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LEED v4 Changes for Existing Buildings: O+M Rating System
June 20, 2013
The U.S. Green Building Council is launching a new version of its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating systems, more commonly called LEED. Among the many changes expected with the release of LEED v4, one can expect heightened requirements to improve energy performance. Below are a few areas in which these heightened requirements […]
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Indoor Environment Prerequisite: No Smoking within 25 Feet of Building
July 27, 2012
Tobacco smoke almost seems like a dead issue because its been banned from inside most buildings including bars and restaurants. However the problem of second-hand tobacco smoke infiltrating buildings through doors, windows, and outdoor air intakes persists because smokers typically don’t take but a few steps into fresh air before they light up. The LEED perspective takes the […]
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LEED 101: Audits
November 18, 2011
I never thought I’d be so comfortable with the word audit. Most people shudder and conjure nightmarish images of the IRS. In the LEED world audits are friendly and more akin to a ‘feedback process.’ I always recommend audits to my clients, not just for ‘easy’ LEED Points, but ideally to asses your current condition in order to […]
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LEED 101: Required Signatories
September 19, 2011
A little mentioned aspect of the LEED application are the ‘Required Signatories’ (RS). Fourteen of these digital signatures are littered throughout the O+M application. This strategy forces major stakeholders and decision makers like the Owner, Property Manager, and Building Engineer to log in and make virtual promises. These mini-attestations can range from confirming that the […]
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LEED 101: MPRs (Minimum Program Requirements)
August 19, 2011
This first edition in an on-going series, LEED 101, breaks down the LEED certification process bite by bite. The very first step-even before registering your project-is confirming that your building can meet all seven Minimum Program Requirements. The requirements are the same for every rating system. 1. Must comply with environmental laws. Basically, don’t pollute. This is […]
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Review of LEED Neighborhood Development Rating System
March 8, 2011
Many have waited years for the release of the USGBC’s LEED Neighborhood Development Rating System. The LEED ND system “was designed as a market transformation tool” and is the most holistic LEED system released to date by requiring “the neighborhood… to be situated in a place that makes sense from a transportation standpoint.” Some have […]
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