LEED Rating Systems – QA

This is the minimum density for LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses Option 1 Surrounding Density.

When a LEED reviewer responds to a credit/prerequisite the review will contain comments and technical advice. Technical advice includes things that need to be revised and updated for the credit/prerequisite to be earned. An example might be 'Revise the building operating plan to include all design setpoints for all HVAC equipment throughout the building.' or 'Provide a revised preventive maintenance plan that includes...'.

The LEED boundary is the portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification. For single-building developments, this is the entire project scope and is generally limited to the site boundary. For multiple building developments, the LEED project boundary may be a portion of the development as determined by the project team. (-USGBC)

If a project team needs guidance on an issue before submitting for certification review, the project CIR process is available to them. The project CIR will be determined by a GBCI Certification Reviewer familiar with the project's specific circumstances.

Structures must be permanent, so a temporary classroom would not qualify.

CIRs can be submitted for any prerequisite or credit for the project's rating system.

Occupant Engagement is not part of the BD+C rating systems. Pilot credits are only available to certain rating systems. If the pilot credit you're looking at does not have your rating system listed as applicable, you cannot pursue the pilot credit.

When dealing with an issue not addressed in available LEED guidance material, project teams have the option of submitting a suggested approach during the standard LEED certification process. They will receive a determination in the review comments at the discretion of the reviewer assigned to the project.

Deadline for submitting for review For LEED BD+C and LEED ID+C rating systems, you will need to submit for your construction phase review (preliminary standard review or preliminary construction review) no later than two years after your project is substantially completed (the date on which your building receives a certificate of occupancy or similar official indication that it is fit and ready for use).

SS Credit Rainwater Management has exemplary performance for managing 100% of the rainwater that falls within the project boundary.

Tenant fit-outs are part of the LEED ID+C. FF&E are part of the LEED ID+C rating systems. Furniture is also addressed in LEED BD+C. Core and shell covers the following base building elements: Structure Envelope HVAC System

This is the first place to look for suggestions.

This is an example of looking for new opportunities in the design that support the project goals.

The credit documentation requires describing how the analysis informed the design decisions in the project's OPR and BOD.

See Reasonable Site Boundary in the reference. The only exception to the LEED project boundary of land not owned by the project owner is land that is associated with and supports normal building operations for the LEED project building.

The process of making adaptations to existing ratings systems and their credits provides an efficient and streamlined approach for responding to the particular needs, constraints, and opportunities of different project types.

EQ Credit Low Emitting Materials can earn exemplary performance under both options. 100% of products must meet the requirements.

The team can accept the preliminary review results as final if they are satisfied, submit new or revised documentation, or attempt additional credits before submitting the project for a final review.

Innovation earns up to 4 points. The example earned 1. Pilot credits earn up to 4 points. The example earned 1. Exemplary performance earns up to 2 points. The example achieved 3 credits, but 2 points is the maximum number that can be earned. The maximum for the Innovation credit is 5 points. One additional point can be earned for LEED AP.

The LEED boundary is the portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification. For single-building developments, this is the entire project scope and is generally limited to the site boundary. For multiple building developments, the LEED project boundary may be a portion of the development as determined by the project team. (-USGBC) The LEED boundary is the portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification. For single-building developments, this is the entire project scope and is generally limited to the site boundary

LT Credit Access to Quality Transit can earn exemplary performance for doubling the highest transit service point threshold.

For fundamental commissioning the CxA must have experience working on at least two other projects with similar scopes of work. The owner gets to determine if the experience is similar or not for those two other projects when comparing them to the new project.

Inquiries must request guidance on just one credit or prerequisite (unless there is technical justification to do otherwise) and generally contain one concise question or a set of related questions. Projects spend money on CIRs for prerequisites for the same reason as for credits - to find out if a particular solution qualifies the project for meeting the requirements. The project may meet the requirements of the prerequisite but sometimes submitting a CIR is the only way to find out.

The following credits / prerequisites are specific to Healthcare only. It is important to know which credits/prerequisites are specific to the different rating systems Healthcare: IP Prerequisite Integrative Project Planning and Design SS Credit Places of Respite SS Credit Direct Exterior Access MR Prerequisite PBT Source Reduction - Mercury MR Credit PBT Source Reduction - Mercury MR Credit PBT Source Reduction - Lead, Cadmium, and Copper MR Credit Furniture and Medical Furnishings MR Credit Design for Flexibility Schools: SS Prerequisite Environmental Site Assessment SS Credit Site Master Plan SS Credit Joint Use of Facilities EQ Prerequisite Minimum Acoustic Performance

The following credits / prerequisites are specific to Healthcare only. It is important to know which credits/prerequisites are specific to the different rating systems Healthcare: IP Prerequisite Integrative Project Planning and Design SS Credit Places of Respite SS Credit Direct Exterior Access MR Prerequisite PBT Source Reduction - Mercury MR Credit PBT Source Reduction - Mercury MR Credit PBT Source Reduction - Lead, Cadmium, and Copper MR Credit Furniture and Medical Furnishings MR Credit Design for Flexibility Schools: SS Prerequisite Environmental site assessment SS Credit Site Master Plan SS Credit Joint Use of Facilities EQ Prerequisite Minimum acoustic performance

LEED has a 40/60 rule to help project teams decide on a rating system:  If a particular rating system is appropriate for 40% or less of a LEED project building or space, then that rating system should not be used.  If a particular rating system is appropriate for 60% or more of a LEED project building or space, then that rating system should be used.  Project teams with buildings and spaces that do not fall into the scenarios described in a) and b) must independently assess their situation and decide which rating system is most applicable.

EQ Credit Quality Views can earn exemplary performance by providing views for 90% of all regularly occupied areas.

Off-site amenities or shared facilities off site are special considerations, since they fall outside of the LEED project boundary.

Project teams must follow Addenda published prior to their project's registration date. It's strongly recommended that project teams also follow Addenda published after their registration date. In this scenario the project must follow addenda prior to January 2013 and can choose to follow any addenda released after the project is registered.

Green housekeeping is considered innovation for BD+C projects. Note the difference in the Innovation credit for 'exemplary' performance, and those for 'innovative' performance.

This earns exemplary performance for Option 1 transparency.

Runoff volumes can be reduced by consolidating the building footprint and designing the building with underground parking. This strategy also reduces heat island effects. Changing the building footprint and where parking is located does not necessarily mean that total parking capacity will change.

A green education program is one of the more common innovation strategies.

The requirements are to reduce at least 3 impact categories by 10% and not increase any category by 5%. The LCA narrative will include a table listing each impact category and the values from the LCA.

Sensitive Land Protection is not possible because the site is located 40 ft. (12 meters) from the lake. The credit states that you cannot build on undeveloped land within 100 ft. (30 meters) from a water body. The site is a greenfield but the project team can still limit site disturbance to earn SS Credit Site Development-Protect or Restore Habitat.

This path is meant to provide assistance with existing LEED guidance or processes.

This is the 3rd MPR the project would need to meet.

The three basic criteria for achieving an IN credit for a category not found in the LEED rating system are as folows: Quantitative. This means the concept must have measurable/quantifiable environmental benefits. Establish a baseline and compare it with the final outcome to determine the improvement. How much environmental benefit did the strategy achieve? Comprehensive. The process or specification must be comprehensive. For example, if a new material could be used in every floor of a building, the project team can't use it in just one floor. A process that only addresses a part of the project isn't considered comprehensive and does not meet the credit requirements. Transferrable. The concept must be able to be used on other projects by other project teams. It can't be a concept that only applies to a unique aspect of one project. The IN point for a composting program would only be allowed if all building occupants would have access to the program. For example, a project team can't say that they are limiting a program to the occupants on floors 1-5 and that occupants on floors 6-10 can't participate because there isn't enough space for all the compost.

Proofreading, checking numerical values for consistency across credits, and checking the application for completeness all cuts down on errors and additional expenses.

There are exemptions from uplight and light trespass requirements. Check the rating system requirements for the complete list of exempt lighting.

Land cannot be excluded for the purposes of complying with a credit/prerequisite. This is known as gerrymandering.

For exceptional performance, doubling the requirements or meeting the next incremental percentage threshold can earn an IN credit.

The project boundary is the platted property line of the project defining land and water within it. (-USGBC) While you may have a different definition of some terms the LEED exams test on the USGBC definitions, not on personal experience or beliefs. Therefore the practice tests include the definitions from USGBC.