us army corps of engineers building strong ® leed certification tips and slips presented by:...

US Army Corps of Engineers

BUILDING STRONG®

LEED Certification Tips and SlipsLEED Certification Tips and SlipsPresented by:

Brandon T. Martin, PE, CEM,

Mechanical Design Chief

&

Steve Thibaudeau, PE,

Civil Engineer

Louisville District

16 January 2013

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Legal StuffLegal Stuff

LEED® Rating System information displayed in this presentation is attributed to the U.S. Green Building Council for authorship and copyright.

The views presented are ours and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components.

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Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

Government Sustainability

Project Certification Tips

Technical Slips

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911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburgh, PA Lodging Facility

LEED v2.2 Gold Certified

Louisville District – In-House Design

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Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facility

Fort Campbell, KY

LEED v2.2 Gold Certified

Louisville District – Design/Build

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Government SustainabilityGovernment Sustainability

30% Energy Reduction – Energy Policy Act 200530% Energy Reduction – Energy Policy Act 2005 100% Fossil Fuel Reduction by 2030 – Energy Independence 100% Fossil Fuel Reduction by 2030 – Energy Independence

and Security Act (EISA) 2007and Security Act (EISA) 2007 Low Impact Development – EISA 2007Low Impact Development – EISA 2007 Federal High Performing Sustainable Buildings (FHPSB)Federal High Performing Sustainable Buildings (FHPSB)

LEED Silver is Army Policy. Captures many of the LEED Silver is Army Policy. Captures many of the Federal requirements.Federal requirements.

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Project Administration--TipsProject Administration--Tips Stay current on LEED addendaStay current on LEED addenda Rating system “frozen” at time of registration. Not Rating system “frozen” at time of registration. Not

required to meet new addenda following registration.required to meet new addenda following registration. Keep up to date on Reference Guide addenda and the Keep up to date on Reference Guide addenda and the

latest LEED interpretations.latest LEED interpretations. Use LEED interpretations to your advantage.Use LEED interpretations to your advantage. Seek interpretation where anything is not in STRICT Seek interpretation where anything is not in STRICT

accordance with existing guidance.accordance with existing guidance. Remember that GBCI acceptance on one project does Remember that GBCI acceptance on one project does

not ensure acceptance on another.not ensure acceptance on another.

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Project Administration--TipsProject Administration--Tips

Form Data LinkagesForm Data Linkages Interconnects credits and autopopulates shared Interconnects credits and autopopulates shared

informationinformation ExamplesExamples

► Building footprint (SF)Building footprint (SF)► OccupancyOccupancy► Materials costs (Div 2-10)Materials costs (Div 2-10)

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Modifying linked submittals affects other credits!

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Form UpgradesForm Upgrades

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Form UpgradesForm Upgrades Wipes out old formsWipes out old forms Can do credit by creditCan do credit by credit Requests accepted from project administrator, Requests accepted from project administrator,

project team manager, or project team members project team manager, or project team members assigned to the creditassigned to the credit

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LEED Review ReportsLEED Review Reports

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Get LEED spec distributed to subsGet LEED spec distributed to subs

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Develop sustainable design submittal formsDevelop sustainable design submittal forms

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Project Certification TipsProject Certification Tips

Owner Coordination & Post Occupancy WorkOwner Coordination & Post Occupancy Work► Always confirm owner participation if Always confirm owner participation if

pursuing credits requiring post-pursuing credits requiring post-

occupancy effort.occupancy effort.► Examples:Examples:

• IDc1 - Green CleaningIDc1 - Green Cleaning• IEQc7.2 - Thermal Comfort VerificationIEQc7.2 - Thermal Comfort Verification• EAc5 - Measurement & VerificationEAc5 - Measurement & Verification

► Louisville District, USACE Specification allows Louisville District, USACE Specification allows

these credits as part of minimum required LEED these credits as part of minimum required LEED

score strategy ONLY if written documentation score strategy ONLY if written documentation

confirms Government participation/coordination.confirms Government participation/coordination. You want me to do WHAT?!!

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Owner Coordination & Post Occupancy WorkOwner Coordination & Post Occupancy Work► Understand Owner operations. Make sure that credits are value added.Understand Owner operations. Make sure that credits are value added.

October 2012

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Innovation in DesignInnovation in Design► ID credits carry risk, especially where no ID credits carry risk, especially where no

precedent has been set.precedent has been set.► Louisville District, USACE Specification Louisville District, USACE Specification

requires Government evaluation and no requires Government evaluation and no

obligation for the Government to acceptobligation for the Government to accept

credits.credits.► Have a safety net. Do not count on ID credits to reach goal Have a safety net. Do not count on ID credits to reach goal

if possible.if possible.

Innovation is fine. Innovation is fine. Just manage the risk.Just manage the risk.

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Technical SlipsTechnical Slips

Common IssuesCommon Issues► Inconsistencies among credits that share inputs. Inconsistencies among credits that share inputs.

• Example: Light Pollution Reduction & Optimize Energy PerformanceExample: Light Pollution Reduction & Optimize Energy Performance• Example: Minimum IAQ Performance & Optimize Energy PerformanceExample: Minimum IAQ Performance & Optimize Energy Performance

► Inconsistencies within credit documentation.Inconsistencies within credit documentation.• Example: Energy model input/output reports do not match templates.Example: Energy model input/output reports do not match templates.• Example: Number of plumbing fixtures do not match templates.Example: Number of plumbing fixtures do not match templates.• Example: Number of individual occupant controls do not match Example: Number of individual occupant controls do not match

templatestemplates

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Common IssuesCommon Issues► Lack of understanding of referenced standards.Lack of understanding of referenced standards.

• Example: Incorrect calculation of ventilation rates or application of Example: Incorrect calculation of ventilation rates or application of demand controlled ventilation per ASHRAE 62.1.demand controlled ventilation per ASHRAE 62.1.

• Example: Simplistic calculation of U values vs ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix Example: Simplistic calculation of U values vs ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix A.A.

► Incomplete documentationIncomplete documentation• Example: EAp2/EAc1 table 1.4.Example: EAp2/EAc1 table 1.4.

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Common IssuesCommon Issues► Changes in practice/processesChanges in practice/processes

• Example: Third-party commissioning – Example: Third-party commissioning –

Contracts, relationships, coordination.Contracts, relationships, coordination.• Example: Allowing time for building flush-Example: Allowing time for building flush-

out between construction completion and out between construction completion and

occupancy.occupancy.

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EAp2/EAc1EAp2/EAc1► ConsiderationsConsiderations

• Energy Modeling is complex. Lots of ways to make a mistake.• GBCI will always make comments. Even perfect energy model will get

questions due to assumptions regarding design vs energy consumption.

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• Remember that the energy consumption calculated is for the purpose of comparison between alternatives. ASHRAE PRM attempts to get as close to “apples to apples” comparison as possible. Rules are not set up to facilitate energy consumption prediction.

• Software Limitations – No one software package handles all systems or conservation measures. Innovative design can be difficult to model.

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• Exceptional calculations – Acceptability is subjective. Be sure the calculation uses a reasonable method.

• GBCI reviewers use experience to assess whether an energy reduction is likely, equipment sizes seem appropriate, etc. May need to be prepared to provide additional documentation. Make sure design supports reported energy savings.

Example: Condensing boilers modeled at 94% efficiency but operated at 180 deg F supply temperature.

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EAp2/EAc1EAp2/EAc1► Quick CheckQuick Check

• Building floor area matches design and

matches between submitted documentation.• All template/table fields completed.• Check unmet load hours w/in tolerance.• Energy model warnings are addressed.• Process energy cost is at least 25% of baseline energy cost OR a

justification is provided.• Correct climate zone reported. (Listed by state/county in ASHRAE 90.1)• Ensure ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guides are properly applied.

Design is not out of scope of document.

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EAp2/EAc1EAp2/EAc1► Inconsistent Submission DocumentsInconsistent Submission Documents

• Scheduled equipment sizes do not match LEED documentation.• Energy model input/output reports do not match data in LEED

documentation.• Building areas in energy model reports do not match LEED documents.• Back-up documentation for water heating reduction due to low-flow

fixtures not provided.• Window-to-gross-wall ratio inconsistent between proposed and

baseline models. Baseline not in accordance with standard.• Ventilation rates not consistent with IEQp1/IEQc2 documentation.• Exterior lighting power not consistent with SSc8 documentation.

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EAp2/EAc1EAp2/EAc1► PRM Energy Modeling RulesPRM Energy Modeling Rules

• Building envelope, HVAC, lighting, etc. in accordance with ASHRAE 90.1 Chapter 5.

• Calculate U values in accordance with ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix A.• Understand F-Factor in tables vs floor design.• Understand definition of conditioned space. Impacts whether cooling

must be modeled for heating only spaces.• Pay attention to fan power limitation.

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• Include task lighting. Ensure consistent with IEQc6.1.• Understand tradable and non-tradable surfaces for exterior power. Do

not double-dip on lighting power savings (do not take credit for multiple surfaces from same fixtures).

• Use full year weather data. Do not use reduced year data.• Select correct systems for baseline energy models.• Fuel type consistent between proposed and baseline systems.• Use consistent thermal zones/blocks between proposed and baseline

systems. • Understand how thermal zones must be defined.

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• Include oversizing factors for HVAC equipment in baseline energy model.

• Fan efficiency must be separately reported in HVAC package system even if package has a single combined efficiency rating.

• Air flows in baseline energy model based on 20 deg F temperature difference.

• Take credit for occupancy sensors and daylighting controls in accordance with ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G.

• Do NOT take credit for manual shading devices.

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EAp2/EAc1EAp2/EAc1► Process LoadsProcess Loads

• Do not neglect energy using systems: snow melt, sump pumps, exterior lighting, elevators, etc.

• Process energy cost at least 25% of baseline energy cost; otherwise, provide justification.

• Do NOT arbitrarily set to 25%.

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WEc2/WEc3WEc2/WEc3 Special Occupancy Breakdown – Male & Female. Special Occupancy Breakdown – Male & Female.

Justify.Justify.

EAp1/EAc3EAp1/EAc3► OPR/BOD does not match design/energy modelsOPR/BOD does not match design/energy models► Contracting relationshipsContracting relationships► CoordinationCoordination► QualificationsQualifications

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EAp3/EAc4EAp3/EAc4► Equipment in schedules w/ refrigerant not accounted for in LEED Equipment in schedules w/ refrigerant not accounted for in LEED

documents.documents.

IEQp1/IEQc2IEQp1/IEQc2► Incorrect calculation of ventilation rates. Incorrect calculation of ventilation rates. ► Examples: Examples:

- Wrong Distribution Effectiveness (Ez = 1 or 0.8). - Wrong Distribution Effectiveness (Ez = 1 or 0.8).

- Incorrect calculation of System Ventilation Efficiency. - Incorrect calculation of System Ventilation Efficiency.

- Excluding critical space due to coverage by CO2 - Excluding critical space due to coverage by CO2

sensor.sensor.

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IEQc1IEQc1► Partial coverage of spaces. Some spaces on system Partial coverage of spaces. Some spaces on system

covered by CO2 monitors but others not; AFMS not in covered by CO2 monitors but others not; AFMS not in

system.system.► Designer does not attempt point b/c mistakes monitor Designer does not attempt point b/c mistakes monitor

and alarm for DCV.and alarm for DCV.► Constant volume systems – use current transmitter in Constant volume systems – use current transmitter in

lieu of measuring flow w/ AFMS.lieu of measuring flow w/ AFMS.► Sensors or alarms not included in BAS/UMCS point Sensors or alarms not included in BAS/UMCS point

schedules. Incorrect alarm setpoint.schedules. Incorrect alarm setpoint.

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IEQc3IEQc3► Insufficient time planned for flushing or IAQ testing.Insufficient time planned for flushing or IAQ testing.► Punch-listing during flushing period.Punch-listing during flushing period.► Design team should advise contractor of preferred flush-out option based Design team should advise contractor of preferred flush-out option based

on HVAC system capabilities – Prior to Occupancy or During Occupancyon HVAC system capabilities – Prior to Occupancy or During Occupancy

IEQc6.2IEQc6.2► Credit attempted but less than 50% of Credit attempted but less than 50% of

occupants have individual comfort control. occupants have individual comfort control.

Typical issue for open office areas.Typical issue for open office areas.► Conference or multi-purpose rooms w/ Conference or multi-purpose rooms w/

dividing wall has only one thermostat.dividing wall has only one thermostat.

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IEQc7.1IEQc7.1► Consider operate temperature vs air Consider operate temperature vs air

temperature. Occupants subjected to radiant temperature. Occupants subjected to radiant

heat/cool?heat/cool?► Consider all normally occupied spaces. Consider all normally occupied spaces. ► Example: Workshops typically ventilated only; Example: Workshops typically ventilated only;

credit requires compliance in these spaces.credit requires compliance in these spaces.

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SSc4.3 Alt. Trans. Low Emit. & Fuel Eff. VehiclesSSc4.3 Alt. Trans. Low Emit. & Fuel Eff. Vehicles

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SSc5.2 Maximize Open SpaceSSc5.2 Maximize Open Space

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SSc5.2 Maximize Open SpaceSSc5.2 Maximize Open Space

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WEc1 Water Efficient LandscapingWEc1 Water Efficient Landscaping

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The EndThe End

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