Leed Certification Guidebook 000

7/29/2019 Leed Certification Guidebook 000

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Government o the District o ColumbiaAdrian M. Fenty, Mayor

Ofce o Property ManagementRobin-Eve Jasper, DirectorGerick T. Smith, Deputy Director of Construction Division

Published October 2008

Process Management Guidebook orProjects in the District o Columbia


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PORTFOLIO: Strategically managing the Districts owned and leasedreal estate assets in support o DC agency clients and DCresidents.

FACILITIES: Providing clean and welcoming environments or Districtagency workers and residents doing business with the DCgovernment.

CONSTRUCTION: Building and repairing capital acilities to meet theDistricts needs.

PROTECTIVE Creating an atmosphere o saety in District agencySERVICES: acilities or all government employees and residents.


3/71LEED Certifcation Guidebook | Message rom the Mayor


4/71LEED Certifcation | Chapter Title Here

Purpose

This Guidebook was commissioned by the District o Columbia Oce o Property Management (OPM) in order toassist OPMs Project Managers as well as external Architecture and Engineering service providers and Contractorswith achieving LEED Certication as required by the District o Columbia Green Building Act. It is intended to provideguidance, to acilitate the LEED process and to assist project teams in making sound economic and environmentaldecisions or LEED projects. It is not intended to replace the LEED Reerence Guides, which are all essential toolswhen designing and building a project under the LEED Rating System, nor is it intended to replace the services o a

sustainable design consultant, should the project scope or complexity benet rom outside expertise. This Guidebookis intended to provide greater insight into the LEED process specically or projects located in the District o Columbia.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Rating System was developed by the United States GreenBuilding Council (USGBC) and the term LEED is trademarked. It should not be used to describe projects that are notRegistered with the USGBC, Certied by the USGBC or not intending to pursue LEED Certication. All LEED-relatedmaterials, such as the LEED Reerence Guides, are copyrighted and should not be copied or distributed withoutpermission rom the USGBC.

At the time o publication o this Guidebook, the LEED Rating Systems reerred to are: LEEDforNewConstructionandMajorRenovationsv2.2 LEEDforCommercialInteriorsv2.0 LEEDforCoreandShellv2.0 LEEDforExistingBuildings:OperationsandMaintenance LEEDforSchools LEEDforHomes

CurrentLEEDRatingSystemswillbeupdatedin2009.AllprojectsregisteredforLEEDwiththeUSGBCbeforeupdated Ratings Systems are released will still be using the Rating Systems listed above, and thereore this Guidebook.

Acknowledgements

This Guidebook was created by Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum Architects (HOK) in Washington, DC. The Guidebookwas written in conjunction with the design and implementation o sustainable strategies on the Consolidated Forensic

Labproject,aLEEDRegisteredprojectmanagedbytheDCOfceofPropertyManagement.2008HOK

Authors and contributors include:

Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum Architects (HOK)

Anica Landreneau, LEED-AP, Alesia Call, LEED-AP, Leigh Stringer, LEED-AP, Jodi Williams, LEED-AP, Todd Pedersen,LEED-AP,MeganBarker,LEED-AP,DanielleCaylor,NiallCytryn,LEED-AP

Graphics: Jim Doussard, Jerey Wotowiec, Kerry Aucamp

Special Thanks to:Mary Ann Lazarus, LEED-AP, Sara Graham, LEED-AP, Deborah Fuller, LEED-AP, Barb Ciesla, LEED-AP, Keith MacDonald,

LEED-AP,DeborahRutherford,LEED-AP,LoriSelcer,LEED-AP,PeggyChu,LEED-AP,JoeYang,LEED-AP,DoraNg,LEED-AP, May Xu, LEED-AP

Institute or Market Transormation (IMT)

Cli Majersik, LEED-AP

District o Columbia Ofce o Property Management (OPM)

Gerick Smith, Ajay Kapoor, Thom Ennen, Curtis Clay, Brian Hanlon, Allam Al-Alami, Susan Riley, Daphne Hawkins,Mark Chambers, LEED-AP

LEED Certifcation Guidebook | Acknowledgements



Table o Contents

1. Introduction ................................................................................................................6

2. DC Green Building Act 2006 & DC Clean and Aordable Energy Act 2008

High Perormance Building Standards in the District o Columbia...................................7

3. DC Green Building Code Updates

Code changes that align with sustainable design and LEED criteria ..............................10

4. LEED Rating System Overview ................................................................................14

5. The Cost o LEED ......................................................................................................17

6. Managing LEED Certifcation by Project Phase

LEED Implementation Strategy by Project Phase; useul or Project Managers ...............20

7. LEED Project Management Matrix

Quick Reerence or LEED Milestones and Responsibilities; includes design

verifcation submittal requirements to DCRA to obtain building permit....................... 29

8. Steps to LEED Certifcation

Detailed LEED Process Inormation: when & how to Interact

with the USGBC and LEED Online; useul or LEED coordinators...................................30

9. Specifcation Guidance

How to incorporate LEED Progress Reporting and Documentation Requirements

into Contract Documents; useul or Owners and Specifcation Writers ........................49

10. LEED General Resources...........................................................................................66

11. Glossary.....................................................................................................................68

Supplemental documents currently available in addition to this Guidebook:

A. LEED For New Constructions & Major Renovations v2.2 (LEED-NC)

Useul or Project design teams and contractors

B. LEED For Commercial Interiors v2.0 (LEED-CI)

Useul or Project design teams and contractors

C. OPM LEED PoliciesUseul or all projects under LEED-NC, LEED-CI, LEED-EB, etc.

LEED Certifcation Guidebook | Table o Contents



10,000squarefeetormoremustbebenchmarkedandreportedbeginningin2009andcommercialpropertiesof200,000squarefeetormoremustbebenchmarkedandreportedbeginningin2010.Forcommercial properties, the threshold will lower annuallyby50,000squarefeetuntil2013,whenpropertiesat50,000squarefeetormoremustbebenchmarkedandreported.

Enorcement o high perormance building standardsin the Green Building Act is the responsibility o theDistrict Department o Consumer and RegulatoryAairs (DCRA), who will require compliance vericationbeore issuing building construction permits.

Enorcement o the Energy Star benchmarking andreporting is the responsibility o the District Departmento the Environment (DDOE). Relevant details otheGreenBuildingActof2006andtheCleanandAffordableEnergyActof2008areexplainedinmoredetail in the next chapter.

The District o Columbia has set the national standardor State action on reducing greenhouse emissions and

improving the energy eciency o publicly and privatelysponsored new building construction and majorrenovations.

This Guidebook and supplementary manuals werecommissioned by the District Oce o PropertyManagement (OPM), Construction Division, to ortiypublic project managers and A/E service providers withthe practical tools to ensure that their projects reachthe goals set by the District.

Setting the national standard or high perormancebuildings, the District o Columbia, under the leadershipo Mayor Adrian Fenty and the District Council, passedthe Green Building Act 2006. This legislation isinnovative in its combined mandated and incentivizedapproach to green building, as well as its inclusion oboth publicly and privately unded construction andmajor renovation projects. Under the Act, publiclyowned, unded or nanced projects are required toachieve sustainable building standards in the LEEDand Green Communities rating systems (though many

jurisdictions already require LEEDin the public sector).In addition, the Act requires LEEDCertication orprivatelyfundedconstructionprojects,startingin2012.DC was the rst jurisdiction to enact legislation thatmandates LEED Certication in the private sector andquickly inspired similar legislation in other jurisdictions.

Beyond requiring compliance with LEED and GreenCommunities, the Green Building Act also requires theestablishment o a green building incentives program,a Green Building Fund to support incentive programs,a greening o DC building codes, a Green BuildingAdvisory Council and the priority leasing o green

buildings by the Oce o Property Management (OPM).

AugmentingtheGreenBuildingActof2006,theDistrict o Columbia once again set the nationalstandard or high perormance buildings by passingthe Clean and Aordable Energy Act 2008. Amongother requirements, the recently passed Act requiresannual energy perormance reporting using the U.S.Department o Energys ree, online Energy Star TargetFinder reporting tool. Publicly owned buildings o

LEED Certifcation Guidebook | Introduction


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High Perormance Building Standards in the District o Columbia

LEED Certifcation Guidebook | Green Building Act & Clean and AordableEnergy Act

1. Summary o Mandatory High PerormanceBuilding Standards

A.Effectivein2008:

i. All publicly unded, nanced or owned non-residential buildings seeking a constructionpermit* must achieve certication under oneo the rating systems below:

a. LEEDforNewConstruction&MajorRenovationsv2.2,Silverlevelorhigher

b. LEEDforCore&Shellv2.0,Silverlevelorhigher

c. LEEDforSchools(K-12),Certiedlevelorhigher

ii. All publicly unded, nanced or ownedresidentialbuildingsof10,000squarefeetormore seeking a construction permit* mustachieve certication under one o the ratingsystems below:

a. GreenCommunities2006

b. LEED or Homes, Silver level or higherc. LEEDforNewConstructionorMajorRenovationsv2.2,Silverlevelorhigher

iii. All tenant improvementsof30,000squareeet or more in a District-owned buildingseeking a construction permit* must achievecertication under the rating system below:

a. LEEDforCommercialInteriorsv2.0,Certied level or higher

B. Effectivein2009:

i. AllexistingDistrictownedpropertyof10,000square eet or more must be benchmarkedannually using the Energy Star Target Findertool, and scores must be reported to theDistrict Department o the Environment (DDOE)

ii. All privately owned building projects o50,000squarefeetormoreseekingaconstruction permit* rom the DistrictDepartment o Consumer and Regulatory

Aairs (DCRA) must submit a LEED Scorecardwith the construction permit application

C.Effectivein2010:

i. All properties purchased rom the District(or acquired in a transaction where theDistrict was an instrument o sale) seeking aconstruction permit* must achieve certicationunder one o the rating systems below:

a. LEEDforNewConstruction&MajorRenovationsv2.2,Certiedlevelorhigher

b. LEEDforCore&Shellv2.0,Certiedlevelor higher

ii. Allexistingcommercialpropertiesof200,000square eet or more must be benchmarkedannually using the Energy Star Target Findertool, and scores must reported to the DistrictDepartment o the Environment (DDOE)

D.Effectivein2011:

i. Allexistingcommercialpropertiesof150,000square eet or more must be benchmarkedannually using the Energy Star Target Findertool, and scores must reported to the DistrictDepartment o the Environment (DDOE)

E. Effectivein2012:

i. All privately owned, non-residential buildingsof50,000squarefeetormoreseekingaconstruction permit* must achieve certicationunder one o the rating systems below:



c. LEEDforSchools(K-12),Certiedlevelorhigher

ii. Allexistingcommercialpropertiesof100,000square eet or more must be benchmarkedannually using the Energy Star Target Findertool, and scores must reported to the DistrictDepartment o the Environment (DDOE)



F. Effectivein2013:i. Allexistingcommercialpropertiesof50,000

square eet or more must be benchmarkedannually using the Energy Star Target Findertool, and scores must reported to the DistrictDepartment o the Environment (DDOE)

* Construction Permit related LEED Certifcation

requirements are applicable to all new constructionand substantial improvement projects. Substantialimprovement is defned as any scope o work wherethe cost o improvements is 50% or more o themarket value o the property prior to its improvements.

2. Summary o Expedited Permitting, as part othe Green Building Incentives Program

A.Effectivein2009:

i. All privately owned, non-residential buildingsseeking Expedited Permitting rom theDistrict Department o Consumer andRegulatory Aairs (DCRA) must achieve LEEDCertication under one o the rating systemsbelow:



c. LEED or Commercial Interiors, Certiedlevel or higher

d. LEED or Schools, Certied Level or higher

ii. All privately owned, residential buildingsseeking Expedited Permitting rom theDistrict Department o Consumer andRegulatory Aairs (DCRA) must achieve LEEDCertication under one o the rating systemsbelow:



c. LEED or Homes, Certied level or higherd. GreenCommunities2006

B. Effectivein2012

i. All privately owned, non-residential buildingsseeking Expedited Permitting rom theDistrict Department o Consumer andRegulatory Aairs (DCRA) must achieve LEEDCertication under one o the rating systemsbelow:



c. LEED or Commercial Interiors, Silver levelor higher

d. LEEDforSchools(K-12),Silverlevelorhigher

ii. All privately owned, residential buildingsseeking Expedited Permitting rom theDistrict Department o Consumer andRegulatory Aairs (DCRA) must achieve LEEDCertication under one o the rating systemsbelow:



c. LEED or Homes, Silver level or higherd. GreenCommunities2006




Compliance verication documents to be submitted to DCRA or mandated or expedited green building projects;all phases must be completed beore a permit will be issued.

NonResidential,PublicallyOwned,Financedor

FundedProjects/PrivatelyFundedProjects

(Expedited)

SubjecttoLEEDCertificationRequirements

Residential,PublicallyOwned,Financedor

FundedProjects

SubjecttoGreenCommunitiesRequirementsDCRARequirements DocumentstobesubmittedtoDCRA DocumentstobesubmittedtoDCRA

1.Registration 1.

Receipt

from

USGBC

for

LEED

Project

Registration 1.

Proof

of

Green

Communities

Registration

(optional,

for

projectsseekinggrants)

2.IntegratedSustainableDesign

Charrette(alldisciplines)

2.CharretteAgenda,SigninSheet,MeetingMinutes

3.PreliminarySustainable

DesignStrategyEvaluation

3.PreliminaryLEEDScorecard

4.PublicAgencyEngagement 4.Meetingscheduleandparticipantlistforregular

meetingswithrelevantagency(ies).

(e.g.OPM,OPEFM,DCPR,etc.)

4.Meetingscheduleandparticipantlistforregular

meetingswithrelevantagency(ies).

(e.g.DCHA,DMPED,DHCD,HFA,etc.)

5a.UpdatedLEEDScorecard 5a.UpdatedGreenCommunitiesChecklistform.

5b.PreliminarySustainableApproachNarrative(13

pages)

5b.PreliminaryGreenCommunitiesProgressReport.

5c.Schematicdrawings(siteplan,plan,sections,

elevations)indicatingintegrationofLEEDcompliant

strategies

5c.Schematicdrawings(siteplan,plan,sections,

elevations)indicatingintegrationofGreenCommunities

compliantstrategies

6a.FinalLEEDScorecard 6a.FinalGreenCommunitiesChecklistForm

6b.FinalSustainableApproachNarrative(13pages) 6b.UpdatedGreenCommunitiesProgressReport.

7a.RevisedprojectdrawingsdemonstratingLEED

requirementsareintegratedintoprojectdesign

7a.RevisedprojectdrawingsdemonstratingGreen

Communitiesrequirementsareintegratedintoproject

design.

7b.CompletedLEEDLetterTemplatesforevery

PrerequisiteandCreditthatwillbeattempted(andare

listedonthescorecard8.SustainableDesign

Verification

8.ReceiptforsubmittalofDesignPhaseReview

DocumentstotheUSGBC

95%9.SustainableDesign

Verification

9.PreliminaryDesignPhaseReview,issuedbyUSGBCOR

DCRALEEDScorecardindexedtosupportingplans,

specificationsandadditionaldocumentsdemonstrating

compliancewithLEEDcriteria

9.DCRAGreenCommunitiesChecklistForm,indexedto

supportingplans,specificationsandadditional

documentsdemonstratingcompliancewithGreen

Communitiescriteria.

100%10.SustainableDesign

Verification

10.FinalDesignPhaseReview,issuedbyUSGBC 10.DCRAapprovedGreenCommunitiesChecklistForm

andFinalGreenCommunitiesProgressReport.

RecommendedOwner

Requirements

RecommendedDocumentstobesubmittedtoOwnerby

theGeneralContractor

11a.CopyofLEEDAPCertificateforGeneralContractor's

onsiteLEEDdocumentationcoordinator11b.LEEDKickoffmeeting(agenda,signinsheet)

11c.ConstructionWasteManagementPlan

11d.IndoorAirQualityManagementPlan

Monthly12.ConstructionPhase

ComplianceVerification

12.GeneralContractor'sLEEDdocumentationwith

signed,completedcoversheet

OPM/DCRA/DDOE

RequirementsDocumentstobesubmittedtoOPM,DCRA&DDOE DocumentstobesubmittedtoDCRA&DDOE

13a.ConstructionPhaseReview,issuedbyUSGBC

13b.FinalLEEDCertificationAward,issuedbyUSGBC

2/3.PreliminaryGreenCommunitiesChecklistform(This

documentcontainstwotabs;thefirsttabincludes

documentationofanintegrateddesignprocessandthe

secondtabidentifieshowtheprojectwillmeetthe

criteria).

TemporaryCertificateofOccupancyisIssued

13.Final,approvedGreenCommunitiescompliance

workbook(alldisciplines).

65%

5.DesignInvestigationand

StrategyDevelopment

0%within60daysofaward

35%

PreDevelopmentReviewMeetingwithDCRA

CompleteProjectPermitSetisSubmitted

6.ConfirmedSustainableDesign

Strategy

7.SuccessfulSustainableDesign

Integration

InformationSessionwithDCRA

PreDevelopmentReviewMeetingwithDCRA

FinalCertificateofOccupancyisIssued;BondisReturned(forExpeditedProjects)

Completion

11.Construction

Phase


Within60days

ofContract

Award

13.SustainableConstruction

Verification



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Code Changes that Align with LEED Criteria

LEED Certifcation Guidebook | DC Green Building Code Updates

The new building code will become mandatoryDecemberof2009.Buildingdesignerswillbeabletochoose to use either DCs new or old building codes orbuilding permit applications submitted during the oneyear transition period ollowing the new codesadoption.

As o December, 2009, all permit applications will besubject to new code requirements.

1. Proposed code changes reduce codeimpediments to green building

The proposed codes permit (without need or a waiver)the ollowing green building practices or which awaiver is required under the current codes:

1. Waterless urinals 2. Polypropylenepipes

3. Base outside air ventilation rates on actual indoorair quality measurements (i.e. use o carbondioxide monitoring) or sophisticated models thataccount or occupancy, ltering and o-gassing.

The proposed codes also make it easier to disconnectdownspouts to enable on-site retention o stormwaterby removing the requirement or a master plumber.

In act, building codes in DC and across the US alreadypermit most green building materials and practices.Unortunately, the building permitting process has longcreated impediments to green building. Most o theseimpediments were not due to the codes themselves,but to a lack o amiliarity with green building on thepart o some code ocials, designers, trades people,builders, and others who believed that certain greenbuilding practices and materials were not permitted by

building codes or who eared that inclusion o greenbuilding elements would delay the permitting process.4

DC Government projects are subject to the same DCbuilding code requirements as all other projects in DC.1

DC is in the process o updating its building codes orthersttimesince2003.Aswithcodesalreadyinplacein many jurisdictions (including Maryland and Virginia),DCs new codes will be based on the International CodeCouncils2006familyofInternationalBuildingCodes(the2006I-codes)withlocalamendments.TheDC-specic amendments are titled the DC ConstructionCodeSupplementOf2008andarecontainedinDCMR12.

DCs Green Building Act (GBA) requires the Mayor tosubmit to the Council or approval construction coderevisions that shall incorporate as many green buildingpractices as practicable

Mayor Fenty has been a leader2inpushingfora30%improvement in building energy codes. The proposedcodes require that low-rise residential buildings be30%moreenergyefcientthanpermittedbythe2006I-codes and will likely require the same or all otherbuildings.3

A package o green building code amendmentsbased on best practices rom around the countrywas developed or DC in a process led by the DistrictDepartment o the Environment (DDOE), its contractors,the Green Building Advisory Council (GBAC),Department o Consumer and Regulatory Aairs(DCRA) and a wide group o stakeholders includingthe Oce o Property Management (OPM), developers,builders, architects, and engineers. DCRA included mosto the package in its proposed DC Construction CodeSupplementof2008submittedtotheCityCouncilinJune2008.CouncilmemberMaryChehchairsthe

relevant committee othe DC Council. On July 11,Councilmember Chehs Committee reported the codesup to the ull DC Council. The codes were passed inDecember2008.

1 To be eligible or expediting permitting as authorized by the Green Building Act (GBA) projects which the GBA already requires to achieve LEED Certication mustachieve a higher LEED level (i.e. Silver, Gold or Platinum) than the level required or private projects.2www.ddoe.dc.gov/ddoe/cwp/view,a,11,q,497577,ddoeNav_GID,1458.asp3 See www.imt.org/codes/ or updates.4 For instance, some incorrectly believed that codes prohibit piping o rainwater or greywater into a building, when in act such piping is permitted or fushing toiletsand irrigation so long as precautions like backfow preventers are employed to prevent mixing with upstream potable water.



Fortunately, the design and construction communities are rapidly embracing green building. DCRA is committed toproviding education and training to its plan reviewers and inspectors on green building practices. Though there ismuch work to do, DCRA has already made great progress. For instance, DCRA quickly and routinely grants waiversforwaterlessurinalsandoneparticularLEEDplatinumprojectreceivedpermitsinlessthan30daysfarfasterthantraditional projects, which is was great advantage or the builder.

2. Proposed DC codes Green Building Requirements

The proposed codes mandate these new green building practices:

A. Water EfciencyImprove water eciency by requiring low-fow plumbing xtures. Faucets, fush xtures and shower xtureswill contribute to one or more LEED water eciency Credits through a combination o uses. Use o all requiredxturesshouldapproximate40%watersavingsfromtheLEEDbaseline(EnergyPolicyActof1992),or3CreditsinLEED-NCv2.2.

NewDClow-owplumbingrequirementssummary:

PLUMBING FIXTURE OR FIXTURE FITTING MAXIMUM FLOW RATE OR QUANTITY

Lavatory, private 1.5gpmat60psiLavatory, public, (metering) 0.25gallonpermeteringcycle

Lavatory, public (other than metering) 0.5gpmat60psi

Showerhead 2.0gpmat80psi

Sink aucet 2.2gpmat60psi

Urinal 0.5gallonperushingcycle

Water closet 1.28gallonsperushingcycleORDual fush valve at 1.6/1.1gallons per fush


B. Cool Roos75%ormoreoftheareaofatroofsmustbecoolroofs,lime-stoneballastedorgreenroofs.5 These roos areeligible or the LEED Sustainable Sites Credit Urban Heat Island, Roo. Green roos are eligible or severaladditional LEED Sustainable Sites Credits including Stormwater Design, Quantity Control; StormwaterDesign, Quality Control; Site Development, Protect & Restore Habitat; Site Development, Maximize OpenSpace; and through selective use o vegetation materials, may also contribute to Water Eciency Credits.

SECTION 1511A COOL ROOF REQUIREMENTSRoofcoveringsforroofslopeslessthanorequaltotwounitsverticalin12unitshorizontal(17-percentslopeorless)forbuildingsandcoveredparkingshallconformtothethissection.Aminimumof75%oftheentireroofsurace not used or roo penetrations, renewable energy power systems (e.g. photovoltaics or solar thermalcollectors), harvesting systems or rainwater to be used on-site, or green roong systems shall be covered withproducts that comply with one or more o the ollowing:

(a) Have a minimum initial SRI6of78.(b) ComplywiththecriteriafortheU.S.EPAsEnergyStarProgramRequirementsforRoofProductsEligibility

Criteria.

5www.imt.org/codes/codes.doc6SolarReectiveIndex.Thesolarreectiveindex(SRI)shallbecalculatedinaccordancewithASTME1980formedium-speedwindconditions.TheSRIshallbebaseduponsolarreectanceasmeasuredinaccordancewithASTME1918orASTMC1549,andthethermalemittanceasmeasuredinaccordancewithASTME408orASTMC1371.Forroongproducts,thevaluesforsolarreectanceandthermalemittanceshallbedeterminedbyalaboratory accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation organization, such as the Cool Roo Rating Council CRRC-1 Product Rating Program,and shall be labeled and certied by the manuacturer.


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C. Ventilation and Exhaust

Prohibit recirculation o air vented rom bathroomsand kitchens.

D. Energy Efciency

Commercial buildings will need to meet ASHRAE

90.1asdemonstratedbyenergymodelingorachieving advanced prescriptive energy eciencyguidelines.

Meeting new higher DC energy code requirementswillhelptoearnpointsunderLEED-NCv2.2Energy and Atmosphere Credit 1: Optimize EnergyPerormance.

Buildings whose energy models demonstrate at least28%greaterenergyefciencythanASHRAE90.12004areeligiblefor6 LEED points under Energy andAtmosphere Credit 1: Optimize Energy Perormance;achieving31.5%betterthanASHRAE90.12004iseligible or 7 LEED points under the same Credit.

As an alternative to energy modeling, the proposedcodes give several prescriptive alternatives. Theseare acceptable or LEED Prerequisite compliance andLEED Credits, where applicable, and are availableonline: Buildingslessthan100,000squarefeet

shall have the alternative option to meet therequirements o the NewBuildingInstituteCorePerormance Guide.

Ofcebuildingslessthan20,000squarefeetshall have the alternative option to meet therequirements o the ASHRAE Advanced EnergyDesignGuideforSmallOfceBuildings(30%).FREE: www.ashrae.org/aedg

Retailbuildingslessthan20,000squarefeetshall have the alternative option to meet therequirements o the ASHRAE Advanced EnergyDesignGuideforSmallRetailBuilding(30%).FREE: www.ashrae.org/aedg

K-12Schoolsshallhavethealternativeoptiontomeet the requirements o the ASHRAE AdvancedEnergyDesignGuideforK-12SchoolBuildings(30%). FREE: www.ashrae.org/aedg

WarehousesandSelfStoragebuildingslessthan50,000squarefeetshallhavethealternativeoption to meet the requirements o The ASHRAE30%AdvancedEnergyDesignGuideforSmallWarehouses and Sel Storage Buildings.FREE: www.ashrae.org/aedg


Exceptions to cool roo requirements:

1. Building projects where an annual energy analysissimulation demonstrates that the total annualbuildingenergycostandtotalannualCO2e,ascalculated in accordance with ASHRAE Standard189.17.5.2and7.5.3,areboth2%lessfortheproposed roo than with a roo with an initial SRI

of78.

2. Roofsusedtoshadeorcoverparkingandroos over semi-heated spaces or used as outdoorrecreation space by the occupants o the buildingshall be permitted to be either landscaped or havea minimum initial SRIof29.AdefaultSRIvalue o35 or new concrete without added color pigmentis allowed to be used in lieu o measurements.

3. Terracesonsetbackscomprisinglessthan25%ofthe area o the largest foor plate in the building.

4. Roos ballasted at a minimum weight o 17pounds per square oot with limestone or aballastwithasolarreectanceofatleast30%shall be permitted to comprise part or all o the75%requiredareacoverage.

5. Green roos shall be permitted to comprise partor all o the 75 percent required area coverage.


13/71LEED Certifcation Guidebook | DC Green Building Code Updates

Benchmarking DCs New Building Codes

TheArchitecture2030Challengecallsforanimmediate50%reductioninthefossilfuelconsumptionofnewbuildings, compared with a baseline drawn rom the2003CommercialBuildingEnergyConsumptionSurvey(CBECS) or commercial buildings and ResidentialEnergy Consumption Survey (RECS) or residentialbuildings.

Thechartaboveshowsthealignmentofa50%reduction with the ASHRAE standards reerenced inboth LEED and DC building codes. For example, newbuildingsseekingCerticationunderLEED-NCv2.2mustcomein30%belowtheASHRAE90.1-2004standardtomeettheArchitecture2030Challenge.Aproject achieving this reduction will be compliant withDCs updated energy perormance requirements andwill also earn 6 points in Energy & Atmosphere Credit1:OptimizeEnergyPerformance,intheLEED-NCv2.2rating system.

DC Building code updates that would mandatecompliancewiththeASHRAE90.1-2007standardforenergy eciency are currently under evaluation bythe District Council. This standard will also meet theArchitecture2030goalsforimmediatereductionof50%.

ReadabouttheArchitecture2030Challengehere:www.architecture2030.org

U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, signed byWashington, DC Mayor Adrian Fenty: www.usmayors.org/climateprotection/agreement.htm


14/71LEED Certifcation Guidebook | LEED Rating System Overview

Understanding Challenges and Opportunities withUsing LEED in the District o Columbia

The LEED Rating Systems are intended to bechallenging in order to advance better design andconstruction practices. The Rating Systems areperiodically updated to raise the bar as the industrycatches up to these practices and as environmentalchallenges continue to grow. Although LEEDCertication is not intended to be easy, it is also notintended to be prohibitive, costly or to be impossibleto achieve. Design and construction teams will haveto work harder to create better buildings and must bewilling to try new materials, products and methods.LEED is readily achievable when teams initiate thediscussion early, establish clear goals and organize theproject in accordance with the LEED process.The District o Columbia is well located to benetrom many green building resources, rom products toservices. By being an early adopter, DC has grown awealth o proessional services and construction rmsthat are savvy to green building practices. These skills,in addition to other local resources, are available to your

LEED project. In addition, LEED rewards density, urbaninll and re-development projects, which are all typicalproject attributes in the District. By nature o location,DC projects have access to numerous strategies andLEED Credits at little to no cost. It is entirely reasonableto pursue and achieve LEED Silver or a higher level oCertication in the District.

Furthermore, DC building codes have been recentlyupdated to require many measures that inherentlymeet or exceed LEED requirements. Thereore a legallycompliant project will automatically meet many LEEDcriteria, though proper documentation will still be

required to achieve LEED Credits and Prerequisites, andultimately Certication. DC building code changes aresummarized in the DC Green Building Code Updateschapter and will be correlated in relevant chaptersthroughout the Guidebook.

Note:ThroughoutthisGuidebook,termsinBOLD willbe dened in context as well as in the Glossary.

How was LEED created?

Many LEED-novices are under the impression that theUSGBC is a government agency. This is not correct.The USGBC is a non-prot organization dedicatedto encouraging healthier buildings and advancingthe sustainable building industry. It is a good ideato visit the USGBC website (www.usgbc.org) to getthe ull story, however it is important to understandthat the LEED Rating Systems were all developedby proessionals like you: Architects, Engineers,Developers, Contractors, Owners, Designers, ProductManuacturers, etc. It was designed by your peers -who do understand the diculties o adopting newpracticestobechallenging,butfairandpractical.Each section in the LEED Rating Systems was developedand is maintained by Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs)that are comprised o USGBC members. Improvementsare made periodically and new releases o the RatingSystems are posted in drat orm on the USGBC websitewith public comment periods open to everyone.Comments are reviewed and responded to by the TAGs.NewversionsoftheLEEDRatingSystemsareonlyreleased ater USGBC members vote on it. Essentially,

your peers developed it and continue to improve uponit, with the help o LEED stakeholders like you.


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How does the LEED Rating System work?

There are many rumors and myths about LEED. Forexample, critics oten suggest that it is too dicult,it reduces sustainable design to mere checklists, it isoverly structured and it is too limiting o creativity. Thisis not the case!

First, there are many benets to LEED, which is why itis required and incentivized by the District and many

jurisdictions, nationaly and globally. LEED oers truethird-party verication o design and construction. Inthe absence o LEED, a project team designs a greenbuilding and a construction company builds it. Thepublic and most importantly, the Owner, have no wayo knowing i a project has been green-washed ori it is truly a sustainable project. Without measuringperormance against some baseline and withoutclear metrics, how can we identiy which projects aregreen, or answer the question, how green is it?Without verication, an Owner has no way o reallyknowing i they are truly getting the high-perormancebuilding that they have invested in. LEED brings valueto sustainable and green building in a many ways. Inparticular, LEED:

Createsmarketdemand,increasingavailabilityo products, materials, technologies and laborwhile bringing costs down

Createsacommonlanguagetofacilitatethediscussion around sustainable building

Createscommonmetricssothatperformancecan be measured and veried

Createsclearperformancethresholdssothatprojects can pursue environmental goals andlevels o LEED Certication appropriate or theproject budget, schedule and program

Veriesdesignandconstructionpracticeswiththird party reviews

Second, LEED is actually quite fexible i projectteams understand how it works. The Rating

System is comprised o a set o Prerequisites andCredits, organized into specic categories. While allPrerequisites must be achieved or a project to beeligible or LEED Certication, not all Credits have tobe attained. It is important that project teams identiythose Credits that make the most sense or a specicproject. It is okay to opt not to pursue certain Credits ithey are not practical or the project budget, scheduleor program.

Every Prerequisite and Credit has an intent. Typicallythere are multiple paths towards achievement calledcompliance paths. The intent is very important,because sometimes a projects unique circumstancesmake it seem as though the project is not eligible or aLEED Credit.

Project teams may be able to develop an alternative

compliance path that is not described in the LEEDRating System, however it may meet the intent othe Credit nonetheless. I this is the case, there areopportunities to be creative within the LEED process.When project teams are in this situation, there isan avenue to pursue a Credit under an alternativeapproach: Credit Interpretation Requests (CIRs) andRulings. The project team bears the burden o prooand must make a legitimate case that the proposedalternative compliance path meets the intent andshows clear and quantiable environmental benet.There are instructions or the Credit InterpretationRequest process on the USGBC website (www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=168&).

Third, LEED is not intended to be the beginning or theend o sustainable design. It is not intended to limit theprogress o greener design or to represent all acets osustainability. It is intended to provide a manageableramework that helps bring the building industryorward and improves baseline building practices.Project teams should not eel as though a sustainablestrategy is not worth pursuing just because a LEEDCredit is not awarded or that strategy.

LEED does have limitations, and green strategies thatmake sense or a particular project should be pursuedon their own merit. However, LEED also providesopportunities or Innovation and Design (the lastsection in every LEED Rating System). Although thereare many pre-approved compliance paths or achievingCredits in this section, every project team is encouragedto develop new strategies that can demonstrate clearenvironmental benet. These new strategies can beveried through the CIR process described above, orsubmitted with normal Credit documentation whereeedback and opportunities to rene the approach willbe given.

LEED Certifcation Guidebook | LEED Rating System Overview


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Which LEED Rating System is right or yourproject?

LEEDforNewConstructionandMajorRenovations(LEED-NCv2.2)

Anysize CommercialorMulti-familyResidential Newbuildings,wheremorethan50%ofthe

interior is built out RenovationsinvolvingHVAC,envelope,and/or

major interior rehabilitation Renovationswheremorethan50%of

occupants must relocate Changeinoccupancytype

LEEDforCommercialInteriors(LEED-CI)v2.0 Anysize Newinteriorbuild-outs Majorinteriorrehabilitation Renovationstowholebuildingthatdonot

signicantly address HVAC or envelope Tenantscope

LEEDforCoreandShell(LEED-CS)v2.0 Anysize Newbuildings Speculativeofcebuildings Newbuildings,wherelessthan50%ofthe

interior is built out MajorrenovationtoHVAC,envelope,butnot

interiors

LEED or Schools

K-12educationfacilities(required) Highereducationfacilities(recommended)

LEED or Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance Buildingstwoyearsoldormore Minorrenovations Changesinoperations&maintenancepolicies

LEED or Homes SingleFamilyorMulti-familyResidential Marketrate

LEED Certifcation Guidebook | LEED Rating System Overview


17/71LEED Certifcation Guidebook | The Cost o LEED

The Cost o LEED

The costs to pursue LEED Certication will vary romproject to project. The ollowing inormation providesa summary o current LEED Certication costs, typicalconstruction cost premiums and typical sot costs. Thisis not a guarantee that a specic projects sustainabledesign or construction costs will match those shownhere. This inormation is provided to give guidance anda starting point or project budgeting.

LEED Registration Fees

(All ees are subject to change, per the USGBC, and arenon-reundable)

Project Registration may only be completed online.Please note that Registration is dierent thanCertication. Registration should occur at the beginningo a project and it is a xed ee.

Registration Fees: Members$450.00 Non-Members$600.00

LEED or Existing Buildings:Registration ees are waived orbuildings pursuing LEED-EB i theyhave received LEED CerticationforNewConstruction,CoreandShell, or Schools under the USGBCRating Systems.

LEED Registration and Certifcation Fees

Less than 50,000Square Feet

50,000-500,000Square Feet

More than

500,000 Square

Feet

LEED for: New Construction, Commercial

Interiors, Core and Shell, and SchoolsFixed Rate

Based on

Sq. Ft.Fixed Rate

Design Review

Members $1,250.00

$0.025/

Square

Foot

$12,500.00

Non-Members $1,500.00

$0.03/

Square

Foot

$15,000.00

Construction Review

Members $500.00

$0.01/

SquareFoot

$5,000.00

Non-Members $750.00

$0.015/

Square

Foot

$7,500.00

Combined Design & Construction Review

Members $1,750.00

$0.035/

Square

Foot

$17,500.00


$0.045/

Square

Foot

$22,500.00

LEED for Existing Buildings Fixed RateBased on

Sq. Ft.Fixed Rate

Initial Certification Review

Members $1,250.00

$0.025/

Square

Foot

$12,500.00


$0.03/

Square

Foot

$15,000.00


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LEED Certifcation Fees

Updated inormation is always available on theUSGBCs website: www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=65

Certication is a process that concludes at the endo design and construction phases, when the team

submits all LEED Letter Templates and documentation.This ee is based on square ootage.

LEED or Existing Buildings Recertifcation Fees:ExistingBuildingrecerticationfeesare50%oftheee shown above or EB initial certication. This ee isdue when the customer submits the application orrecertication review.

LEED or Core & Shell Precertifcation FeesFixed Rates:

i) Members$2500.00ii) Non-Members$3500.00

Platinum Certifcation Rebates: Projects that areawarded LEED platinum certication will receive arebate or all certication ees. The rebate applies toprojectsthatcertifyusingLEEDforNewConstruction,LEED or Existing Buildings, LEED or CommercialInteriors, LEED or Core & Shell, or LEED or Schools.Projects that certiy under uture versions o LEED(excluding pilot projects and LEED or Homes projects)will also be eligible.

Registration ees, appeal review ees, and any

additional ees required to expedite LEED certicationwill not be reunded.

Expedited Certifcation: Project teams may seekexpeditedreviewsat$5000perphase(i.e.DesignPhase Review or Construction Phase Review). This isnotguaranteedtheteammustproposeanexpeditedreview timeline (based on the USGBC outline orexpedited reviews) and this ee is charged in addition tonormal certication ees. It is a fat ee.

Hard Costs

ThecostpersquarefootforbuildingsseekingLEED certication alls into the existing range ocosts or buildings o similar program types.7

Theconstructioncostpremiumformostgreenbuildingsfallswithin2%.8 LEED Certied level

projectsincurabout1%costpremium.9 Greenbuildings can achieve LEED Silver (and occasionallyGold)levelsforcostincreaseoflessthan2.5%.10

Newgreenbuildingcostsrangedfrom0.4%reductionto8.1%increasedependantonLEEDlevel achieved. Major renovation costs rangedfrom1.4%to7.8%increase,dependingonLEEDlevel achieved.11

Water Efciency: Water ecient xtures rangefromno-addedcostto$100-200upchargeor ultra low fush and water ree xtures. Byreducing water and sewer costs, these xturesusuallypayforthemselvesin9months-1year.

Green Power: Green-e Certied RenewableEnergy Credits (RECs) can be ound or as littleas$0.05perkWh.Forprojectsthatdonothavedirect access to green power through their localutilities, this is a very aordable option. There isno direct payback, however there are considerableimplications or company image.

Green Building Materials (e.g. recycled content,

regional, rapidly renewable, low-emitting): Thesecan oten be incorporated at zero to minimaladded construction cost, however there may bedocumentationcostsifaprojectpursuesLEED.Noadded Urea-ormaldehyde composite wood andcertied wood are exceptions. These materialsmayincuruptoa10%premiumandcostdepends upon availability.

Increased Ventilation: This adds littleconstruction cost, but can add signicantly to costo operations i natural ventilation or operablewindows are not employed, particularly i the

outside air temperature or humidity is signicantlydierent rom indoor conditions. Increasedoperations costs can be oset by energy recoverysystems.

LEED Certifcation Guidebook | The Cost o LEED

7Langdon,DavisCostingGreen:AComprehensiveCostDatabaseandBudgetingMethodologyJuly,2004|http://www.davislangdon.com/USA/Research/ResearchFinder/2004-Costing-Green-A-Comprehensive-Cost-Database-and-Budgeting-Methodology8Kats,GregTheCostsandFinancialBenetsofGreenBuildingsOctober,2003|http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/News/News477.pdf9BuildingforSustainability-StudyforDavidandLucillePackardFoundationLosAltosProject,October2002|http://www.hpsarch.com/careers/2002-Matrix.pdf10StevenWintersAssociatesGSALEEDCostStudyOctober,2004|11IBID


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Lighting Controls: Individual lighting controlscan be most cost-eectively incorporated intosystem urniture task lighting. Daylight harvestingcontrolstypicallyaverage$100/xtureandpayforthemselves in 1-3 years.

Thermal Comort Controls: Individual thermalcomort controls can be most cost-eectively

incorporated into underfoor air distribution andoperable windows; increased VAV distribution canincur greater cost with ewer benets.

Sot Costs

3rd Party LEED project management: LEEDconsultingtypicallystartsaround$40,000-60,000throughprojectcertication,butwillvarydepending on the building size, complexity oscope, level o LEED certication targeted, levelo LEED experience among disciplines and theconstruction team, and diculty o integratingLEED into the project process. Starting early (inpre-design or schematic design) can help keepthe LEED management ees under control. Thelater the process starts, the more dicult it is tomanage the process.

Energy Modeling: Depending on the project sizeandprojectscope,energymodeling(usingDOE2,eQUEST or Trane Trace) typically starts around$20,000.AllLEEDprojectsmustshowcompliancewith LEED energy perormance criteria. Smaller

projects should consider using the prescriptivecompliance path options, instead o energymodeling (explained in the DC Green BuildingCodeUpdateschapteraswellastheLEED-NCsupplemental guide).

Fundamental Commissioning: Fundamental Cxmaycost$1.50-3.00/sfforcomprehensivebuilding systems. This is a Prerequisite and mustbe included in all LEED projects.

Enhanced Commissioning: Enhanced Cxtypicallyaddsanadditional$1.00-2.00/sf.12 This isan additional Credit that is optional.

Whole building commissioning can also beestimatedat1-2%oftotalconstructioncosts.Interior build-outs may only include lightingcontrols and be much less costly. With an

averageof18%energysavingsfrombuildingcommissioning, this service typically pays or itselin 1-5 years.13

LEED Documentation: the true cost odocumentation is not in the paper work, it is inthe enhanced level o design and in the ongoingdesign verication process. Some A/E rmswill charge a documentation ee. Others willcharge a sustainable design ee. Some rms willnot charge a ee at all, as they already strive toincorporate sustainability into common practice.Regardless o what the additional ee is called,it is usually refective o a more integrated anditerative design process, where the design andultimate building perormance is enhanced by aeedback loop. Once the design is veried againstLEED perormance criteria, the documentationprocess merely requires that the team uploadcopies o the drawings and calculations.

Fees or LEED documentation will vary based onthe ollowing:

Projectscope

ProjectcomplexityLEEDexperienceleveloftheteam(A/Erms)PhaseatwhichLEEDisinitiatedLevelofcerticationtargeted

LEED Certifcation Guidebook | The Cost o LEED

12Langdon, Davis Cost o Green Revisited: Reexamining the Feasibility and Cost Impact o Sustainable Design in the Light o Increased MarketAdoptionJuly,200713Mills,Ethan,etalTheCost-EffectivenessofCommercial-BuildingCommissioningLawrenceBerkeleyNationalLaboratory,Dec.2004|eetd.lbl.gov/emills/PUBS/Cx-Costs-Benets.html


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The LEED Certication process is airly accommodatingo project schedules, however this Guidebook providesrecommendations or successully managing theprocess in an ecient and economical manner. A matrixoutlining LEED steps, milestones, responsibilities androles is provided in this Guidebook. Wherever possible,requirements and procedures specic to the DC Oceo Property Management (OPM), the DC Departmento the Environment (DDOE) and the DC Departmento Consumer and Regulatory Aairs (DCRA) whichare relevant to LEED are incorporated into this matrix.Unique projects may need to adjust this timeline as wellas roles and responsibilities to accommodate specicproject needs.

1. Getting Started

Sustainable design and LEED requirements are mostecient and economical to integrate into a project ithe process begins early. Many project teams unamiliarwith LEED will delay the onset o the process, earingit will adversely impact a project schedule. In actuality,putting o the discussion about sustainable design andLEED goals is inecient and oten results in burdening

a project schedule and budget i the issue is discussedtoo late in the design process. Ideally, sustainabledesign and LEED requirements are integrated early oninto the project design process rather than added on atthe end.

Although there are recommended timerames orcompleting each o the steps outlined in this chapter,it is important to note that every single one o thesesteps must be completed to achieve certication, withthe exception o Precertication which is optional andavailable to LEED or Core & Shell projects only.

I the project team starts to implement LEED in a laterphase than indicated in this overview, the team simplymust perorm the steps in a subsequent phase.

2. Planning/Pre-design

The best time to initiate the LEED discussion isbeore the project is awarded. When responding to aRequest or Proposal (RFP), developing a proposal orStatement o Intent or describing a project approachand preparing or an interview, it is a good idea tohave had at least one discussion or meeting amongknown team members (e.g. Architects, Civil Engineers,Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Engineers,Landscape Architects) around sustainability and LEED. Inthis way, the team can consider special site conditionsand programmatic considerations, outline a strategyand be prepared to start the project o on the rightoot when it is awarded. For example, simple designdecisions about building orientation and massingmay have tremendous impact on the ultimate energyperormance o the building. These decisions can bemade in a timely and cost eective manner i they areaddressed beore the building is already designed. Thisinitial pre-award meeting can be a conerence call, anin-person meeting or even a mini-charrette. Including asustainable design approach narrative in your proposalcan go a long way toward convincing OPM that the

team understands the LEED requirements inherent inthe project scope.

Once the project is awarded, there are key activitiesthat will help a project get started on the right oot.

LEED Certifcation Guidebook | Managing LEED Certication by Project Phase


21/71LEED Certifcation Guidebook | Managing LEED Certication by Project Phase

Non- Residenal, Publicly Owned, Financed or

Funded Projects/Privately Funded Projects

(Expedited)

Subject to LEED CerficaonRequirements

DCRA Requirements Documentsto be submiedto ARCD

1. Registraon 1. Receipt from USGBC for LEED ProjectRegistraon

2. Integrated SustainableDesign

Charree(alldisciplines)

2. CharreeAgenda, Sign-in Sheet,MeengMinutes

3. PreliminarySustainableDesign

StrategyEvaluaon

3. Preliminary LEED Scorecard

0%within 60 daysofaward

Compliance verifcation documents to be submitted to DCRA in this phase; all phases must be completedbeore a permit will be issued. OPM project teams must submit duplicate copies o all documents to OPM.

B. Register the Project with the USGBC

Once the LEED Coordinator has been designatedit is essential to register the project or LEEDCertication with the USGBC as soon as easible.Registration takes only a ew minutes, requiresvery little inormation about location, size, budgetand scope (all o which can be modied at a later

dateifnecessary)andcurrentlycostsonly$450forUSGBCmembersor$600fornon-members.Find out i your rm is a USGBC member beoreregistering the project so that the discount isgiven.

OPM projects may be able to register with theDistricts USGBC membership i the project teamdoes not already include any USGBC members.

Early registration is very important because therating system is updated periodically, usuallybecoming more stringent. Registering a projectearly (recommended in Schematic Design phase)ensures that the project will retain eligibility orthecurrentLEEDRatingSystemtheoneunderwhich it is designed. I the Rating System changeswhile a project is in design or constructionand the project is not registered, it can lose itseligibility i it does not meet the newer LEEDstandards.

Remember,itonlytakesafewminutesand$450to preserve eligibility.

See the Steps to LEED Certifcation Chapter ordetailed instructions on Project Registration.

A. Designate a LEED Coordinator

It is important that the project team designate aLEED Coordinator, someone who can managethe process and keep all team members on trackthroughout the project. Although many projectteams elect to hire a third-party sustainabledesign consultant or this role, it is not always

necessary i there is a team member with someLEED experience under their belt. This Guidebookwill use the term LEED Coordinator in reerenceto eitheran internal orexternal (third-party) LEEDCoordinator or green building consultant.

At a minimum, a LEED Coordinator should be aLEED Accredited Proessional (LEED-AP) sothat there is a working knowledge o the RatingSystem and the Certication process. I the projectis particularly complex, the scope is extensive, orthere are unusual budget or schedule constraints,a third party consultant may well be a goodinvestment to ensure that the project achieves itsgoals.

I the project team does not include any LEED-APs, then a third party consultant may also bea particularly valuable asset as they can coachthe team through the process and all teammembers will be more knowledgeable and betterprepared or subsequent LEED projects. Thirdparty consultants generally work on a greatnumber and variety o LEED projects and are ableto bring a wealth o experience to the table. On

the other hand, i the project team designates aninternal team member as the LEED Coordinator,it is important that the LEED Coordinatorhas dedicated time or managing the LEEDCertication process.



requirements and discuss strategies that makesense or the program, budget and schedule.These strategies should be recorded on a LEEDScorecard or worksheet, along with designatedresponsibilities or urther design investigationand due dates or reporting back to the team. ALEED Scorecard is a summary o Credits markedas yes, maybe, or no. The scorecard is used to

help teams organize, review, and target Creditsapplicable to the project. It can be continuallyupdated in order to evaluate each Credits status.

Investigation may include cost research as wellas trial calculations to benchmark what is readilyachievable by the project. Detailed inormationabout specic strategies or LEED Credits andPrerequisites is provided in the supplementaryguidebooksforLEED-NCandLEED-CI.BlankLEED Scorecards are available ree on theUSGBC website (www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=1447).

A representative sample scorecard or OPMprojects is also provided in each LEED section(i.e.LEED-NC,LEED-CI).Althoughthesamplescorecard indicates specic strategies and Creditsrecommended by OPM, project teams shouldcustomize their approach as no two projectsare equal and LEED is most eective when it istailored to a projects individual needs. Projectteams are also encouraged to exceed theminimum requirements or LEED Certication atthe Silver level. This is consistent with the Districts

Green Agenda. Additionally, it builds in a buer incase all attempted Credits are not achieved, andhelps ensure projects meet at least the requiredLEED Silver standard.

B. Update LEED Scorecard

Following the charrette, the LEED Coordinatorshould update the scorecard to refect thecurrent LEED goals and strategy, indicatingresponsibilities and due dates. The scorecardshould be immediately reissued to the projectteam and should be maintained as a living

document throughout the progress o theproject. It is important that at a minimum theLEED Coordinator keeps track o this historicalinormation as the LEED Rating System changesconstantly through the Credit InterpretationRequest process, and a Credit that may haveseemed unachievable in the rst review maybecome more easily achievable at a later datethrough a new, accepted alternative compliancepath.

3. Schematic Design

It is most ecient and economical to establish clearLEED goals and strategies as early as possible in thedesign process. In this way, sustainable design elementsare integrated into the design rom its inceptionrather than becoming additive or reactive eatures. Itis especially important to your construction budget

that LEED requirements not engender change ordersbecause they were not addressed soon enough.

In some cases, sustainable strategies with perceivedrst-costs may be oset immediately by savings. Forexample, a vegetated (green) roo may incur a costpremium above a typical roong material, but maypreclude the necessity or structural stormwatermanagement. So while it appears on the suraceto add to the cost o a project, there may be animmediate economic benet to this strategy. Thisstrategy and others will be discussed in more detail,but it is important to note that early discussions aboutsustainable design usually result in a more economicalLEED strategy.

Key steps to LEED management in the schematic designphase include:

A. Hold a Sustainable Design Charrette

Once a LEED Coordinator or sustainable designconsultant has been designated, and the projectdesign has begun, it is important to hold aSustainable Design Charrette. This is an

all-teammeetingthattypicallytakes4-8hours(duration may vary, depending on the needs othe project). It should include at a minimum:the Owner, the Architect, the Civil Engineer, theMEP Engineers, and may include (i applicable)the Landscape Architect, the Lighting Designer,the Interior Designer, the Acoustic Engineer andthe Structural Engineer. I available at this pointin the project, the charrette may also includethe Building Engineer, a cost consultant, and theCommissioning Agent.

It is a good idea to come to the sustainable design

charrette prepared with site plans, inormationabout the program and project designrequirements, any preliminary design documents,and inormation about site conditions, localzoning ordinances, building codes, stormwatertreatment requirements, open space requirementsand parking requirements, etc.

At the charrette, the entire project team shouldreview the project in the context o LEED



For example, only the team member assigned tothe role Civil Engineer may post documentationunder a Credit assigned to the Civil Engineer. Atthe time o publication o this Guidebook, thereare at least two LEED Online tutorials available orree online. Please see the Resources chapter othis guidebook or urther inormation on LEEDtutorials.

D. Project Team Members Access LEED Online

and Review Letter Templates

It is important to provide access to LEED Onlineto all team members once they are invited to

join the project site. LEED Online oers a wealtho tools, including Letter Templates, Creditcalculators, Credit Interpretation Requests andRulings, and an electronic LEED Scorecard. Allteam members should visit the project site onLEED Online once the project is registered so that

they can review the Letter Templates or Creditsto which they are assigned. Letter Templatesoutline and clariy Credit requirements. I teammembers are aware o the Credit requirements asthey design, and can veriy that the design meetsthose requirements as they design, then the teamwill not have to go back and re-design or add inelements later to demonstrate LEED compliance.

E. Review Documentation Requirements

All team members responsible or LEED designintegration and documentation should sign on

to the project site on LEED Online and make

C. Set Project Up in LEED Online

Ater the sustainable design charrette, it isimportant to set up the project on LEED Online.All projects seeking LEED Certication mustsubmit documentation on LEED Online. LEEDOnline is the venue where the USGBC reviewsdocumentation and provides eedback to the

project team. Setting up the project on LEEDOnlineusuallytakesaround30-45minutesandis done by the Project Administrator (this isthe LEED Online title or the person who hasregistered the project). I someone other than theLEED Coordinator has registered the project, thenthe Project Administrator can assign the LEEDCoordinator to the Project Team Manager role(which has the same capabilities as the ProjectAdministrator) or contact the USGBC to have theProject Administrator role switched to the LEEDCoordinator.

The Project Administrator (or Project TeamManager) is able to invite project team membersto join the project site on LEED Online and toassign team members, Credits and Prerequisitesto various team roles. For example, a membero the design team may be assigned to therole Architect. All o the Credits that must becompleted by the Architect will be designatedas such by the Project Administrator. Althoughall team members can view all o the posteddocumentation online, only the party assignedto the same role as a particular Credit can alter,

upload or delete documentation or that Credit.

Non-Residenal, Publicly Owned, Financed or

Funded Projects/Privately Funded Projects

(Expedited)Subject to LEED CerficaonRequirements


4. Public Agency Engagement 4. Meeng schedule and parcipant list for regular meengs

with relevant agency(ies).

(e.g. OPM, OPEFM, DCPR, etc.)

5a. Updated LEED dracerocS

5b. Preliminary Sustainable Approach Narrave (1-3 pages)

5c. Schemac drawings (site plan, plan, secons,elevaons)

indicangintegraon of LEED-compliant strategies

5. Design Invesgaon and Strategy

Development

35%




A. Enhanced Commissioning (optional, all projects)

Fundamental commissioning o the buildingis a required Prerequisite that is part o theConstruction Submittal, but i the projectteam intends to pursue EA Credit 3: EnhancedCommissioning, the DD phase is also the key

timerame or the Enhanced Commissioningprocess to begin. The Commissioning Authoritywill review the MEP design documents, theOwners Project Requirements and the Basis oDesign. The MEP team will need to documenttheir response to the Commissioning Authorityscomments in order to obtain this Credit. Thisprocess can help assure that the appropriatesystems and appropriate sizing o those systemsare used in the building. This is important becauseoptimizing mechanical, electrical and plumbingdesign are critical to building perormance over itsliespan.

B. Precertifcation(optional, LEED or Core & Shell only)

I a project is pursuing Certication under theLEED-CS rating system, the end o DD is an idealtime to seek Precertication rom the USGBC. Thisservice is provided to help project Owners marketto prospective tenants, and may assist teamspursuing Expedited Permitting rom the Districtto demonstrate a commitment to a specic levelo LEED Certication. Precertication is available

foraatrateof$2500(USGBCmembers)/$3500(non-members) per project and an overviewo the Precertication process is posted onthe LEED website: www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=2257.

Precertication does not guarantee the level oeventual certication, nor does it require theproject team to a certain level o certication,however it is important that the level oPrecertication sought is in line with the eventualproject certication goals. In other words, dontpromise a LEED Platinum project i you can only

deliver Gold and so on. It is better to pre-certiyat a lower level that the project may eventuallyexceed than to over-promise.

themselves aware o their documentationresponsibilities. I team members are aware oLEED documentation requirements early on,then they can integrate these requirements intodesign documents, precluding the necessity oraltering documents or changing the design at alater date. Making changes to the design or toconstruction documents in order to accommodate

LEED requirements late in the process only makesLEED less eective and less ecient. It is also timeconsuming and thereore not a very economicalstrategy either.

4. Design Development

This phase is really crucial in designing a high-perormance, sustainable building. Many decisionsabout strategy are made in this phase as a resulto design investigation and cost estimation. It isimportant when researching costs and benets ospecic green building measures that the designteam thinks holistically. For instance, a vegetated roosystemmayadda$10/sfcostpremiumtoaprojecthowever it may preclude the need or structuralstorm water management, so the project saves thecost o a cistern or sand lter. When undertakingthe value engineering process, it is important toremember that many sustainable design elementsarent just line items and striking something rom thedesign may cause an increase in costs elsewhere.

The Project Administrator or Project Team Managershould ensure that the entire design team has

access to the tools on LEED Online in this phase. Allparticipants should be using the calculators (typicallyinherent in the LEED Letter Templates) to veriy thatthe design will meet LEED requirements. Design teammembers should also amiliarize themselves with theLetter Templates and make note o the documentationrequirements to ensure that drawings contain thenecessary inormation to show compliance.

By the end o the DD phase, the project team shouldhave a conrmed LEED Scorecard as well as a clearstrategy or achieving each Prerequisite and Credit.Some minor changes to the LEED strategy may be

made in the ensuing project phases, but the bulk othe planning, research and integration o LEED shouldbe complete beore the Construction Documents phase.



C. Design Phase Review(all projects, all rating systems)

In order to best manage the LEED certicationprocess, it is recommended that the project teamundergo the Design Phase Review in the CDsphase. Feedback rom the USGBC can inorm earlyValue Engineering decisions, helping the project

team identiy the most cost eective and successulLEED strategies to achieve the desired level ocertication. The design team will be able to usethis inormation to make decisions about what toinclude in nal sets o Construction Documents.All LEED project documentation must be


Non-Residenal, Publicly Owned, Financed or

Funded Projects/PrivatelyFunded Projects

(Expedited)Subject to LEED CerficaonRequirements


6a. Final LEED Scorecard

6b. Final Sustainable Approach Narrave (1-3 pages)

7a. Revisedprojectdrawingsdemonstrang LEED

requirements are integratedintoprojectdesign

7b. Completed LEED LeerTemplates for everyPrerequisite

and Creditthat will be aempted (and are listed on the

scorecard)

8. SustainableDesignVerificaon8. Receipt for submial ofDesignPhaseReviewDocumentsto

the USGBC

6. ConfirmedSustainableDesignStrategy

7. SuccessfulSustainableDesign

Integraon

65%

submitted on LEED Online. Upon registrationand payment, each project is given its own LEEDproject website or storing team documentationand managing the submittal and eedbackprocess. It is important to note that the USGBCwill not review any documentation or LEED LetterTemplates until the whole phase is completedand submitted and payment is rendered. Team

members may continue to modiy their LetterTemplates and upload, delete, modiy and re-upload documents as oten as they wish beorethe submittal date.

See the Steps to LEED Certifcation Chapter or detailedinstructions on Precertifcation and Design PhaseReview.



See the Specifcations Guidance chapter or details.Project Owners may wish to require an earlysubmittal o Construction Waste Managementand Indoor Air Quality Management Plans bythe contractor to ensure these requirements areunderstood and implemented rom ground-breakingonward.

Project Owners may also wish to require LEEDprogress reports in addition to normal projectprogress reports. Contract documents can requirethat Construction Waste Management, RecycledContent, Regional Materials and other materialsCredits be tracked consistently and updated reportsprovided at regular intervals.

Some project Owners even tie these progressreports to payments to ensure that the properdocumentation is collected in a timely manner. It isextremely dicult to obtain materials documentationonce sub-contractors have been compensated andtheir contracts closed out.

The LEED Coordinator should review the projectspecications to ensure that they refect all LEEDrequirements associated with the targeted strategy.Having detailed and thorough documents willassist General Contractors and Sub-contractorsestimate project costs and bid on the projectaccurately, keeping project costs in line withouthaving to sacrice sustainability later in the ValueEngineering process.

The LEED Coordinator should also participate in anypre-bid conerences to assist in clariying the projectsLEED strategy and sustainability goals.

5. Construction Documents

It is critical that all LEED requirements show up inboth construction drawings and specications. Forexample, projects pursuing EQ Credit 1 or OutdoorAir Delivery Monitoring must show the location andnumber o carbon dioxide monitors on the plans.Projects pursuing EQ Credits 4.1-4.4 or Low-

Emitting Materials must include both perormancecriteria (restricting chemical content and harmulemissions) and documentation requirements inthe specications. Projects pursing EQ Credit 5must show deck-to-deck partitions and separateexhaust or high volume copy rooms and janitorsclosets, in addition to showing walk-o mats atall major building entry points at least 6 in thedirection o travel. These are three examples othe level o detail that should be refected in theconstruction documents to help to project meet LEEDrequirements and to demonstrate compliance to theUSGBC. Other Credits will have other implicationsand documentation requirements.

Specications are a critical component to successullyimplementing LEED requirements on the jobsite. In addition to providing guidance regardingperormance criteria or building products andmaterials, the specications should clearly indicatewhat documentation submittals look like andwhich LEED Credits should be documented in eachspec section. The more detailed the specicationsare about LEED requirements and documentationexpectations, the easier it will be or the General

Contractor to manage the process on the job site.


OPMRequirements DocumentstobesubmittedtoOPMandtheArchitect'sLEEDcoordinatorbytheGeneralContractor


onsiteLEEDdocumentationcoordinator

11b.LEEDKickoffmeeting(agenda,signinsheet)

11c.Construction WasteManagementPlan

11d.

Indoor

Air

Quality

Management

Plan

Monthly12.Construction Phase

Compliance Verification



OPM/DCRA/DDOERequirements

DocumentstobesubmittedtoOPM,DCRA&DDOE 13a.Construction PhaseReview,issuedbyUSGBC


TemporaryCertificateofOccupancyisIssued

Completion

11.Construction Phase

Compliance Verification

Within60daysofContract

Award


Verification



27/71

specic projects unique LEED strategy.The Architects LEED Coordinator should reviewthe General Contractors Construction WasteManagement Plan and Indoor Air QualityManagement Plan and make recommendations toassure compliance with LEED requirements.

The Architects LEED Coordinator should also assistthe Architect by reviewing submittals, advisingon LEED compliance and assisting the GeneralContractor in locating suitable product and materialsubstitutions when necessary. The Architects LEEDCoordinator should assist the General Contractorin evaluating the merits o materials and productsrelevant to LEED requirements and by reviewingongoing calculations and documentation tobenchmark against LEED Credit thresholds.

The Architects LEED Coordinator should makeperiodic visits to the job site to veriy that theSedimentation and Erosion Control Plan is beingollowed (it is a Prerequisite!), the ConstructionIndoor Air Quality Management Plan is beingollowed, and that documentation is being collectedconsistently and appears complete and accurate todate.

As individual Materials & Resources Credits arecompleted, the Architects LEED Coordinator mayreview these and close them out. A well-run LEEDproject should have only Commissioning and

Construction Waste Management documentation tocomplete at project completion.

Although the USGBC will probably never visit yourjob site, remember that projects located in theDistrict are highly visible to the USGBC sta (themain oce is located in Washington, DC) and thatLEED projects should be on their best behavior.

LEED Certifcation Guidebook | Managing LEED Certication by Project Phase

6. Construction Administration

The best strategy to ensure successulimplementation o LEED requirements on the jobsite is to hold a sustainable design kick-o meetingwith the General Contractor and sub-contractorsor major trades and disciplines (e.g. mechanical,plumbing, electric, concrete or steel). At this kick-

o meeting, the Architects LEED Coordinatorshould review the LEED Scorecard with the GeneralContractor and major sub-contractors, payingparticular attention to all Construction Phase LEEDPrerequisites and Credits. At the meeting, theLEED perormance criteria and documentationrequirements should be reviewed. Just because it isin the specications, does not mean that it has beenread or understood!

The General Contractor should appoint its owninternal LEED Coordinator or consultant to managethe documentation process and to coordinate withthe subcontractors to collect all o the inormationrequired to demonstrate LEED compliance. OPMrequires that the General Contractor appoint aLEED-AP to manage LEED documentation andimplementation on site.

Responsibilities or the Contractors LEED Coordinatorinclude compiling all LEED construction phasedocumentation and providing progress reports tothe Architects LEED Coordinator as well as to OPM.The Contractors LEED Coordinator must completeand sign the cover sheet included in the Specication

Guidance chapter o this Guidebook.

The Architect is responsible or customizing theLEED Progress Report Cover Sheet document as wellas LEED Documentation Submittal Requirementsthroughout the specications so that contractdocuments and progress reporting tool are applicableonly to the Credits and Prerequisites included in the



See the Steps to LEED Certifcation Chapter ordetailed instructions on Construction PhaseReview.

B. Certifcation

Once both rounds o the Construction PhaseReview are complete, the USGBC will oer the

project a nal certication award. The projectteam can choose not to accept the award, i thereare any Credits that need to be appealed. I theproject team and project Owner are happy withthe level o certication oered, they may acceptthe award and a LEED Plaque with mountinghardware will be sent. Projects teams that wouldlike to integrate the plaque into the buildingarchitecture (e.g. have the emblem etched intoglass or stone walls, foors, etc.) may obtainspecications rom the USGBC to do so.

A. Construction Phase Review

At the projects completion, the Architects LEEDCoordinator should coordinate with the GeneralContractor and the project team the submittalo all construction related documentation to theUSGBC or Construction Phase Review. Whenthe USGBC eedback is received with requests

or Clarication, the Architects LEED Coordinatorshould work with the General Contractors LEEDCoordinator and project design team to amend orreinorce construction documentation as neededand re-submit to the USGBC.

Should any Credit appeals be needed (or Creditsnot granted in the two rounds o Constructionphase documentation review), the ContractorsLEED Coordinator should manage the process orevising the documentation and appealing theCredit.

It is important to note that i the project doesnot meet the LEED criteria, a Credit appeal mayinvolve making changes to the building, whichwill require change orders, revised drawings,etc. These will be the responsibility o the designteam. Both LEED Coordinators should remain incontact with the USGBC throughout the projectand assist the Owner (OPM) and the project teamuntil Certication is awarded.

Compliance verifcation documents to be submitted to OPM, DCRA and DDOE in construction and uponcompletion beore a Certifcate o Occupancy will be issued.

OPMRequirements DocumentstobesubmittedtoOPMandtheArchitect'sLEEDcoordinatorbytheGeneralContractor


onsiteLEEDdocumentationcoordinator

11b.LEEDKickoffmeeting(agenda,signinsheet)

11c.ConstructionWasteManagementPlan

11d.IndoorAirQualityManagementPlan

Monthly12.ConstructionPhase




OPM/DCRA/DDOERequirements

DocumentstobesubmittedtoOPM,DCRA&DDOE13a.ConstructionPhaseReview,issuedbyUSGBC


TemporaryCertificateofOccupancyisIssuedCompletion

11.ConstructionPhase


Within60daysofContract

Award


Verification



29/71


30/71

When and How Do You Interact With the USGBCand LEED Online?

The steps to project certication are ew, but there is alot o work behind each step, and as this process spansthe entire design and construction timeline, it requiresattention, consistency and oversight. The steps arelisted in brie below, and are described in more detail inthis chapter. Although you will see in the project rolesand responsibilities matrix that there are recommendedtimerames or completing each o these steps, it isimportant to note that every single one o these stepsmust be completed to achieve certication. I theproject team starts late, the team must perorm moreo the steps in less time.

Terms in BOLD will be dened in context below as wellas in the Glossary. LEED Online tutorials are shown inthe Resources chapter o this Guidebook, and providea visual demonstration o the steps described in thisGuidebook. It is highly recommended that the ProjectAdministrator or Project Team Manager or LEED Onlinebecome amiliar with the LEED Online website and itseatures.

LEED Online can unction slowly at times, dependingon the level o trac the site is experiencing at anygiven time. Please exercise patience! I you are havingtechnical problems with the website, you shouldcontact the USGBC.

LEED Certifcation Guidebook | Steps to LEED Certication

PROJECT CERTIFICATION STEPS WHEN

1 Project Registration* Pre-Design or SD

2TeamAdministration Pre-Design or SD

3 Scorecard Administration SD

4 CIR (Credit Interpretation Request)* at any time needed

5 Prerequisite and Credit Documentation DD and CA

6ProjectNarrative DD

7 Project Summary DD

8GeneralDocuments DD

9Precertication (optional, or LEED-CS projects only)* DD

10DesignPhaseReview* DD or CDs

11 Construction Phase Review* CA/Completion

*Requires payment o ee to USGBC


31/71LEED Certifcation Guidebook | Steps to LEED Certication

another team member at any time by contactingthe LEED support sta at the USGBC via email,or by assigning another team member to theProject Team Manager role on LEED Online. Thisrole has the same authority and capabilities asthe Project Administrator. I more than one team

member wishes to share the responsibilities ormanaging the Certication process, the ProjectAdministrator can assign more than one ProjectTeam Manager, all o whom will have the samelevel o access to manage the project on LEEDOnline. Ideally, each team should identiy oneProject Administrator or Project Team Manager tocoordinate and oversee all LEED Online activities.

You will need a USGBC Site User Account toregister a project. I you do not already have one,it is easy to sign up and it is ree. You do notneed to be a USGBC member to have an account,however, i your company or organization is amember, you will want to have the company IDhandy to add to your account so that you canreceive the member discount when registering theproject.

D. How do I Register a Project?

Registering a LEED project takes ve minutes andisonly$450forUSGBCmemberorganizations/companiesand$600fornon-membercompanies.You can register a project here: www.usgbc.org/

DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=65.

You will need the ollowing inormation toregister a project. This inormation can bemodied later, so do not hesitate to register theproject with whatever inormation you haveavailable as soon as possible. You do not need todeclare the level o LEED Certication pursued atthis time or any time during the process. Have thisinormation when you register:

a. LEED Rating System that you are registeringunder(e.g.LEED-NC,LEED-CI,LEED-CS)

b.ProjectName

c. Is the project condential? (it will not showup on the public USGBC website i you indicatethat it is condential)

d. Project Address (an intersection is ne i you donot have an address yet)

1. Project Registration

A. When should I Register a Project?

Register your project as soon as it is awarded oras soon as possible thereater.

B. Why is Registering early so important?

Registering the project provides the team accessto the tools needed to measure and veriy thatthe design will meet LEED requirements. It isimportant that team members are able to do thisas they go, rather than waiting until the designis complete, necessitating changes to the designto meet LEED requirements. Tools include: anelectronic LEED Scorecard; a common website orthe team to post drat documentation or internalreview; LEED Letter Templates, with embeddedcalculators to assist in design verication; accessto posted Credit Interpretation Requests andocial Credit Interpretation Rulings, whichclariy the USGBCs expectations and expand thesustainable design strategies and approachespermissible under the LEED rating system.

Registering the project also preserves the projectseligibility under the current rating systemat the time o registration. The LEED ratingsystems are on track to be updated annually,becoming more stringent every year. I the teamis designing under a particular rating system,that is the rating system that should be used to

evaluate the project. Project teams who delayregistration jeopardize the projects eligibil ityor LEED Certication at all, and they inhibit theteams ability to design in accordance with LEEDrequirements eectively.

LEED is not an additive system whereby a teamcan simply add LEED elements to a project at thelast minute and expect to achieve Certifcation.Sustainable design and LEED criteria must beintegrated into the design to be eective,economical and to achieve Certifcation.

C. Who Registers the Project?

Anyone on the team can register the project,whether it is the Owner, the Project Manager, theSustainability Coordinator, the LEED Consultant,etc. The person who registers the project willbe, by deault, the Project Administratorwho manages the project on LEED Online. Ithis person does not wish to be the Pr