In a traditional design process, the pieces of the project (i.e. structural, landscape, architectural, etc.) are divided and worked on separately by different specialists. In a LEED project, all participants work collaboratively from design inception, beginning with analysis of the owner’s program in light of the rating requirements.

The role of the LEED Accredited Professional is to interpret the rating system for the project team, coordinate the certification process, verify compliance, and participate in technical analyses.

Building categories defined by the USGBC include rating systems for new construction, commercial interiors for tenant improvements, core and shell, existing buildings, homes, neighborhood development, and schools K-12 including acoustics, master planning, and mold prevention.

Each rating system describes requirements unique to the project type, and provides technologies and strategies for meeting them. The certification process involves documenting achievement of measurable and verifiable criteria. The formal review will evaluate performance over the life cycle of the building. The level of LEED certification depends upon on the total number of credits achieved in each credit category. Some are mandatory; others are elective. A project qualifies for certification if it meets a minimum of 40% of the requirements. A silver rating means the building qualifies for 50% of available credits; gold means 60%, platinum 80%.

In the LEED for New Construction rating system, these categories are:

Sustainable Sites: Minimizes pollution from the construction of the building, and gives the design team criteria for site selection. Credits can be earned by controlling soil erosion, waterway sedimentation and airborne dust during construction. Discourages building on farmland, parkland, wetlands, habitat for endangered or threatened species, or in close proximity to bodies of water. Encourages cleanup and reclamation of “brownfields” – areas where there is hazardous waste. Building footprints are minimized to protect surface habitat. Preferred sites are in urban areas within walking distance of community and commercial centers and public transportation. Encourages installation of bike racks and paths. Parking ideally goes underneath the building. Tenants are encouraged to car pool. Open space is maximized. Impervious site surfaces are kept to a minimum to encourage filtration of stormwater. Vegetated or reflective rooftops help keep the air temperature above buildings consistent with temperatures outside the city (protects wildlife habitats and reduces strain on cooling systems.) Light pollution at night may be reduced or avoided through the use of low lighting and downlighting. Lights may be programmed to turn off when not needed.

Water Efficiency: Reduces the quantity of water needed for building operations; provides water management criteria. Limits use of potable water. Encourages harvesting and reuse of storm water for irrigation, custodial purposes, and toilet flushing. Native plants are preferred because they require less or no irrigation. Water-efficient fixtures with automatic turnoffs are preferred. Dry fixtures such as composting toilets may be used.

Energy & Atmosphere: Minimizes energy use; provides criteria for renewable and alternative energy sources. Specifies methods for designing, installing, and operating energy systems and building envelope systems. This section requires an analysis of energy costs through whole building energy simulation. Includes looking at the energy needed to run equipment, elevators, escalators, computers, cooking, refrigeration, laundry washing and drying. Renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, bio-gas) is preferred. Ozone-depleting substances are discouraged in refrigeration and fire prevention equipment.

Materials & Resources: Requires establishing a plan for recycling on the site during construction. Recycling efforts are to be tracked throughout the construction process. Encourages re-use of existing materials. Credits can be earned by maintaining high percentages of existing walls, floors, roofs, and interior non-structural elements. Materials to be removed are redirected for re-use or recycling. Encourages use of post-consumer recycled content (materials made from recycled, not just recyclable, materials.) Must provide for safe removal of hazardous materials. Preferred building materials are obtained through regional sources (to avoid burning fuel to transport over long distances) and/or are made from rapidly renewable resources (fast growing plants such as bamboo.)

Indoor Environmental Quality: Ventilation methods and reduction of indoor pollutants. Smoking rooms are negatively pressurized to cause air to flow in instead of out when a door is opened. Transfer of environmental tobacco smoke must be contained with proper sealing in walls, ceilings, floors, and vertical chases. Requires the installation of permanent monitoring systems that provide feedback on ventilation systems performance. Requires monitoring of carbon dioxide levels. During construction, workers are protected from exposure to toxic fumes emitted by carpeting, adhesives, caulking, sealants, foams, ceiling tile, paint, etc. Prior to occupation, air quality must be tested for formaldehyde, volatile organic compounds, and other harmful substances. Product testing requirements are included in construction documents.

Innovation & Design Process: Encourages unique solutions to regional sustainability issues. This can be for performance above the requirements, or for innovations outside the scope of the rating system. For a building to qualify for LEED certification, it must meet a minimum of 40% of the requirements (earn 40% of the available points.) A silver rating means the building qualifies for 50% of available credits; gold signifies 60%, and a platinum rating requires 80%. Most LEED concepts are common sense, but require detailed knowledge, proven results, and thorough documentation.

Recommended reading:

Books by Jerry Yudelson

Green Building A-Z

The Green Building Revolution

Green Building Through Integrated Design

ID Credits 1.1 – 1.4: Innovation in Design

To provide design teams and projects the opportunity to be awarded points for exceptional performance above the requirements set by the LEED-NC Green Building Rating System and/or innovative performance in Green Building categories not specifically addressed by the LEED-NC Green Building Rating System.

Projects can earn a maximum of 4 Exemplary Performance points (out of 23 credits with an Exemplary Performance option). This is ONE way to earn ID points.

The other way to earn ID points is to design innovations that demonstrate a quantifiable environmental or health benefit, that can be applied to other projects, that are not addressed elsewhere in LEED.

Include the ID credit title, description of intent of the proposed credit, requirements for compliance, submittals needed to demonstrate compliance, and the design strategies that might be used to meet the requirements, and drawings.
To be completed by the Owner or Contractor during the Design Phase. The submittal template asks for a credit title, the credit intent, a narrative describing the proposed requirements, a narrative describing the approach or methodology the design team will use, supporting documentation i.e. drawings that would explain the credit, and a sheet description log (list of drawings.)

ID Credit 2: LEED AP

To support and encourage the design integration required by a LEED-NC green building project and to streamline the application and certification process.

Having a LEED AP as a principal participant in the project can streamline the application and certification process.
The submittal for this credit must include the LEED AP’s name and company, and a copy of their certificate, as well as a description of his or her role in the project. This information would be submitted by the Owner or LEED AP during the Construction Phase. The template asks for name, company, description of role, and uploaded copy of LEED AP certificate.

LEED CERTIFICATION PROCESS

Certification Levels:
Certified: 26-32 points
Silver: 33-38 points
Gold: 39-51 points
Platinum: 52-69

LEED AP’s Role:
Coordinate the work of all disciplines
Manage the team’s documentation
Know who is responsible for which credit
Understand the application process
Coordinate between trades regarding codes and standards

Project Administrator’s Role:
Main contact person for LEED online
Manages team members’ access and invites members
Assigns credit responsibility
Validates project information
Submits complete templates

Project Registration: Fees are $450 for members and $600 for non-members. If a platinum rating is achieved, the registration fee is waived/refunded. Registration provides access to the credit templates and to the Credit Interpretation Ruling/Request database.

Application Process: After registration, the templates are available to team members, and are accessed online, where they are completed and saved to project folders. Some credits may be submitted during the Design Phase, which is optional but highly recommended as it allows the project to get feedback about credits likely to be achieved early on in the project. After the Design Phase submittal, the USGBC will mark credits either “credit anticipated” or “credit denied.” This gives the team another chance to address those credits that are denied. After construction, the USGBC will mark credits as either “credit achieved” or “credit denied.” If you want, you can submit the whole shebang during the Construction Phase – but why would you want to?

Select the rating system chosen for the project, the project type, the size, number of occupants, and date of construction completion. Provide a narrative including at least three project highlights. List all of the CIRs submitted for the project. Include drawings and photos (8.5 x 11 or 11 x 17): site plan, typical floor plan, typical or primary elevation, photo or rendering of the project.

Certification Fee: The amount of the fee depends on the rating system chosen and the square footage of the project.

Credit Interpretation Requests (or Rulings): Before submitting a CIR, check the CIR database for similar issues.
Allowed: only one CIR per LEED credit per LEED strategy. It should be a maximum of 600 words, NOT formatted as a letter, NOT including any confidential project information (because it gets published in the online database), and do NOT state the credit name or intent because this information is embedded in the CIR template. Do NOT include any attachments. CIRs can only be requested by team members on a registered project, but they can viewed by all USGBC members and non-members with registered projects, and workshop attendees.

Credit Appeals: To appeal the project rating, submit an appeal application within 25 days of the initial ruling. The fee for an appeal application is $500. Applications are done online and reviewed by a different review team. They should include the project contact person, type of project, size of project, number of occupants, planned date of construction completion, a narrative of highlights, LEED project checklist scorecard with prerequisites, credits and total score, list of all CIRs, drawings and photos of those items included in the original application, and original and resubmitted credit information – only for the credits being appealed.

INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

There are no complex calculations in this section.

EQ p 1: Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance

Establish minimum indoor air quality (IAQ) performance to enhance indoor air quality in buildings, thus contributing to the comfort and well-being of occupants. Meet the minimum requirements of Sections 4 through 7 of ASHRAE 62.1-2004, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. Mechanical ventilation systems shall be designed using the Ventilation Rate Procedure or the applicable local code, whichever is more stringent. Naturally ventilated buildings shall comply with ASHRAE 62.1-2004, paragraph 5.1

This credit is about making sure there is enough fresh air for the space.

For mechanical ventilation systems: Design using Ventilation Rate Procedure, which talks about the amount of fresh air required per person multiplied by the number of people, plus the volume of fresh air required by the area of the floor space in relation to the use of that area (the type of occupancy.) Meet the requirements of ASHAE 62.1-2004: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality (Sections 4 through 7)

For naturally ventilated buildings: Comply with ASHRAE 62.1-2004, paragraph 5.1, which addresses the location and size of windows.

The submittal is made in the Design Phase, by the Mechanical Engineer.

EQ p 2: Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control

Minimize exposure of building occupants, indoor surfaces, and ventilation air distribution systems to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS.)

Control the spread of tobacco smoke in buildings.

Option 1: Prohibit smoking indoors. Outdoor smoking must be at least 25 feet from entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows.

Option 2: No smoking except in designated areas, which will be negatively pressurized (1-5 pascales minimum) so when the door is open air flows into, not out of, the room. Smoking rooms must be directly exhausted to the outdoors, and enclosed with deck to deck partitions.

Option 3: In a residential building where you can’t tell people not to smoke, don’t allow smoking in common areas. Keep it in private units. Same rules for outdoor smoking areas as above. Also, wall, ceiling, and floor penetrations must be sealed. Test performance according to ANSI/ASTM E779-03.

• Comply with ASTM E779/03: Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization (blower door test.)
• Residential Manual for Compliance with California’s 2001 Energy Efficiency Standards for Low-Rise Residential Buildings (which has to do with quality and construction of HVAC systems.)

The Owner is responsible for this prerequisite. The submittal is made in the Design Phase. Construction documents are required to document the location of smoking rooms, designated smoking areas, and dedicated ventilation systems. Show naturally ventilated zones and windows. Narrative about ventilation design is required.

EQ c1: Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring

Provide capacity for ventilation system monitoring to help sustain occupant comfort and well-being. Install permanent monitoring systems that provide feedback on ventilation system performance to ensure that ventilation systems maintain design minimum ventilation requirements. Configure all monitoring equipment to generate an alarm when the conditions vary by 10% or more from set point, via either a building automation system alarm to the building operator or via a visual or audible alert to the building occupants.

This credit is meant to provide the capacity to monitor the ventilation system. Install a permanent monitoring system that provides feedback on performance and generates an alarm when conditions vary by 10%.

For mechanically ventilated spaces: Monitor CO2 levels. A dense space is defined as having more than 25 people per 1000 SF. In non-dense spaces measure the air coming into the building and detect when the system is 15% below the design rate.

“Provide a direct outdoor airflow measurement device capable of measuring the minimum outdoor airflow rate with an accuracy of plus or minus 15% of the design minimum outdoor air rate, as defined by ASHRAE 62.1-2004. “

In naturally ventilated systems: Monitor CO2 levels within all naturally ventilated spaces. Monitoring methods include: pilot tubes, venture meters, rotating vane anemometers; feed into HVAC & BAS systems; CO2 monitors to be located between 3 and 6 feet off the floor.

The submittal is done by the Mechanical Engineer, during the Design Phase. Under option 1 confirm the air intakes, windows and doors are 25 feet away from the smoking area; under option 2 provide floor planes with location of smmoking rooms, smoking room exhaust system and detail sheets showing room separations (wall details.) Option 3 show unit separations on drawings, show units have sealed penetrations between walls, ceilings, floors, and vertical chases, and that units are pressurized if not weather stripped.

EQ c 2: Increased Ventilation

This builds on the previous credit in the following ways:

Case 1: Mechanically ventilated systems: Increase the breathing zone outdoor air ventilation rates to 30% above the minimum required by ASHRAE 62.1-2004: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. Use ventilation rate procedure. Create table with calculations that show ventilation is 30% greater than required by ASHRAE.

Case 2: Naturally Ventilated Spaces: Design the system to meet the Carbon Trust Good Practice Guide 237 (1999). Make sure the natural ventilation works for the project by following the flow diagram in figure 1.18 of CIBSE Application Manual 10, 2005, or use a model to predict that room airflows naturally ventilate 90% of occupied spaces as defined by the rates in ASHRAE 62.1-2004.

CIBSE AM 10 2005
ASHRAE 62.1-2004 – macroscopic multi-zone analytic model that predicts room-by-room air flow.

Referenced Standards:
ASHRAE 62.1-2004: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
The Carbon Trust Good Practice Guide 237: Natural Ventilation in Non-Domestic Buildings, A Guide for Developers, Designers & Owners (1999)
CIBSE Application Manual 10 (2005): Natural Ventilation in Non-Domestic Buildings
The submittal is made in the Design Phase.

EQ c 3.1 Construction IAQ Management Plan – During Construction

Control indoor air quality during construction (for the sake of the workers and the building occupants.) Develop and implement an Indoor Air Quality Management Plan:

• Meet or exceed SMACNA IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings Under Construction, Chapter 3 (Nov 2007)
• Protect on-site or installed absorptive materials from moisture damage (insulation, carpeting, drywall)
• Air handler units used during construction must have MERV 8 filters per ASHRAE 52.2-1999
• Control sources and pathways of pollutants
• Schedule the installation of materials to avoid contamination

Control measures should include:

HVAC equipment protection: (shut down return side of HVAC system during heavy construction activities and replace ventilation air filters often throughout the construction process. Returns should be shrink-wrapped or dampered off during disruptive construction activities.

Source Control: Keep VOCs out by not using VOC-containing products.

Pathway Interruption: Temporary barriers should be constructed to isolate areas under construction from clean or occupied areas.

Housekeeping: Keep materials stored on site from getting contaminated by dirt or gunk or moisture in the air. Materials stored on site should be put away in a clean, dry location.

Scheduling: Absorptive materials like ceiling tile and carpeting are installed only after the wet and fumey stuff like adhesives, sealants, paints, and other coatings.

Referenced standards:

SMACNA IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings Under Construction – Discusses construction air pollutants and ways to protect the HVAC system and IAQ.

ASHRAE 52.2-1999 – Method of Testing General Ventilation Air Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size – Requires that air handling units installed during construction have a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) minimum of 8.

Photos of methods used in the IAQ Management Plan have to be included with the submittal. Upload a copy of the IAQ management plan, indicate if air handler units were operate during construction, and if they were list the filters and locations, and check whether the filters were replaced prior to occupancy (include filter manufacturer, model number, MERV rating, location).

EQ c 3.2: Construction IAQ Management Plan, Before Occupancy

The purpose is to flush out the building before it is occupied. We are on the alert for contaminants:

• Formaldehyde – max concentration 50 parts per billion
• Particulates (PM 10) – max concentration 50 micrograms per cubic meter
• Total VOCs – max concentration 500 micrograms per cubic meter
• 4-Phenylcyclohexene (4-PCH) – max concentration 6.5 micrograms per cubic meter
• Carbon Monoxide (CO) – 9 parts per million and no greater than 2 parts per million above outdoor levels

Option 1: Flush Out

After construction, but before occupancy, when interiors have been completed: supply 14,000 cubic feet of outside air per square foot of floor area throughout the building. Maintain 60 degree temperature with 60% relative humidity.

If occupancy takes place before flush-out: Supply 3500 cubic feet of outside air per square foot area, ventilate at .30 cubic feet per minute per square foot, for a mimimum of three hours each day before occupants arrive until 14,000 cubic feet per square foot area has been supplied. Use MERV 13 filters for the HVAC systems.

Option 2: Air Quality Testing

Conduct an IAQ baseline test after construction, before occupancy, according to the EPA Compendium of Methods for Determination of Air Pollutants in Indoor Air. Demonstrate that contaminant maximum concentrations are not exceeded. For each sampling point where concentration limits are exceeded, do more flushing out and retest until requirements are met.

If you want to achieve EQ Credit 5 (Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control) you must use MERV 13 filters.

Referenced standard: EPA Compendium of Methods for the determination of air pollutants in indoor air.

The submittal is handled by the General Contractor or Architect during the Construction Phase. For option 2 upload the testing report.

EQ c 4.1: Low-Emitting Materials: Adhesives and Sealants

A variety of common materials used in buildings emit toxic fumes. Adhesives and sealants used in the project interior, inside of the weatherproofing system and applied on-site, should comply with the South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule #1168 and/or Green Seal Standard for Commercial Adhesives GS-36 (sets VOC limits on aerosol adhesives.) The types of adhesives and sealants covered under this credit include flooring glues, fire-stopping sealants, caulking, duct sealants, plumbing adhesives, and cove base adhesives.

Referenced standards:
SMAQMD Rule #1168 (adhesives)
Green Seal GS-36 (aerosol adhesives)

The submittal is handled by the General Contractor or Architect during the Construction Phase. It asks for product, manufacturer, VOC content in gallons per liter, SCAQMD or Green Seal VOC content limits, and source of VOC data.

EQ c 4.2: Low-Emitting Materials: Paints and Coatings

Paints must comply with Green Seal Standard 11 (GS-11)
Anti-Corrosive and Anti-Rust Paints: GS-03
Clear wood finishes, floor coatings, stains, sealers, and shellacs: Comply with SMAQMD Rule #1113 (standards set VOC limits)

Construction Phase submittal. Product name and manufacturer, VOC content in gallons per liter, VOC limits in the referenced standard.

EQ c 4.3: Low-Emitting Materials: Carpet Systems

Carpets and carpet cushions have to comply with the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus Testing Program.

The General Contractor and Architect handle the submittal during the Construction Phase. For carpets and cushions enter manufacturer, product name, source of compliance statement, and whether CRI criteria are met.

EQ c 4.4: Low-Emitting Materials: Composite Wood and Agrifiber Products

Composite wood and agrifiber products used on the interior of the building (defined as inside of the weatherproofing system) and laminating adhesives used to fabricate on-site and shop-applied composite wood and agrifiber assemblies shall contain no added urea-formaldehyde resins.

Medium density fiberboard (MDF), particle board, plywood, wheat board, straw board, panel substrates and door cores used in the interior CANNOT contain urea formaldehyde resins. (Materials considered fit-out, furniture, and equipment are not considered base building elements and are not addressed by this credit.)

GC and Architect, Construction Phase submittal: Include product name/manufacturer, source of compliance statement, confrrm no formaldehyde.

EQ c 5: Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control

Minimize exposure of building occupants to potentially hazardous particulates and chemical pollutants.

The idea here is once you have the building finished, you want to keep pollutants from being carried in from outside. Install permanent entry systems at least six feet long to capture dirt – these could be grates or grills. Also, exhaust rooms where hazardous materials are kept, such as janitor closets or printing rooms. Keep those rooms negatively pressurized at .5 cubic feet per minute per square foot (cfm/sf). Use MERV 13 air filters.

Referenced standard:

ASHRAE 52.2-1999: Method of Testing General Ventilation Air Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size.

The submittal requires copies of drawings, highlighting locations of entryway systems and copies of mechanical drawings showing location of chemical usage areas, room separations, and exhaust systems. This is a Design Phase submittal by the General Contractor or Architect. If roll-out mats or systems are used, confirm they will be maintained weekly. List ventilation filtration with MERV rating of 13 or higher. Room description with separations of walls, ceilings, access doors, negative pressurization.

EQ c 6.1: Controllability of Systems: Lighting

90% of workstations should have individual lighting controls, such as adjustable task lighting. In a multiple-occupant space such as a hotel conference room that can be broken down into three separate meeting spaces, each space should have its own controls.

The submittal is by the GC or Architect during the Design Phase. List number of workstations, number of lighting controls, description of multi-occupant space lighting controls.

EQ c 6.2: Controllability of Systems: Thermal Comfort

50% of occupants should have personal temperature controls. It’s okay to use operable windows if occupants are stationed within 20 feet inside and 10 feet to either side of the window opening and you meet ASHRAE 62.1-2004 for natural ventilation.

In multi-occupancy rooms, provide thermal comfort controls for each group – design to use of area. Subdividable spaces should have separate controls – shared spaces must have at least one control. Meet conditions in ASHRAE 55-2004.

Referenced standards:

ASHRAE 62.1-2004: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality

ASHRAE 55-2004: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy (air temperature, radiant temperature, air speed and humidity.)

Submittal: GC/Architect, Design Phase.

EQ c 7.1: Thermal Comfort: Design

Provide a comfortable thermal environment that supports the productivity and well-being of building occupants.

Design the HVAC systems and building envelope per ASHRAE 55-2004. Evaluate air temperature, radiant temperature, air speed and relative humidity. Coordinate with  EQ p1, EQ c1, and EQ c 2 (IAQ performance and ventilation)

Referenced standard:

ASHRAE 55-2004: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy.

Submittal by GC/Architect during the Design Phase. Submittal describes seasonal temperature and humidity design criteria, max and min temperatures and maximum indoor humidity. Narrative required about the method used to establish comfort conditions and how system design addresses the design criteria. Tell how the project complied with the reference standard.

EQ c 7.2: Thermal Comfort: Verification

Provide for the assessment of building thermal comfort over time.

This one’s easy to learn about but nobody actually wants to do it. Check how thermal comfort is working out for building occupants by conducting an anonymous survey six to eighteen months after occupancy. 80% of the occupants have to say they’re comfortable – if 20% or more are unhappy, a plan has to be developed to improve the situation. It must be done in accordance with ASHRAE 55-2004: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy.

Design Phase submittal by Contractor or Architect. Describe the survey to be used to verify comfort (18 months post-occupancy) and how corrective action will be taken if need be.

EQ c 8.1: Daylighting and Views – Daylight 75% of Spaces

People do better in environments where there is daylight and they can see outside.

Option 1 – Establish a minimum glazing factor of 2% in 75% or more of regularly occupied spaces. (window area, floor area, window geometry)

Option 2 – Daylight simulation model demonstrating an illumination level of 25 footcandles in a minimum of 75% of regularly occupied spaces (clear sky conditions at noon on the equinox 30 inches above the floor)

Option 3 – Daylight measurement, on a 10-foot grid record light measurements that show there is a minimum of 25 footcandles in 75% of regularly occupied spaces.

Provide daylight redirection or glare control devices if needed. Daylight glazing are windows that are high up, above 7 feet 6 inches from the floor. Vision glazing are windows near the building perimeter between 2 feet 6 inches and 7 feet 6 inches, i.e. eye level..

For Exemplary Performance, provide 95% daylit spaces.

The submittal: Architect and/or GC, during the Design Phase. The template asks for number of building spaces, area of each space in SF, glazing area in SF, types of glazing, actual Tvis, glazing factor %. Include a narrative explaining the calculation method used for determining daylight, whether physical measuring equipment or software, include time of day and weather conditions. Any spaces not included should have an explanation of why they have a different use.

EQ c 8.2: Daylighting and Views: Views for 90% of Spaces

People need a connection between indoors and outdoors. Provide a direct line of sight to the outdoors in 90% of regularly occupied spaces. Horizontal view at 42 inches. Vision glazing is between 2 ft 6 inches and 7 ft 6 inches from the floor. Private rooms with line of sight in more than 75% of the floor area can be counted toward the total. Exemplary Performance is review on a case-by-case basis.

The submittal is by the GC and Architect during the Design Phase. Drawings should show the line of sight from interior spaces through exterior windows in both plan and sectional views. Any spaces without views, explain why not.

MATERIALS AND RESOURCES

A quick summary of the way percentages in the Materials & Resources section are calculated:

• In the Building Reuse credits, percentages are based on the square footage of surface areas.
• In the Construction Waste Management credits, percentages are based on weight in tons, or volume in cubic feet (one or the other, not both – be consistent.)
• In the Materials Reuse, Recycled Content, Regional Materials, and Rapidly Renewable Materials credits the percentages are based on the total actual cost or total default cost of materials (cost of construction x 45%.)
• The Certified Wood credit figures the percentage of certified wood, by cost, against the cost of all wood products.

Other things to be aware of:

• Furniture may be included in credits MR 3 – MR 7 only under the condition that it be used consistently throughout all of those credits.
• You cannot claim mechanical, electrical, plumbing equipment, nor elevators under MR 3 – MR 7.
• Materials claimed under MR 3 can also be claimed under MR 5 Regional Materials.
• MR 1.1, 1.2, and 1,3 (the Building Reuse credits) cannot be earned if an addition is more than two times the square footage of the existing building.
• Remediated hazardous materials may not be included in the calculations of MR 1.1 and MR 1.2.

Also, all but the prerequisite are Construction Phase submittals.

MR p 1: Storage and Collection of Recyclables.

Facilitate the reduction of waste generated by building occupants that is hauled to and disposed of in landfills. Provide an easily accessible area that serves the entire building and is dedicated to the collection and storage of non-hazardous materials for recycling, including (at a minimum) paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics and metals.

Every project must be planned so there is room for the collection of recyclable materials such as glass, paper, metal, plastic, and cardboard. The purpose is obviously to reduce waste going to landfills.

Recycling collection areas must be accessible to all building users on site. They must take into account issues such as noise and odor that might be disruptive to building occupants. Provide signs, make the area convenient to use, provide instructions, secure valuable materials such as aluminum, protect disposal of sensitive documents.

Materials are separated for storage and collection. Methods can include recycle chutes, collection bins, can crushers, and cardboard balers. Minimum areas to be devoted to recycling are recommended but not required.

In commercial buildings the recommendations are as follows:
• 0-5000 SF, provide 82 SF of recycling area
• 5001-15,000, provide 125 SF of recycling area
• 15,001-50,000, provide 175 SF of recycling area
• 50,001-100,000, provide 225 SF of recycling area
• 100,001-200,000, provide 275 SF of recycling area
• 200,001 or more, provide 500 SF of recycling area.

You don’t have to know that for the test because they are suggested guidelines only.

The referenced standard for this prerequisite is California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) 1999. That you should know. The submittal is made in the Design Phase. The owner and architect are the primary decision makers.

MR c 1.1 – Building Re-use, Maintain 75% of Existing Walls, Floors, & Roof.

Extend the life cycle of existing building stock, conserve resources, retain cultural resources, reduce waste and reduce environmental impacts of new buildings as they relate to materials manufacturing and transport.

The stated goal is to maintain existing building stock, to preserve buildings or parts of buildings with cultural value, to reduce construction waste, and to reduce the environmental impact of transporting materials. But really what we’re focused on here is maintaining the existing structure and envelope – structural floor, roof decking, exterior skin, and framing. Save 75% of these materials based on square footage of surface area. For exterior areas, include only one side of the wall in measurements, but for interior areas, both sides of walls are included. Do not include windows, doors, non-structural material, MEP or elevator equipment, or any hazardous materials. If the project includes an addition to the existing building, the addition cannot be more than twice the building’s original size. List the existing area vs. the retained wall area. Divide the retained materials by SF area of originally existing materials.

MR c 1.2 – Building Re-Use: Maintain 95% of the Existing Walls, Floors, and Roof

Same goals. Include flooring, framing, roof, exterior structure (envelope/shell) – do not include windows, doors, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or elevator equipment. Same rule applies regarding additions: If an addition is more than twice the original size of the building, this credit cannot be earned. Note for these credits if materials can’t apply here, they can be applied under Construction Waste Management.

Submittal for MR c1.1 & 1.2 Building Re-Use: Maintain Existing Walls, Floors, & Roof.

This is all done on one template during the Construction Phase. The owner, contractor, and architect are the main players. Enter the existing building area in SF. Whether a renovation with additions or a renovation without additions. Re-use of structural/envelope showing existing and reused amounts in SF.

MR c 1.3 Building Re-Use: Maintain 50% of Interior Non-Structural Elements

Use existing interior non-structural elements (interior walls, doors, floors coverings and ceilings systems) in at least 50% (by area) of the completed building (including additions.)  Reusing components means reusing them in their current form – a wall would still be a wall, a door would still be a door.

This is different from the Materials Reuse credits, which would allow a door to be turned into a table. Here we’re interested in extending the life cycle of building stock. Include walls and partitions, doors, ceilings, floor coverings. Exclude MEP and elevator equipment.The same rule about additions applies here: you can’t earn this credit if the addition is twice the size of the original building. The calculations compare the area of the retained/reused elements to the total completed area of the interior.

Template: Same players – contractor, architect, owner. Existing area in SF, and whether renovation with or without an addition. Square footage of interior non-structural elements including new, existing, and reused.

MR c 2.1: Construction Waste Management, Divert 50% from Disposal

Divert construction, demolition and land-clearing debris from disposal in landfills and incinerators. Redirect recyclable recovered resources back to the manufacturing process. Redirect reusable materials to appropriate sites. Recycle and/or salvage at least 50% of non-hazardous construction and demolition debris. Develop and implement a construction waste management plan that, at a minimum, identifies the materials to be diverted from disposal and whether the materials will be sorted on-site or comingled. Calculations can be done by weight or volume, but must be consistent throughout.

Keep construction waste out of landfills and incinerators. Redirect recyclable materials back to the manufacturing process. Send reusable materials to where they can be reused. Diversion can include donation of materials to charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.

Note that materials claimed under this credit cannot also be claimed under Materials Reuse because the object of both credits is the same.

Develop a construction waste management plan that, at the very least, identifies materials to be diverted (salvaged, refurbished, recycled, or reused). Include: Doors and windows, flooring, paneling, cabinetry, beams, recycled cardboard, metal, brick, acoustical tile, concrete, plastics, clean wood, glass, gypsum board, carpet, insulation, and MEP. Exclude: Soil, rocks, vegetation, hazardous materials. Designate a space on the construction site for separation/collection. Track the recycling (the general contractor would maintain these records) – keeping receipts of recyclables and waste diversion pickups.

MR c 2.2: Construction Waste Management, Divert 75% from Disposal

Recycle and/or salvage an additional 25% beyond MR Credit 2.1 (75% total) of non-hazardous construction and demolition debris. Excavated soil and land-clearing debris do not contribute to this credit. Calculations can be done by weight or volume, but must be consistent throughout. Same thing. Higher percentage. You choose to measure in either tons or cubic yards.
An Exemplary Performance credit is available for diverting 95% of construction waste.

Template:
Amounts of construction waste diverted from disposal are measured either in tons or cubic yards  – one or the other, but not both. Provide a description of the materials, the recycling hauler, and amount of waste diverted or recycled. Also provide information on the landfill waste – description of materials, landfill hauler or location, and amount of waste. The amount of construction waste diverted is figured as a percentage of the total construction waste. A narrative is required to explain the project’s approach to construction waste management.

MR c 3.1, Materials Reuse – 5%

Reuse building materials and products in order to reduce demand for virgin materials and to reduce waste, thereby reducing impacts associated with the extraction and processing of virgin resources. Use salvaged, refurbished or reused materials such that the sum of these materials constitutes at least 5%, based on cost, of the total value of materials on the project. Salvaged or reused materials are defined as construction materials recovered from existing buildings or construction sites and reused in other buildings. Common salvaged materials include structural beams and posts, flooring, doors, cabinetry, brick and decorative items.

Reduce waste, and reduce the need for virgin resources.

In this credit 5% of the materials, based on cost, must be salvaged, refurbished, or reused.  They don’t have to come from the project site – they can come from anywhere.

Just understand that any materials applied to MR 3 cannot also be applied to Building Reuse, Construction Waste Management, Recycled Content, Rapidly Renewable Materials, or Certified Wood. They can, however, still be counted as Regional Materials.

Include: Beams, floors, posts, paneling, doors and frames, cabinetry, brick and decorative items. It can also include furniture, but only if furniture is accounted for in every MR credit from 3.1 to 7.

Exclude: Recycled items (addressed in MR 4), MEP, elevator equipment.
The cost calculations work like this: If the team reuses a material from the project site that they didn’t have to buy, they should calculate its value based on replacement cost.

The percentage of reused materials is based on the Total Materials Cost. This can be a default value of 45% of the construction cost. Or, it can be the actual cost of actual materials, listed item by item. The advantage of using the actual cost would be that if the actual cost is lower than the default cost, it is easier to earn a higher percentage for the credit. The disadvantage is that it’s a hassle.

MR c 3.2, Materials Reuse – 10%

Use salvaged, refurbished, or reused materials for an additional 5% beyond MR Credit 3.1 (10% total, based on cost.)

Same deal. Higher percentage. For Exemplary Performance you’d want 15%.

Submittal:
The submittal is made in the Construction Phase, by the Contractor or Architect. Indicate whether total materials cost is based on the default amount or the actual materials value. Enter the values in dollars. Enter descriptions of reuse/salvaged materials, and vendor and cost to get the total value of reused materials. The template will calculate the percentage of total materials.

MR c 4.1, Recycled Content – 10% (post consumer plus half post-industrial)

Increase demand for building products that incorporate recycled content materials, thereby reducing impacts resulting from extraction and processing of virgin materials. Recycled content shall be defined in accordance with  International Organization of Standards document, ISO 14021 – Environmental Labels and declarations – Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labeling.) The recycled content value of a material assembly shall be determined by weight. The recycled fraction of the assembly is then multiplied by the cost of assembly to determine the recycled content value.

Post-consumer material is defined as waste material generated by households or by commercial, industrial and institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product, which can no longer be used for its intended purpose.
Pre-consumer material is defined as material diverted from the waste stream during the manufacturing process. Excluded is reutilization of materials such as rework, regrind or scrap generated in a process and capable of being reclaimed within the same process that generated it.

Use 10% recycled content as percentage of total materials cost.

Two kinds of recycled content:

1. Post-consumer. This would be things like plastic, paper, glass, metal – stuff that would otherwise be trash, that comes from something someone already used.

2. Pre-Consumer, AKA Post-Industrial: A by-product of the manufacturing process, or leftovers of the manufacturing process – such as wheat straw, sawdust, or fly ash.

For materials that have only partial recycled content, the amount of recycled content is calculated by weight. You then have a fraction of the total weight which you’d multiply by the cost. “The recycled fraction of the assembly is then multiplied by the cost of assembly to determine the recycled content value” – so, if 10% of an item (by weight) is recycled, and the item cost $4.00, the recycled content value is 40 cents.

In the case of steel, with no other information available to document otherwise, assume 25% post consumer recycled content.

The referenced standard for this credit is International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14021-1999. They define what recycled material is.

MR c 4.2, Recycled Content – 20% of total construction material is post-consumer recycled content plus half pre-consumer content.

“Use materials with recycled content such that the sum of post-consumer recycled content plus one-half of the pre-consumer content constitutes an additional 10% beyond MR Credit 4.1 (total of 20%, based on cost) of the total value of the materials in the project.”

Oy vey! The reason “pre-consumer” or “post-industrial” content doesn’t count as much is because it doesn’t divert material from the landfill.

This is the same deal as above, with a higher percentage.

Exemplary Performance would require 30% recycled content.

Template for MR c 4.1 and 4.2: Recycled Content: 10% & 20% (post-consumer + half pre-consumer)

Choose whether calculations are based on default materials value or actual materials value and list the material, its manufacturer, cost, % post-consumer recycled content, % pre-consumer recycled content, and recycled content information source. Enter the total value of post-consumer content, the total value of pre-consumer content, and their combined values. At the end you would have the combined recycled content as a percentage of the total materials cost.

MR c 5.1: Regional Materials – 10% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Regionally

“Increase demand for building materials and products that are extracted and manufactured within the region, thereby supporting the use of indigenous resources and reducing the environmental impacts resulting from transportation. Use building materials or products that have been extracted, harvested or recovered, as well as manufactured, within 500 miles of the project site for a minimum of 10% (based on cost) of the total materials value. Percentage [is determined] by weight: If only a fraction of a product or material is extracted/harvested/recovered and manufactured locally, then only that percentage by weight shall contribute to the regional value.”

Using “local” materials cuts down on the pollution produced by carrying things over large distances. It’s also good for the local economy.

To earn this credit, 10% of the total materials cost should be from materials that were harvested and produced within 500 miles of the construction site.
For materials that are only partly “regional” the amount of regional content is determined by weight. If the assembly weighs 100 pounds, and 10 pounds is made of local materials, 10% of the cost of the item would be counted toward the regional materials total.

Don’t use MEP and don’t use elevator equipment.

MR c 5.2: Regional Materials – 20% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Regionally

Example of calculation:

If you don’t know the materials cost, this is how you get it.
Let’s say the project cost is $10,000,000.

$10,000,000 x 45% default materials value  = $4,500,000 materials cost.
If you need 20% to earn the credit, 20% x $4,500,000 = $900,000

The total cost of local materials divided by the total materials cost is the percentage of local materials.

For Exemplary Performance, you would need to use 40% regional materials.

Template:
Choose whether calculations are being made based on default materials value or actual materials value. Enter product name, manufacturer, product cost, percent compliant, compliant product value, harvest distance in miles, manufacture distance in miles, harvest/manufacture location site info source. Show the total value of locally manufactured and extracted materials and local material value as a percentage of total materials cost.

MR Credit 6: Rapidly Renewable Materials – 2.5%

Reduce the use and depletion of finite raw materials and long-cycle renewable materials by replacing them with rapidly renewable materials. Use rapidly renewable building materials and products (made from plants that are typically harvested within a ten-year cycle or shorter) for 2.5% of the total value of all building materials and products used in the project, based on cost. Rapidly renewable materials are defined as materials considered to be an agricultural product, both fiber and animal, that takes 10 years or less to grow or raise, and to harvest in an ongoing and sustainable fashion.

This section is also based on default materials value or actual materials value.
Rapidly renewable materials are materials that are harvested within a 10-year cycle or shorter:
• Bamboo flooring
• Wool
• Cotton insulation
• Cork flooring
• Linoleum flooring
• Wheat board
• Straw board
• Agrifiber
The calculation of the percentage is based on the total materials cost.

With a materials cost of $20,000,000 x 2.5% = rapidly renewable materials are $500,000

For Exemplary Performance, 5% rapidly renewable materials is required.

The Contractor and Architect are the primary decision makers. The submittal is made in the Construction Phase. Enter material name, description, manufacturer, total material cost, percent of the product by weight that meets the rapidly renewable criteria and the compliant product value. The total value of rapidly renewable materials and the percentage of the total materials cost they represent.

MR c 7: Certified Wood – 50% for 1 point, or 95% for Exemplary Performance

Encourage environmentally responsible forest management. Use a minimum of 50% of wood-based materials and products, which are certified in accordance with Forest Stewardship Council’s (FSC) Principles and Criteria, for wood building components. These components include, but are not limited to, structural framing and general dimensional framing, flooring, sub-flooring, wood doors and finishes.

The purpose is to support forest management by using wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. 50% of wood materials cost has to be certified within the FSC guidelines for building components. That means percentage of wood that is certified out of the total cost of wood materials. Vendors must be chain-of-custody certified by an FSC-accredited certifier. Contractors and subcontractors don’t need COC certification.

Include things like framing, flooring and subflooring, wood doors.

Don’t include MEP or elevator.

Enter the values for all new wood-based items to get the percentage of materials that are FSC-certified. Include the product name, vendor, product cost ($), wood component percentage of the product, FSC-certified percentage of the wood component, and FSC chain of custody number. The total value of the wood components, the total value of the FSC-certified wood, and the FSC-certified wood value as percentage of total new wood-based component cost.

ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE

EAp1: Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems

Commissioning is defined as the process of verifying and documenting that the facility and all of its system and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the Owner’s Project Requirements.

Building commissioning is about making sure the energy systems work and do what the owner needs and the design team recommends. Commissioned systems include HVAC and R, lighting, domestic hot water, and renewable energy from any source (on-site or elsewhere.)

The owner comes up with the OPR (owner’s project requirements.) The OPR addresses the owner’s purpose and use for the project, environmental and sustainability goals, indoor environmental quality requirements, equipment and systems expectations, number of occupants, and O&M personnel requirements.

The design team is supposed to develop a BOD (basis of design.) The BOD includes a narrative of the systems to be commissioned, basic design assumptions, standards that are used, and descriptions of performance criteria.
So, you hire a Commissioning Authority (CxA) who oversees the commissioning process. The CxA has to have a minimum of two years experience on similar projects, and must be independent of the design team for any project over 50,000 SF.

There are six things the CxA is supposed to do:
1. Review the design team’s basis of design and the owner’s project requirements to make sure they make sense and include what’s necessary.
2. Come up with a commissioning plan (the plan would assign team members, identify strategies and responsibilities, and outline the commissioning process.)
3. Verify the installation and performance of systems (installation inspection, systems performance testing, and evaluation of results as compared to what the OPR and BOD were asking for)
4. Report the findings to the owner.
5. Complete a summary with the report.
6. Develop and incorporate commissioning requirements into the construction documents.
The submittal has to be done during the Construction Phase. The template asks you to identify the Commissioning Authority, and confirm that the OPR and BOD were documented, the commissioning requirements made it into the construction documents, a commissioning plan was both created and used, systems were installed and their performance was checked, and a commissioning report was completed. Describe the systems that were commissioned.

EAp2: Minimum Energy Performance

Establish the minimum level of energy efficiency for the proposed building and systems. This prerequisite is about establishing a minimum level of energy efficiency for the building system. It covers the building envelope, HVAC, service water heating, power, interior and exterior lighting, and equipment with permanently wired electrical motors.

Under Option 1, the building envelope and system have to comply with ASHRAE 90.1-2004, sections 5-10. They also have to comply with the prescriptive requirements. As I understand it, which is unfortunately not well, the mandatory and prescriptive requirements of ASHRAE address aspects of the following:

Building Envelope: Meet the requirements for air leakage, insulation, and window, door and skylight ratings by climate zone.

HVAC: Heating and air conditioning requirements for efficiency, load, controls, construction, and insulation.

Service Water Heating: Meet requirements for load, efficiency, insulation, and controls.

Power: Related to voltage drop.

Lighting: Interior and exterior luminaires and occupancy controls. Lighting calculations are done using the building area method (which is by type of building and lighting power density) OR the space-by-space method.

Other equipment: Must meet mandatory provisions defined in the standard.
Under Option 2, comply with local codes or the Dept of Energy standards instead of ASHRAE. Provide occupancy controls for classrooms, meeting rooms, and break rooms.

The submittal is made in the Design Phase. Confirm that the project complies with the mandatory provisions of ASHRAE 90.1-2004 without amendments. Indicate whether you used the prescriptive requirements, the performance requirements, or a computer simulation model.

Referenced standards:
ASHRAE 90.1-2004, mandatory provisions
ASHRAE 90.1-2004, prescriptive requirements OR performance requirements

EAp3: Fundamental Refrigerant Management

The goal of this credit is to limit or eliminate the use of CFC-based refrigerants in HVAC and fire systems, which would help reduce ozone depletion. ODP means ozone depletion potential and GWP means global warming potential. The referenced standard for this credit is the EPA Montreal Protocol of 1987.

For a new building, no CFC-based refrigerants are allowed. Specify HVAC and R equipment that does not use CFC refrigerants.

An existing building requires a 5-year phase-out program for HVAC units and fire systems that use CFCs. Mechanical systems that use chilled water cannot have any CFCs regardless.

If replacing the CFC HVAC system is going to cost so much that it won’t pay for itself in 10 years, the project may be excused from the prerequisite provided that leakage is limited to less than 5%.

This prerequisite is submitted as part of the design submittal, as all the prerequisites are. In the submittal template, choose Option 1: Zero Use of CFC-Based Refrigerants, or Option 2: Phase-out Plan for any Existing CFC-based Equipment. Provide a narrative of the phase out plan if that’s what you’re doing, including dates and refrigerant quantities.

EAc1: Optimize Energy Performance

Achieve increasing levels of energy performance above the baseline in the prerequisite standard to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use.

There are multiple point-earning thresholds in this credit depending on percentage of performance achieved over the baseline established in Minimum Energy Performance. The goal is just to reduce overall building energy consumption.

Option 1: (1 to 10 points achievable) Whole Building Energy Simulation. This is best used for large buildings. The simulation is done using the Building Performance Rating Method in Appendix G of ASHRAE 90.1-2004.

For new buildings, demonstrate a percentage increase in improvement over the baseline using ASHRAE 90.1-2004. There is one point for a 10.5% improvement, and then the percentage increases are counted in increments of 3.5% (2 points for 14%, 3 points for 17.5%, etc.) up to 10 points. As of now, I guess you’re supposed to earn a minimum of 2 points (or a14% improvement) to qualify for the credit.

For existing buildings the expectations are lower – you get one point for a 3.5% increase, then one point for each additional 3.5% increase up to 10 points. (For Exemplary Performance, new buildings require an improvement of 45.5% and existing buildings require an improvement of 38.5%) The calculations include all energy costs.

Four building orientation energy simulations are required. Energy modeling steps include looking at ways to optimize the orientation of the building – solar exposure, daylight harvesting, solar energy, wind energy – occupancy schedules, energy needs, thermal/insulation transmittal qualities of the building envelope. Use a conceptual design to create a basic energy model. Evaluate the envelope, daylighting, and other ways to reduce energy consumption. How can different strategies be combined for best results? What are the HVAC options? Choose an HVAC system and create a model to simulate energy use.

Option 2: (4 points achievable) Prescriptive Compliance Path using Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Office Buildings 2004 (or, as I like to call it, Advanced EDGe Son Of a Bitch.) This is ONLY for projects with office occupancy under 20,000 SF. The calculations use climate zone factor instead of energy cost.

Option 3: (2-5 points achievable) Prescriptive Compliance Path: Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide (to remember this, I think of children: ABC PG.) This is for buildings under 100,000 SF and CANNOT be used for labs, warehouses, or healthcare facilities. Comply with Section 1 (design process strategies) and Section 2 (core performance requirements) of the Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide. Points are awarded based on project type – 3 points for office, school, public assembly, and retail occupancies, and 2 points for any other project type.

After that, two additional points are available for implementation of Section 3, Enhanced Performance, 1 point for every 3 strategies implemented (but you can’t use 3.1 cool roofs, 3.8 night venting, or 3.13 additional commissioning.)

Recap:
Option 1: ASHRAE 90.1-2004, 10 points possible
Option 2: Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Office Buildings, 4 points possible
Option 3: Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide, 2-5 points, depending

The submittal can be made in the Design Phase while dancing on one foot with a black cat under a full moon. Indicate which compliance option was chosen.

Option 1, for whole building energy performance, enter information about the energy modeling software and the four rotations required by the Performance Rating Method, including comparisons to baseline cases. Building occupancy type, including conditioned area and unconditioned area, and summaries of warnings or advisory notices from the software. The template asks for an energy type summary with utility rates for natural gas & electricity, units of energy, and units of demand in Kilowatt Hours and Kilowatts (electricity), as well as therms and MBH (gas.) There is also a section where you would indicate if you’re using any on-site renewable energy. Another section is labeled Exceptional Calculation Measure Summary, and lists types of energy, annual energy savings by type, and annual cost savings. And then there’s the Performance Rating Method Compliance Report, showing baseline performance, energy type, units of annual energy and peak demand. There are tables for summarizing energy use by type of equipment such as fans, pumps, exterior lighting, elevators and escalators, cooking, refrigeration and corresponding energy use in kWh. Upload the energy simulation files. Phew!

Option 2 uses the Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Office Buildings 2004. This just asks you to agree the project is less than 20,000 SF, is office occupancy, and has complied with the criteria of the standard for the correct climate zone.

Option 3 on the template looks like it references a standard no longer being used for this credit, so that’s all I can tell you. USGBC, update your website! Sheesh.

Eac2: On-Site Renewable Energy

Encourage and recognize increasing levels of on-site renewable energy self-supply in order to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with fossil fuel energy use. Use on-site renewable energy systems to offset building energy cost. Calculate project performance by expressing the energy produced by the renewable systems as a percentage of the building annual energy cost.

Self-supply of building energy is the idea here, which should be fairly obvious from the title of the credit. What’s cool about it is that you can actually feed excess power back to the grid for net metering.

Types of energy accepted for this credit include: solar, photovoltaic, wind, geothermal for heating and electric, biomass, bio-gas, and low-impact hydro-electric.

Not allowed are: architectural features, passive solar features, daylighting, geo-exchange (i.e. ground-source heat pumps), or green power from off site (because that’s covered in Eac6: Green Power.)

This credit awards up to 3 points based on percentage of renewable energy used in the project. On-site renewable energy is figured as a percentage of annual electricity cost. You get 1 point for 2.5%, 2 points for 7.5%, and 3 points for 12.5%. Exemplary Performance allows one additional point for making it to 17.5% renewable energy produced on-site.

The referenced standards are Department of Energy (DOE) and the Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS.)

The submittal can be made in the Design Phase, by the Mechanical Engineer. In general, it includes the onsite renewable energy source, predicted energy generation, and a back-up energy source. Indicate whether you used energy simulation modeling or the CBECS database to determine average annual energy consumption and the EIA 2003 Commercial Sector Average Energy Costs by State to calculate the projected annual energy cost for the project as well as the renewable energy costs.

If you used computer simulation to establish the baseline, you would enter information gathered for Credit 1, Optimize Energy Performance. List the renewable source, backup energy type, annual energy generated, rated capacity, and renewable energy cost.

If you used the CBECS, you’d enter the building type, square footage, CBECS data about things like median electrical intensity and renewable energy data. There is a required narrative about the renewable energy systems and factors that might influence performance.

Eac3: Enhanced Commissioning

Begin the commissioning process early during the design process and execute additional activities after systems performance vertification is completed.

Enhanced Commissioning is so much more fun than Fundamental Commissioning! And it’s just, like, so much better. In addition to doing all the stuff the CxA does in the prerequisite, in enhanced commissioning the CxA also does a commissioning design review prior to mid construction documents, reviews the contractor submittals for commissioned systems, and reviews building operations within 10 months after substantial completion of the project. The project team and/or the CxA provide a systems manual and verify that staff and occupant training requirements have been met.

The submittal is done during the Construction Phase and can be completed by the Owner, Contractor, or CxA. As with Fundamental Commissioning, identify the CxA, and check off whether the following tasks have been completed:
• a commissioning design review of the OPR and BOD, and design documents prior to mid-construction documents,
• review of contractor submittals,
• systems manual for operating staff
• training of operating staff and building occupants in O&M
• promise to review the building operation within 10 months of substantial completion
• provide a narrative on what went down.
It’s ownage, dude!

Eac4: Enhanced Refrigerant Management

Reduce ozone depletion and support early compliance with the Montreal Protocol while minimizing direct contributions to global warming.

What makes enhanced refrigerant management enhanced is that in addition to complying with the EPA Montreal Protocol of 1987, you will also comply with the Clean Air Act of 1990. Again, we are attempting to limit ozone depletion by cutting down on or ideally eliminating CFC refrigerants.

Option 1: Don’t use refrigerants at all.

Option 2: Use refrigerants and HVAC and R systems that limit or eliminate the emission of ozone depleting and/or global warming compounds. Fire suppression systems should not contain CFCs, HCFCs, or Halons. Use natural refrigerants like water, carbon dioxide, and ammonia. Minimize the leakage rate (Lr) and use equipment with efficient refrigerant charge (Rc). Use equipment with a long service life. Window or room AC units and heat pumps should have a service life of 10 years. Unitary, split & pacakaged AC and heat pumps should have a service life of 15 years. Reciprocating compressors and chillers should have a service life of 20 years. And centrifugal, screw, and absorption chillers, 23 years.
(Note that small HVAC units containing less than half a pound of refrigerants, refrigerators, water coolers, or any other equipment containing less than half a pound of refrigerant are not included as part of the base building.)

The submittal can be made in the Design Phase. The Mechanical Engineer does it.  In general it covers the HVAC & R equipment types, equipment number, size in tons, refrigerant used, refrigerant charge. The template is particularly unattractive. It has a huge table with room for information about the types of refrigerants used and impact per year. Does anyone know what “light trespass analysis” means? Don’t look at me.

Eac5: Measurement & Verification

Provide for the ongoing accountability of building energy consumption over time. M&V is done after the building is occupied. This credit is about checking the energy consumption of the building over time – making sure that while it started okay, it later doesn’t become a hog. To achieve the credit, develop and implement a Measurement and Verification plan that complies with:

Option D: Calibrated Simulation (savings estimation method 2), best used for large buildings

Option B: Energy Conservation Measure Isolation specified in the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol Volume 3. Smaller buildings use ECM Isolation.

M&V covers at least a year’s worth of post-construction occupancy and begins with occupancy. IPMVP Vol 3, “Concepts and Options for Determining Energy Savings in New Construction”, April 2003.

Construction Phase submittal by the Mechanical Engineer. The template asks if you used Option D, Calibrated Simulation, or Option B, Energy Conservation Measure Isolation. Upload a copy of the M&V Plan for either option, and provide a narrative describing the design method (whether CIBSE or Analytic Model) with regard to natural ventilation.

Eac6: Green Power

Use grid-source renewable energy on a net zero pollution basis. Eligible types of renewable energy, as defined by the Center for Resource Solutions, include solar, photo-voltaic, wind, geothermal, biomass, bio-gas, and low-impact hydro electric that meet “Green-E” product certification requirements. Baseline electricity use is determined by using the annual electricity consumption from the results in Optimize Energy Performance, OR uses Dept of Energy (DOE) and CBECS (Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey) standards. You should also remember Center for Resource Solutions Green-e Product Certification Requirements. (Green-e means Green Energy.)

Case 1: In a state with an open electrical market, use a 35% Green-e certified power provider with a two-year contract.

Case 2: in states with a closed electrical market, enroll in a Green Power program for 35% of the electrical energy.

Case 3: Where green power is not available, buy tradable renewable certificates (RECs) equivalent to 35% of predicted annual electrical consumption for a two-year period.

For Exemplary Performance you would buy 70% Green-e certified power or a 4-year contract.

The submittal can be done by the Owner during the Construction Phase.
For Option 1, Green Power based on Design Energy Cost; provide the total annual electric energy usage

For Option 2, Green Power, based on Actual Electricity Consumption, provide total annual electrical consumption in kWh projected for 3 months of post-occupancy electrical utility bill information.

For Option 3, Green Power based on Default Electricity Consumption, provide building type, square footage, median electrical intensity in kWh/SF/year, and annual electric energy use in kWh per year.

Summarize the purchase type, information about the provider of tradable renewable certificates, the amount of annual green power purchased, and contract length. Provide a narrative describing how the green power or green power tags are being bought.

WATER EFFICIENCY

There are no prerequisites for Water Efficiency. Credits 2 and 3 use FTE calculations. All Water Efficiency credits are submitted in the Design Phase.

WEc1.1: Water Efficient Landscaping  – Reduce by 50%

Reduce potable water consumption for irrigation by 50% from a calculated mid-summer baseline case.

The goal of the credit is to reduce or eliminate the use of potable water for landscape irrigation. It uses a mid-July summer baseline case for comparison against the design case. The baseline case assumes installation of typical plantings, but for purposes of achieving this credit, your Landscape Architect will choose plants that need less water. The landscape architect is the expert for this credit.

A few different strategies are available to help achieve the credit. Use high efficiency irrigation methods, such as drip-irrigation, micro-misters, moisture sensors, and subsurface irrigation. Choose plants that require less water. Use recycled wastewater, captured rainwater, or water treated and conveyed by a public agency for non-potable use. This credit dovetails nicely with Stormwater Management Quantity Control, which can include the collection of rainwater. (Potential test question verbage: Factors that contribute to water use reduction include: plant species factor, irrigation efficiency, use of captured rainwater, use of recycled wastewater, or use of water treated and conveyed by a public agency.)

There are a few obscure definitions pertaining to plant species and their water needs. I’ve done my best to sort out what they might mean:

Evapotranspiration describes the sum of water evaporation plus plant transpiration (water loss from plants to the air) for a total of how much water moves from the Earth’s land surface to the atmosphere.

The evapotranspiration rate determines how much water is needed to grow a certain type of plant, which is affected by climate. This is used when calculating how much water each vegetation category will use.

The density factor accounts for planting density in a given area. More densely planted areas have a higher evapotranspiration rate – the more plants you have, the more water they give off.

The microclimate factor accounts for specific conditions of a landscape such as wind, humidity, and location.

The species factor accounts for different water needs in the same species.

The landscape coefficient looks at water evaporation plus plant transpiration for a total of how much water moves from the earth’s land surface to the atmosphere.

WEc1.1: Water Efficient Landscaping – No Potable Use or No Irrigation

Eliminate the use of potable water, or other natural surface or subsurface water resources available on or near the project site, for landscape irrigation.

Same idea as WE 1.1, but in this credit, no use of potable water is allowed – achievement of WE 1.1 is assumed. Use no potable water, or do not install an irrigation system. Irrigate with captured rainwater, recycled wastewater, recycled greywater, or water treated and conveyed by a public agency for non-potable use. Limit the amount of turf (grass), and use plants that don’t require permanent irrigation (a xeriscape is landscaping that requires minimal water to thrive.) A temporary irrigation system is allowed for one year while plants are being established but then must be removed. Mulching and alternative mowing are recommended.

WE 1.1 and 1.2 are covered by the same submittal template.The submittal template asks you to identify the compliance path chosen for the project. Enter the baseline irrigation consumption in gallons, the design case irrigation consumption in gallons, the gallons of potable water being used and, if applicable, indicate if you’re using on-site captured rainwater, on-site treated wastewater, greywater, or treated wastewater from a public agency. Upload landscape drawings and provide a narrative on the landscaping and irrigation strategies used. Explain the source and available quantity of non-potable water.

WEc2: Innovative Wastewater Technologies AKA the “What To Do With Sewage” Credit

Reduce generation of wastewater and potable water demand, while increasing the local aquifer recharge.

This credit is concerned with sewage conveyance and limiting the amount of potable water used for that purpose. It’s also meant to reduce the amount of wastewater generated by a project, and to recharge local aquifers. Ways to accomplish these goals include using water-conserving plumbing fixtures, and capturing rainwater or using wastewater treated on-site for flushing toilets.

Option 1 requires reducing the amount of potable water used by 50% from a baseline case. This is accomplished with a combination of the following methods:

• Water conserving fixtures like composting toilets and waterless urinals;
• Reusing onsite non-potable water for flushing (greywater recaptured from sinks and showers, or rainwater), and
• Reusing either wastewater that’s been treated on-site, or municipally treated wastewater.

For Exemplary Performance, use of potable water must be reduced by 100% from the baseline case. The baseline case covers the annual flush fixture water usage.

Option 2 allows compliance by treating and reusing 50% of wastewater on site. Water must be treated to tertiary standards. Methods include biological nutrient removal systems, constructed wetlands, and/or high efficiency filtration systems. The treated wastewater must then be re-used OR infiltrated on site.

For Exemplary Performance, 100% of onsite-generated wastewater must be treated and reused in the project.

In general, calculations consider male and female water usage and are based on usage rate, occupancy, and number of workdays. The Mechanical/Plumbing Engineer is the decision maker for this credit. The submittal can be filed during the Design Phase.

In the credit template, indicate if you are using Option 1, water savings calculation, or Option 2, on-site wastewater treatment. For Option 1, select either the default male/female occupancy of 50/50, or indicate a different gender breakdown. Enter the FTE totals by gender, and also totals of students, visitors, retail customers, and/or residential occupants. (There are established working concepts about how often these people will use the facilities. For a residence, one person is assumed to use flush and flow fixtures five times per day.) Indicate the percentage of male restrooms with urinals, and the annual days of operation. Enter flush fixture data for a baseline case that specifies fixture type, gender of user, gallons per flush, daily uses per person, and annual baseline flush fixture water usage in gallons per year. Enter the same information for the design case.

For Option 2, identify sources and quantities of non-potable water. Submit plumbing drawings. Show how much treated water is being used for sewage conveyance and how much is being infiltrated on site. The design case shows the annual flush fixture water usage, the total annual on-site water treatment, and the total percentage of sewage conveyance reduction. A narrative is required to explain strategies.

WEc3.1: Water Use Reduction – Reduce by 20%
WE c3.2 Water Use Reduction – Reduce by 30%
Exemplary Performance: 40%

Maximize water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems. Employ strategies that in aggregate use at least 20% (WE 3.1) or 30% (WE 3.2) less ater than the water use baseline calculated for the building (not including irrigation.)

These credits are meant to reduce the burden on municipal water supplies and treatment systems. Use less water from the city, and output less wastewater that needs to be treated by the city. These credits mainly have to do with plumbing fixture flush and flow rates.

Use 20% less water than the building baseline case to earn one point, and use 30% less water to earn two points. (This is for indoor plumbing only and has nothing to do with irrigation, which is covered in WE Credit 1.)

Comply with the Energy Policy Act of 1992 for plumbing fixture performance requirements. I’m pretty sure the EPAct is the standard that sets the baseline case which you will try to outperform.

We are concerned here only with the flush and flow rates of: water closets, urinals, lavatory faucets, showers, and kitchen sinks. Use fixtures with low or no flow rates. This could include the use of waterless urinals, composting toilets, occupant sensors, or metering controls. Stormwater or greywater could be used for non-potable applications.

Calculations are going to be based on fixture flush or flow rate in gallons per minute.
• Shower – 2.5. Lowflow -  1.8
• Lavatory – 2.5. Lowflow  – 1.8; ultra lowflow – 0.5
• Kitchen Sink – 2.5. Lowflow – 1.8
• Faucets – 2.5
• Aerator – 2.5
• Water Closet – 1.6. Lowflow -  1.1
• Dual Flush Water Closet – 1.6 lowflow – 0.8
• Composting Toilet – 0.0
• Urinal – 1 (lowflow – 0.5)
• Non-Water Urinal – 0.0

The Mechanical/Plumbing Engineer is in charge of reporting on this part of the project. The submittal can be made in the Design Phase. Information to be provided includes: FTE occupants, number of students/visitors, retail customers, residential occupants, or anyone else by gender. Annual days of operation. Percent of male restrooms with urinals. Flush fixture baseline case with fixture types, flush rates in gallons per flush, number of daily uses. Flow fixture baseline case with fixture types, flow rates in gallons per minute, duration, and daily uses by category of user. The template includes spaces for fixture model and manufacturer. Identify annual quantity of captured and on-site treated water. Basically it compares your annual baseline to design case and subtracts from that the non-potable water that you used. Requires a narrative of special measures taken.

SUSTAINABLE SITES

Let’s take a walk through the Sustainable Sites requirements, because we teach what we most need to learn. This includes the type of information they ask for in the submittal templates.

SSp1: Construction Activity Pollution Prevention:

This is a prerequisite – as such, if you don’t do it, you cannot have a LEED-certified project.

The purpose is to control erosion, dust, and waterway sedimentation during construction. The submittal will be made in the Construction Phase, and the primary team members are the Contractor and Civil Engineer.

You must provide an Erosion and Sedimentation Control Plan for the construction documents and specifications. It has to conform to either:

A) the requirements of the 2003 EPA Construction General Permit, or

B) local codes if more stringent.

Methods for controlling sedimentation include seeding and mulching (stabilization techniques) and silt fences, earth dikes, or sediment traps (structural methods.)

Submittal:

Option 1: You confirm you’re going to use an Erosion & Sedimentation Control Plan that conforms to the 2003 EPA Construction General Permit, which tells how to comply with Phases 1 and 2 of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.

Option 2: You say the ESC plan will instead follow more stringent local standards.

The submittal includes drawings and a narrative showing the ESC measures taken.

SSc1: Site Selection

The goal of this credit is to avoid mucking up untouched land and to limit site disturbance. The project’s Owner gets to decide what land to buy, obviously, so the Owner is the official Decider for this credit. In order to earn the credit, LEED requires that you not build on a site that is less than 5 feet above the 100-year flood elevation as defined by FEMA; within 100 feet of wetlands as defined by the US CFR; prime farmland as defined by the USDA; within 50 feet of a body of water (comply with the Clean Water Act); habitat for any threatened or endangered plant or animal species; or on public parkland (unless it’s a Park Authority project.)

The submittal can be made in the Design Phase. Confirm that the project isn’t being developed on any of the prohibited types of land. If there are special circumstances you must explain those. Indicate if you’re applying for the credit under an alternate approach and refer to any Credit Interpretation Requests you may have filed.

SSc2: Development Density & Community Connectivity

The idea of this credit is to encouraging building UP rather than OUT. Keep development in urban areas that already have existing infrastructure; preserve greenfields and protect wildlife habitat and natural resources.

The development density compliance path requires that if you’re doing a commercial project, it should be on previously developed land with a density of at least 60,000 SF per acre. The community connectivity approach to credit achievement says your project must be on previously developed land that has 10 different “basic services” (i.e. bank, grocery store, post office) within a half-mile radius. “Services” cannot include parks or lakes, and must be accessible from the project by pedestrians. Also, there must be a residential area with an average density of 10 units per acre within that same half-mile radius.

Submittal can made in the Design Phase. The template asks for the project site area in SF, the gross building area in SF, and whether you are choosing Option 1, compliance using Development Density, or Option 2, compliance using Community Connectivity. For Option 1 you need to upload a site vicinity plan that shows the density radius for the project. The template asks for information like: site area in acres and building area in sf/acre, the density radius in linear feet, a list of properties within the density radius and the area in SF of those buildings. For Option 2 you provide a vicinity plan showing a half-mile radius around the project and a list of community services available within the radius. This means a list of actual business names. For all service categories except restaurants, you can only include one business. It’s okay to include two restaurants.

SSc3: Brownfield Redevelopment

Boy howdy – if you do this, you’re cleaning up a big mess. You might even qualify for tax incentives under CERCLA (aka Superfund, aka Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act.) This credit requires you to put your project on a contaminated site. First, of course, you will remediate contaminated soil and groundwater. Using the EPA definition of a Brownfield, you refer to ASTM E1903-97 or local codes, whichever is more stringent, for guidance on how to do this.

In the submittal: You indicate if your approach is Option 1, to rely on the ASTM E1903-97 definition of a brownfield, which includes a Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment, or if you prefer Option 2, you can demonstrate that the site has been defined as a brownfield by a local, state, or federal agency. After you do that, you describe the contamination and remediation efforts (i.e. bioreactors, pump-and-treat, solar detoxification), and there is room for an optional narrative.

SSc4.1 Alternative Transportation: Public Transportation Access

The purpose of ALL the Alternative Transportation credits is to give people reasons to stay out of their cars.

Locate the project where it is half a mile walking distance from one existing or planned & funded train station (commuter, light rail, subway) and within a quarter mile of two or more bus lines (public or campus.) To earn an Exemplary Performance credit you can either create a glorious “comprehensive transportation management plan demonstrating a quantifiable reduction in auto use” or you can put the project near two train stations (separate lines) and within a quarter mile of two or more stops for four or more bus lines. Frequency of stops must be at least 200 transit rides per day.

In the submittal (Design Phase) you demonstrate that the project is within half a mile of a train station and a quarter mile of bus service. You include a vicinity plan showing the locations of the stops, and provide the distance to those stops in miles, plus a description of the line or service. Include a transit schedule for Exemplary Performance.

SSc4.2: Alternative Transportation: Bicycle Storage and Changing Rooms

This is the first of several credits that deals with the concept of Full-Time Equivalent Occupants (FTE), Transient Users, and Peak Building Users. FTE = Occupant Hours divided by 8. If you add to the FTE the number of transient users, you get the peak users.

For example, if you had 100 staffers on site for 8 hours a day each, and 20 staffers there for 4 hours a day, you’d have 800 hours + 80 hours. That would give you 880 Occupant Hours, which you would then divide by 8 to get 110 FTEs. Add to the FTEs 30 visitors and you’d have 140 peak building users.

It would be nice if people could ride their bikes instead of driving. For a non-residential project, you have to provide secure bike racks for five percent of the peak users, within 200 yards of the project entrance. You also have to provide a shower/changing facility for half a percent of the FTE occupants within 200 yards of the building entrance. Only the people who are going to be there all day need showers, so the transient users are not included in showers/changing rooms calculation. For a residential project, you only need covered bicycle storage for 15% of the residents – no need for showers because they already have showers in their homes.

The LEED AP and Architect are most responsible for documenting this credit.  The submittal can be made in the Design Phase. The template asks for the following information: Indicate if the project is Option 1 – Non-Residential, Option 2 – Residential, or Option 3 – Mixed. You include project site plans and floor plans. The drawings show where the bike racks and showers are. Indicate how many FTE occupants, the peak building users, the number of bike storage spaces provided, how far storage is from the entry of the building, and whether the racks are locked or covered. Enter the number of showers/changing facilities and how far they are from the entrance of the building. For a residential project, you indicate the number of units.

SSc4.3: Alternative Transportation: Low-Emitting & Fuel Efficient Vehicles

This credit is mostly up to the Owner of the project. The USGBC wants you to use green cars, and toward this end, you are asked to either supply the actual fleet, fueling stations for such cars, or at the very least, provide special parking advantages for green cars (i.e. spots closer to the entrance of the building and/or discounts.) Your choices are to:

Option 1: Provide green cars and preferred parking for those cars for 3% of the FTE.

Option 2:  Just provide preferred parking for green cars for 5% of the total parking capacity (not including the handicapped parking spaces.)

Option 3: Provide charging/alternative refueling stations for 3% of the parking capacity (exclude handicapped parking.)

Green cars are defined as ZEVs (zero emission vehicles) with an Energy Star rating of 40.
The submittal can be made in the Design Phase. Here you select Option 1 to show you’re supplying low-emitting/fuel efficient vehicles, Option 2 to show you’re only supplying preferred parking for that type of car, or Option 3, you’re provided alternative refueling stations. Include the FTE occupancy for the project, site plans, and drawings showing the location of the preferred parking. Under Option 1 indicate how many cars, the vehicle make, model, and fuel type, and whether they are ZEVs or if you’re using the ACEEE (American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy) Green Score. On Option 2, enter the total parking capacity and the number of preferred parking spaces provided. On Option 3 enter the total parking capacity and provide site plans showing the location of the refueling stations. Tell how many refueling stations you’ve provided, the type of fuel, station manufacturer and model number, and vehicle fueling capacity per station in an 8-hour day.

SSc4.4: Alternative Transportation: Parking Capacity

This credit addresses how much parking to provide, or how to get away with limiting the amount of parking, the apparent goal being to encourage the use of carpools and vanpools. The submittal can be made in the Design Phase, and the people most responsible for this part of the project will be the Owner and Civil Engineer.

Option 1 (non-residential): Don’t provide any more parking than the minimum number of spaces required by the local zoning code. Of those spaces, dedicate 5% of them for carpool parking.

Option 2 (non-residential): If the project already provides parking for less than 5% of the FTE, make 5% of the remaining spaces preferred parking for carpools.

Option 3 (residential): Don’t exceed local zoning requirements. Establish (create new or find an existing) a Shared Vehicle Program with an adjacent building.

Option 4: No new parking.

Calculations don’t include the handicapped parking spaces.

Choose your type of project. Enter the total parking capacity for the project, the amount of parking required by local zoning, the number of preferred parking spaces you’ve given for carpools. The FTE where applicable.

SSc5.1: Site Development, Protect or Restore Habitat

What we’re trying to accomplish here is limiting the disturbance of natural areas, restoring damaged areas, providing habitat for other creatures both animal and vegetable, and promoting “biodiversity.” As I understand it, promoting biodiversity means protecting the integrity of the food chain or ecosystem. If only a few things can live somewhere, pretty soon you’ve got one or two species and nothing else. (Someone explained it to me this way: If water becomes silty and murky, the fish, frogs, and plants die, and leeches, worms, and algae take over. The death of a water body is called eutrophication. But that was about water and this is about land.) This credit has to do with choices made by the Owner, Contractor and Civil Engineer during the Construction Phase.

If the project is on a greenfield, site disturbance should be limited beyond 40 feet of the building perimeter; 25 feet of constructed areas (i.e. a sports field); 15 feet of roadways; 10 feet of walkways and main utility pipes.

If the project is on a previously developed site, you are required to restore impervious surfaces (surfaces that don’t let water sink into the ground) such that 50% of the site area will be “green.” Use native/adapted plant species. The building footprint is not included in the area calculation.

If the project is on a site with a zero-lot line, 20% of the site should be kept green. This can include the building footprint in the area calculation, because if you’ve got a zero-lot line, it would be difficult to achieve the credit otherwise. If the project is going to earn Development Density, you can use the area of a vegetative roof toward this credit.

To earn Exemplary Performance, you would make 75% of the site area “green” using native species.

Submittal:

Indicate whether you’re building on a greenfield or on a previously developed site. If it’s a greenfield site, confirm it meets the restrictions on site disturbance, and if it’s previously developed, enter the total site area excluding the building footprint (in SF), the site area that’s been restored (in SF), and upload a site/landscape plan with information about planting materials showing restored area.

SSc5.2: Site Development, Maximize Open Space

The idea is to make a lot of open area around a building, which makes everyone feel good. The requirements are a big confusing pain in the butt. There are a few different compliance scenarios:

Case One: You have a site where there is a local code for open space. You exceed the requirement by 25% (multiply space requirement by 1.25)

Case 2: You’ve got a site like a university or military base where there is no code – here you make the open space the size of the building footprint.

Case 3: There is a local code, but the code has a zero open space requirement. Make the open space 20% of the site area (multiply site area by .20 for amount of open space.)

Got that?

Projects that qualify for Development Density can include green roof area in their calculations. Pedestrian hardscapes can count as long as 25% of the open space is vegetated. Wetlands or naturally designed ponds can count as open space if the side slope gradients average 1:4 (vertical: horizontal) or less and are vegetated. For Exemplary Performance, double the amounts of space required.

The Owner and Civil Engineer are primarily responsible for these decisions. The submittal can be made in the Design Phase. There are boxes for entering the square footage of space required and of space provided, as well as the area of the building footprint and total site area. Site/landscape drawings must be included and show the location of the open space.

SSc6.1: Stormwater Design, Quantity Control

The gist of “quantity control” is to either make precipitation sink into the ground or collect it for re-use, cutting down on the amount of water that is flowing off the site. The best way to do this is to reduce the amount of impervious surface (i.e. solid pavement.) Alternative approaches can include rain gardens, vegetated swales, vegetated rooftops, grid paving, pervious paving, and rainwater recycling. The requirements are so technical only your Civil Engineer will understand them.

If the impervious surface is less than or equal to 50% of the site area, the post-development peak discharge rate and quantity should be equal to or less than the pre-development rate and quantity for 1 & 2 year, 24-hour design storms. I think this means if the site is largely undeveloped, it shouldn’t have any more runoff after you’re done with it than it did before you worked on it. A stormwater management plan has to be implemented. This is to protect receiving streams from erosion. This is called a Stream Channel Protection Strategy.

If the site is already largely developed, having impervious surfaces on 50% or more of the site area, the post-development peak discharge rate and quantity should be 25% less than the pre-development rate and quantity for 2-year, 24 hour design storms. How this is measured is beyond me.

In the submittal, which can be done in the Design Phase, you (or in this case “you” means the Civil Engineer) provide the pre-development site runoff rate, the pre-development site runoff quantity, the post-development runoff rate, and the post-development runoff quantity. For a largely undeveloped site, they want you to describe site conditions and what you’ve tried to do to prevent “excessive stream velocities”. That’s pretty much it.

SSc6.2: Stormwater Design: Quality Control

The concept here is to limit water pollution. The referenced standard is Guidance Specifying Management Measures for Sources of Non-Point Pollution in Coastal Waters, Jan. 1993. You’ll also refer to the EPA, and should know the term “BMP” (best management practices.) This is another job for the Civil Engineer.

Capture and treat 90% of stormwater runoff. Remove 80% of TSS (total suspended solids.) Use BMPs to promote infiltration, limit runoff, and remove pollutants. Non-structural methods include vegetated swales, disconnected impervious areas, rainwater recycling, rain gardens. Structural approaches include cisterns, manhole treatment devices, ponds, repair of storm sewers, separation of combined sewers. Alternative surfaces include vegetated roofs, pervious pavement, and grid pavers.

In the template, which can be completed during the Design Phase, confirm that the stormwater runoff from 90% of the average annual rainfall is treated to remove 80% of the average annual post-development total suspended solids. Describe the Best Management Practices, and the percent of annual rainfall volume treated using each BMP. This will be for both structural and non-structural controls. You’ll say how the BMP contributed to stormwater filtration if non-structural, and how it removed pollutants if it was a structural method.

SSc7.1: Heat Island Effect: Non-Roof

This has to do with how you handle hardscapes, or paved surface areas, on the site. Because of solar retention on absorptive surfaces like pavement, urban areas tend to be hotter  – and this can negatively impact wildlife and people, creating a microclimate that is artificially different from what the surrounding areas. The credit mentions a method for measuring reflectivity and emittance of surfaces, called the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI.) How well a surface rejects solar heat is indicated on a scale of 0 (black) to 100 (white). Emissivity has to do with radiation.

The two approaches to earning this credit are:

Option 1: For your roads, sidewalks, courtyards, parking lots, etc. you can use any combination of the following protections: Shade within 5 years of occupancy, open grid paving (the kind that comes in squares with grass growing in the middle, or any pavement that is 50% pervious) or use paving materials with a Solar Reflective Index of at least 29, the combined total of which should equal 50% of the total hardscape on the site.

Option 2: Cover 50% of the parking (as figured by number of parking spaces) – underground, under deck, under cover – and make the roof materials covering the parking with an SRI of at least 29. Pavement should be min. SRI 29.
For Exemplary Performance the requirements are doubled.

The people most involved in this credit are the Contractor, LEED AP, Landscape Architect, and Civil Engineer. The submittal is done in the Construction Phase. Indicate whether you’re using Option 1, for any combination of reflective paving, shading, or open grid pavement, or Option 2 for covered parking. Upload site/landscape plans showing the site area, building footprint area, location and quantity of paving materials, paved areas that are shaded, and/or underground or covered parking. Provide the SRI value for each paving material – enter either actual reflectance and emittance data, or the template will give default values by type of material. Include the total area of non-roof hardscapes, the area of surfaces with pervious open-grid paving, and the area of hardscape with an SRI of at least 29. Include the area of hardscape shaded by trees or other landscape features. If you’re using the covered parking option they ask for the area of roof with an SRI of at least 29, the total number of covered parking spaces, and the total number of parking spaces for the project.

SSc7.2: Heat Island Effect: Roof

Same idea as Non-Roof, but deals with roofing materials and slopes.

Option 1 requires you to make 75% of the roofing material SRI 78 or higher if it is a low-sloped roof, and SRI 29 or higher if it is a steep-sloped roof. Maybe that’s because a flatter roof gets more direct sunlight.

Option 2 says you can install a vegetated roof on 50% of the roof area.

Option 3 lets you use a combination of those approaches provided that the area of the SRI-appropriate roof divided by .75 PLUS the area of the vegetated roof divided by .5 are together greater than the total roof area.

For Exemplary Performance you’d have a 100% green roof excluding mechanical equipment, photovoltaic panels and skylights.

The six referenced standards are just freaking ridiculous: ASTM C1371-04; C1549-04; E408-71; E903-96; E1918-97; and E1980-1. Their names are so disturbing I’m not even going to tell you what they are, because that would be cruel, and what’s more, if you knew them, they wouldn’t make any sense unless you yourself were out on the job site with a portable emissometer, pyranometer, or solar reflectometer. And who even knows what those are? Basically these are methods of measuring the way different surface materials are affected by heat and light.

Provide the roof area in SF, and indicate whether you’re using Option 1, reflective roofing materials, Option 2, a green roof system, or Option 3, a combination. You need to include roof plans showing the location and quantity of required roofing materials and/or vegetated roofing. For a low-sloped roof you give the area covered with materials that have an SRI of at least 78. For steep-sloped roofs you give the area that has an SRI of at least 29. Then there is a table of roofing materials that asks for the product name, manufacturer, product ID, reflectance and emittance values, and the slope.

SSc8: Light Pollution Reduction

This is one my favorite LEED credits. I like to see stars at night. Nocturnal animals want night to be dark. Did you know buildings give off so much light that they throw off the migration patterns of birds? Also, if you control glare it’s easier for people to get around.

For interior lighting, keep the light inside the building. Make non-emergency lights shut off automatically after hours. For exterior lighting, only use as much as you need. You are not allowed to exceed 80% of the lighting power densities for exterior areas – do not exceed 50% of the lighting power densities for building facades and landscape features as defined by ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004, Section 9. Do not install lighting more than two and a half times the building height from the property line. Lighting zone distinctions: LZ1 – dark/rural; LZ2 – low/residential; LZ3 – medium/commercial; LZ4 – high/city centers, entertainment. Refer to 90.1-2004 Sec. 9, the American National Standards Institute, and California Energy Code Title 24. Remember zones are defined by IESNA RP-33. Candelas measure the intensity of light.

The LEED AP and Lighting Designer work on this one. The submittal can be made in the Design Phase. Upload site plans and exterior lighting plans. The drawings have to show the location and type of all exterior fixtures or show there is no exterior lighting. For interior lighting you upload drawings that show where the fixtures are and that interior light won’t escape to exterior surfaces. Or you show there are automatic turn-off controls for non-business hours. You provide a lighting fixture schedule. There is a table of lighting power densities allowed for both interior and exterior. You indicate the site lighting zone classification and number of installed fixtures, total lamp lumens and total lamp lumens above an angle of 90 degrees from nadir. You must provide a narrative about light trespass analysis using horizontal and vertical footcandles and where those are in relation to the site boundary.

U.S. culture is incredibly silly, and much ado about nothing, yet on we go, round and round, the pack hunting the weak and feeding off them, the eaters eating, the starvers starving, everybody trying to get to a place of More, even when they have Most and more isn’t always better and more is often less. Teaming over the planet like cockroaches sucking dry the last drop of sustenance, and then being flushed down the toilet bowl of geological time.

I would like to be far away from the machinations and ego jockeying for status, territory, position; the backbiting and discussing; the hassling, haggling, haranguing intrigues, with everyone crying like seagulls – Me, mine, me, mine. You can’t solve a spiritual problem with a shopping trip, or a superficial conversation, or the candy of compliments, or the wine of wallowing. The only thing constant is the void of life.

My Dearest would say in the question of meaning lies freedom – the freedom to make of it what you will, and I believe that is a good thing, because as he said, what if there were a meaning of life but you didn’t like or agree with that meaning? What if that meaning negated you, prevented you from being who you are, or doing what you care about? No answer should do that to you.

I want to hear something I’ve never heard, clear like the rainbow we saw in Missoula, big enough to straddle  two hills, or the tree struck by lightning. The scent of mountain laurel with their hexagonal bells, sweetness of peonies, lilacs, and forsythia. Childhood memories of Spring, the ones I miss. I don’t know how to get back to that place.

If only the rain would fall and the floor felt cool and smooth, and the shushing on the roof cleansed all the grief and rage from the sky and washed it away. Somewhere let there be a little silent music, a shivering in the atmosphere that whispers about grass and what it felt like to sit on the sidewalk as a child using a metal key to tighten my metal-wheeled roller skates, on the cool pavement, on a summer morning, with nobody around, at the end of a dead-end street, where I watched ants parade over the stones I collected, saw them roam the cracks filled with sandy dirt. I played a game that the asphalt was an ocean and the rocks were stepping stones for figurines, and imagined a beach.

This day will end like every other day, and tomorrow will begin like every other day, and some day all the days will run out, and there will be an ending to my time here that maybe will come to nothing, like the last words written about my father’s life:

Tuesday 7p – 7a 02/27/07. Kenny in bed, PCA and daughter Kenni in living room. 8 pm – Doses morphine/Ativan administered. 9 pm – Kenny had a sip of water. Talk a little bit, open up his eyes and smile. 10 pm – Dose of morphine and Lavisine rubbed on his chest. Positioned on the left side. 12 am – Dose of morphine and Lavisine rubbed on his chest. 2 pm – Another dose of morphine given. 3 am – Dose of morphine. 4:30 am – Ken’s last Breath – No Response. Daughter Kenni checked the heart, pulse, respiration. The whole system had shut down. So called the Hospice Nurse for other concerns. God bless him with Eternal Life.

The universe lives eternally without us. The value of a life is in its effect on other lives. As a friend said, “We are remembered according to the interpretations of others.” Kindness matters more than achievement and even more than sanity. I want to create pictures and words – and to raise children who are reasonably whole people with aspirations and hope. And if I could I want to make my corner of the world healthier or stronger. Is that possible? Jewish tradition would say not only is it possible, it is required. Tikkun olam. Tzedekah. My best times in the studio were when I felt energy move through me, as if God were painting and I was the brush. “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Be the brush.

“Remember when you were a whale and I was a fish boy?”

It reminded me of being pregnant with him, feeling his body flip over inside me. And I thought: this is what it must feel like to be the Earth….

In spite of the common observation that corporations and governments are the biggest polluters, I still believe our choices as individuals add up. When I think about pollution, the destructive influence human beings have on the health of the planet, I imagine industrialization is like cancer.  We fail to see that we are part of a huge body rotating in the sun. We are alienated from the source of life, running amok, out of control.

What I can do may not stop global warming, but I don’t want to let that be an excuse to remain passive. Nothing leaves this planet.

Plastics are widely used petroleum-based products, yet they cannot break down in landfill. Not even the so-called “biodegradable” plastics, which are better, but still take years to disintegrate. Plastics are  made from toxic substances (i.e. formaldehyde, chlorine, phenol) that can leach into food products we use or through skin contact. Early puberty in children as young as eight has been linked to exposure to plastics, especially the PVC (polyvinyl chloride) found in toys, shower curtains, and packaging labeled with the “3″ designation. Phthalates mimic estrogen. Plastics that have already been manufactured are practically permanent, so it is imperative to recycle them, or find a second use for them. Because they are made of different compounds that will not mix, all of the same type must be broken down together (thus the number-labeling system.)

PET (polyethylene terepthalate) is labeled “1″ in the triangular symbol on containers. PET flakes are used as the raw material for a range of products that would otherwise be made of polyester. Examples include polyester fibres, a base material for the production of clothing, pillows, carpets, polyester sheet, strapping, or new PET bottles.

HDPE (high density polyethylene) is labeled “2″ on containers and is denser and stronger. It’s used for things like pipes, wood-plastic composites, tupperware, and playground equipment.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is found in flexible dolls and toys. It’s “3″ and can be recycled into pipes, fencing, and bottles that won’t hold food.

LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is “4″ and can be made into bags, bottles, tubing, or lab equipment.

PP (polypropylene) is “5″ and can be used for car parts;

PS (polystyrene) “6″ can be made into Styrofoam, or harder objects like cafeteria trays or videocassettes.

And then there are the category “7″ plastics, which include everything else (acrylic, nylon, fiberglass.) These plastics have no recycle value at this time.

New ways of recycling plastics are being worked out, however. Heat compression is a method whereby all types of plastic can be melted together and pumped into molds, but takes a lot of energy to do it, so the cost-benefit ratio may not be as great as we would hope. Alternatives to petroleum-based plastics include sugar and starch-based types that are still experimental.

Ohio State University published a discussion about what it means to be an environmentally conscious consumer. This line jumped out:

It has been estimated that the United States generated 195,000,000 tons of waste in 1990.

Of that waste, only 15% was recycled, leaving 165,750,000 tons of natural resources…wasted. When we throw things away, we are wasting natural resources. The stuff we threw away last week wasn’t garbage, it was, in very real terms, resources.

“the ecosystem provides all that is used”

When garbage ends up in landfill it can poison the ground water, and also, through anaerobic decomposition, emits greenhouse gasses comprised of methane and carbon dioxide. Incineration creates ash and releases toxic fumes. Other methods of destroying garbage include composting, (some of which we do ourselves to reduce the amount that has to be done at solid waste management facilities where garbage is sorted into organic and inorganic components) and thermal treatments from which synthetic gas (composed of carbon monoxide and hydrogen) can be derived.

Option 1: Provide vending machines for 5% of FTE building occupants. 5% of the available snacks must have all-natural ingredients.

Option 2: Install no new vending machines. In existing vending machines, 3% of available snacks must be organic and GMO-free.

Option 3: Provide low-salt snacks for 10% of peak building users.

On the bright side, I have to take the exam this month so after December 2008, it will all be over one way or another. Woo hoo!