. \|
58	\| SCS Global Services \| scsglobalservices.com \| US program operator. \|
59	\| Environdec (International EPD System) \| environdec.com \| Largest international registry. European + global. \|
60	\| IBU (Institut Bauen und Umwelt) \| ibu-epd.com \| German program operator. Strong in European products. \|
61	\| ASTM International \| astm.org \| US program operator (newer). \|
62	\| Manufacturer sites \| varies \| Major manufacturers publish EPDs on their sustainability pages. \|
63
64	### Search strategy
65
66	For a brief like "ready-mix concrete EPDs, 4000 PSI, near NYC":
67
68	1. Program operator search: `site:ul.com ready-mix concrete environmental product declaration`
69	2. International registry search: `site:environdec.com ready-mix concrete EPD`
70	3. Manufacturer + region search: `ready-mix concrete EPD northeast US 4000 PSI`
71	4. Specific manufacturer searches if mentioned: `Holcim ready-mix EPD`, `CEMEX concrete EPD`
72	5. Industry body search: `NRMCA concrete EPD` (National Ready Mixed Concrete Association)
73
74	Run 3-5 searches depending on brief complexity. Aim for breadth — different manufacturers, regions, GWP ranges.
75
76	### For each EPD found
77
78	Attempt to fetch the registry page or EPD listing with WebFetch. Extract:
79
80	- Product name and manufacturer
81	- GWP (A1-A3) per declared unit — the primary comparison metric
82	- Declared unit
83	- Program operator and registration number
84	- System boundary
85	- Validity dates
86	- Link to EPD PDF
87	- Plant/facility and location (if listed)
88
89	If the page is JS-rendered and returns limited data, use whatever info is available from the search result snippet plus general knowledge. Note as "unverified" if sourced from snippets.
90
91	Target: 6-12 EPD candidates that genuinely match the brief. Don't pad with weak matches.
92
93	## Step 3: Present Candidates
94
95	Show results as a numbered shortlist sorted by GWP (lowest first):
96
97	```
98	## EPD Research: Ready-Mix Concrete (4000 PSI, Northeast US)
99
100	### 1. ECOPact — Holcim
101	Plant: South Plainfield, NJ · GWP: 242 kg C

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epd-research

260stars54forks

View on GitHub

How to install epd-research?

alpacalabsllc/skills-for-architects/epd-research

$npx -y skills add AlpacaLabsLLC/skills-for-architects --skill epd-research

Installs into the current project.

Summary

Files · 1

View on GitHub

SKILL.md

1	# /epd-research — EPD Research
2
3	Receives a brief describing a material or product category, searches the web for matching EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations), and returns a curated shortlist sorted by environmental impact. Selected EPDs are saved to the EPD Google Sheet — the same one used by `/epd-parser` and the other EPD skills.
4
5	## How It Works
6
7	```
8	User describes what they need EPDs for
9	\|
10	Claude searches registries + manufacturer sites
11	\|
12	Presents candidates sorted by GWP (lowest first)
13	\|
14	User picks winners
15	\|
16	Saved to EPD Google Sheet (42-column schema)
17	```
18
19	## Step 1: Take the Brief
20
21	The user describes what they need EPDs for. A brief can be loose or specific:
22
23	Loose:
24	> "I need concrete EPDs"
25
26	Specific:
27	> "Looking for ready-mix concrete EPDs, 4000-5000 PSI, plants within 500 miles of NYC, GWP under 350 kg CO2e/m3"
28
29	### What to capture from the brief
30
31	Extract as many of these as the user provides. Don't ask for fields they didn't mention — work with what you have.
32
33	\| Field \| Examples \|
34	\|-------\|---------\|
35	\| Material/product \| Ready-mix concrete, structural steel, mineral wool insulation, carpet tile \|
36	\| CSI division \| Division 03, Division 09, "all structural materials" \|
37	\| Performance specs \| 4000 PSI, R-21, Class A fire rating \|
38	\| Geographic preference \| Plants near NYC, manufactured in North America, European suppliers ok \|
39	\| GWP target \| Under 350 kg CO2e/m3, below industry average, lowest available \|
40	\| Manufacturers \| "Include Holcim and CEMEX", "no imported steel" \|
41	\| EPD type \| Product-specific only, industry-average ok \|
42	\| Standard \| EN 15804+A2, ISO 21930 \|
43	\| Certification \| LEED v4.1 eligible, third-party verified \|
44
45	Don't interview the user. If the brief is "concrete EPDs," that's enough to start searching. Clarify after showing initial results if needed.
46
47	## Step 2: Research
48
49	Search the web for EPDs matching the brief. Use multiple targeted queries to cover different sources.
50
51	### Key registries and sources
52
53	\| Source \| URL pattern \| Notes \|
54	\|--------\|------------\|-------\|
55	\| Building Transparency / EC3 \| buildingtransparency.org \| Largest EPD database. Requires authenticated API access (free professional account + API key). See notes below. \|
56	\| UL EPD Program \| ul.com \| Major US program operator. Product-specific EPDs. \|
57	\| NSF International \| nsf.org \| US program operator, strong in concrete/masonry. \|
58	\| SCS Global Services \| scsglobalservices.com \| US program operator. \|
59	\| Environdec (International EPD System) \| environdec.com \| Largest international registry. European + global. \|
60	\| IBU (Institut Bauen und Umwelt) \| ibu-epd.com \| German program operator. Strong in European products. \|
61	\| ASTM International \| astm.org \| US program operator (newer). \|
62	\| Manufacturer sites \| varies \| Major manufacturers publish EPDs on their sustainability pages. \|
63
64	### Search strategy
65
66	For a brief like "ready-mix concrete EPDs, 4000 PSI, near NYC":
67
68	1. Program operator search: `site:ul.com ready-mix concrete environmental product declaration`
69	2. International registry search: `site:environdec.com ready-mix concrete EPD`
70	3. Manufacturer + region search: `ready-mix concrete EPD northeast US 4000 PSI`
71	4. Specific manufacturer searches if mentioned: `Holcim ready-mix EPD`, `CEMEX concrete EPD`
72	5. Industry body search: `NRMCA concrete EPD` (National Ready Mixed Concrete Association)
73
74	Run 3-5 searches depending on brief complexity. Aim for breadth — different manufacturers, regions, GWP ranges.
75
76	### For each EPD found
77
78	Attempt to fetch the registry page or EPD listing with WebFetch. Extract:
79
80	- Product name and manufacturer
81	- GWP (A1-A3) per declared unit — the primary comparison metric
82	- Declared unit
83	- Program operator and registration number
84	- System boundary
85	- Validity dates
86	- Link to EPD PDF
87	- Plant/facility and location (if listed)
88
89	If the page is JS-rendered and returns limited data, use whatever info is available from the search result snippet plus general knowledge. Note as "unverified" if sourced from snippets.
90
91	Target: 6-12 EPD candidates that genuinely match the brief. Don't pad with weak matches.
92
93	## Step 3: Present Candidates
94
95	Show results as a numbered shortlist sorted by GWP (lowest first):
96
97	```
98	## EPD Research: Ready-Mix Concrete (4000 PSI, Northeast US)
99
100	### 1. ECOPact — Holcim
101	Plant: South Plainfield, NJ · GWP: 242 kg C

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