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The bar has been raised
You will not earn this prerequisite using standard fixtures that only comply with the federal EPAct 1992. This prerequisite, first introduced in LEED 2009, raises the bar significantly. All projects must now reduce water use by at least 20% as a prerequisite, whereas earlier versions of LEED awarded a point for a 20% reduction. The baseline against which water savings are measured has also become more demanding. The LEED 2009 baseline for commercial lavatory faucets is 0.5 gallons per minute (gpm), whereas the previous baseline was 2.5 gpm. Note that this prerequisite addresses interior water use only, but can be coupled with other water credits addressing outdoor water use.
Plan on focusing on efficiency with ultra-low-flow or waterless fixtures, as well as overall conservation with strategies like rainwater capture and graywaterGraywater is untreated household waste water which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Graywater typically includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-washer and laundry tubs, though definitions may vary. Some states and local authorities also allow kitchen sink wastewater to be included in graywater. Project teams should comply with the graywater definition established by the authority having jurisdiction in the project area. reuse (these strategies are documented as an alternative compliance path in LEED Online). Careful attention to fixture selection and flow rates can help projects achieve 20% or greater interior water savings at minimal cost and without compromising comfort.
Follow these key steps
- Determine Full Time Equivalent (FTEFull-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant who spends 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) in the project building. Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per day divided by 8 (or hours per week divided by 40). Transient Occupants can be reported as either daily totals or as part of the FTE. Residential occupancy should be estimated based on the number and size of units. Core and Shell projects should refer to the default occupancy table in the Reference Guide appendix. All occupant assumptions must be consistent across all credits in all categories.) occupancy and Fixture Usage Groups.
- Determine the Baseline Case Water Use Budget for Indoor Water Use.
- Choose fixtures and water reduction or reuse strategies.
- Estimate the project’s water usage by creating a Design Case Water Use Budget.
- Use the LEED Online credit form to compare the baseline and design case water budgets to determine the water reduction percentage for the project.
- Complete the LEED Online credit form and upload water fixture cut sheets.
In the example illustrated in this bar chart, 21% savings is achieved by looking for savings in the fixtures that use the most volume of water: toilets, urinals, and showers. This example assumes 1.28 gpf toilets, 0.5 gpf urinals, and 2.0 gpm showers. Sinks are a less likely target because baseline use is already very low in many cases.
Only some water uses are under the LEED scope
Project teams often assume that if a water fixture or process on their project uses water, then it must fall under the scope of this credit. However, only specific "regulated" fixtures fall under the scope. The following uses, among others, are not within the credit scope. Following efficient practices is a great idea for these uses, but it's simply not covered under the scope here.
- "Process" water
- Pot- or bucket-filling sinks
- Bidets
- Laboratory sinks
- Dishwashers and other appliances
Key guidance from USGBC
Since LEED 2009 was launched, USGBC has developed and updated a key guidance document for WEp1 calculations: Water Use Reduction Additional Guidance. It provides indispensable guidance for fixture groups, total daily uses calculation, dual flush toilet flow rates, public metering faucet flow rate conversion, non-potable waterPotable water meets or exceeds EPA's drinking water quality standards and is approved for human consumption by the state or local authorities having jurisdiction; it may be supplied from wells or municipal water systems. use alternative compliance path and gender ratio guidance.
For example, this document provides key guidance on when a non-default male-female gender ratio is appropriate—essentially, modifications to the 50:50 ratio must be shown to apply for the life of the building, with specific exceptions allowed.
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A question of scope
As of an addenda issued in May 2011, USGBC has clarified the scope of this prerequisite for addition projects. For additions to existing buildings, only the fixtures within the project scope must be counted for WEp1. To earn points under WEc3, all fixtures necessary to meet the needs of occupants using the addition must be included, including those located within the preexisting building.
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FAQs for Water Use Reduction
Will the reviewers accept a spreadsheet as a plumbing fixture schedule in lieu of the plans from the Construction Documents?
A copy of the plumbing fixture schedule from the project's construction documents, outlining detailed information for each flush and flow fixture specified (including fixture manufacturer, model number and flow rate) helps the review team verify that those fixtures are part of the construction contract. In the absence of such documentation, a copy of project-specific specifications and details or a project-specific contractor’s submittal with manufacturer’s cut sheets highlighting flush and flow rates for each fixture specified can be provided.
In LEED review comments I've been referred to the Water Use Reduction Additional Guidance document. I didn't know this was a required reference document.
USGBC originally created this guidance document to address common questions project teams encountered when documenting WE credits. The calculations in these forms are fairly complex and are generally not addressed in the reference guide. The guidance document is intended to guide the user through the process of filling out the form, but is not intended to create any new requirements.
Should I include bar sinks? What about mop sinks or janitor sinks? Swimming pools? Safety showers? Bidets? Tub spouts?
If the bar sinks installed have a similar usage pattern and are similar fixture type as for those in kitchens then these should be included.
Mop sinks, janitor sinks, swimming pools, bidets, and safety showers are considered process waterProcess water is used for industrial processes and building systems such as cooling towers, boilers, and chillers. It can also refer to water used in operational processes, such as dishwashing, clothes washing, and ice making. and are not included. Consider only the showerhead and not the tub spout.
Additionally, commercial kitchen sinks and bar sinks including pot sinks, prep sinks, wash down, and cleaning sinks are considered process water and are not included.
However, pre-rise spay valves must be considered. If your project is registered after the 11/1/2011 addenda release then the pre-rinse spray valve flow rate must be 1.6 gpm or less in order to comply with the prerequisite. If your project has a pre-rinse spray valve that has a higher flow rate than 1.6 gpm, then the project is not in compliance and the pre-rinse spray valve would need to be revised in order to be eligible for LEED certification.
We provided showers to comply with the alternative transportation credit. Should they be considered in WEp1 calculations?
Yes. Once you enter the project occupancy the WEp1 form calculates the default daily FTE shower uses.
If those fixtures are outside the LEED Project Boundary, they should only be included if your project is LEED-CI, however.
Can you explain the 12-second duration for metering faucets?
This duration is intended to prevent LEED projects from claiming credit for reducing the duration below 12 seconds; durations less than 12 seconds are not permitted for LEED calculations as shorter intervals are insufficient for typical hand washing
Can I use a nonpotable water source to contribute to WEp1 compliance?
Yes. Although the focus is water efficiency of the installed fixtures, onsite sources of nonpotable water such as captured rainwater, graywaterGraywater is untreated household waste water which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Graywater typically includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-washer and laundry tubs, though definitions may vary. Some states and local authorities also allow kitchen sink wastewater to be included in graywater. Project teams should comply with the graywater definition established by the authority having jurisdiction in the project area., air conditioner condensate, cooling tower bleed off water, etc., can be applied via an alternative compliance path. Refer to the Water Use Reduction Additional Guidance document for further information.
Our project does not have any eligible water fixtures in the project boundary. Can we comply with WEp1?
Yes, per LEED InterpretationLEED Interpretations are official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project. They help people understand how their projects can meet LEED requirements and provide clarity on existing options. LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED Interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. LEED Interpretations are published in a searchable database at usgbc.org. #10214: "A project without eligible water fixtures in the LEED-NC project boundary is exempt from WEp1. Should such a project wish to pursue points under WE Credit 3, they may do so by evaluating WEc3 performance based upon all of the fixtures that are necessary to meet the needs of the project occupants, even if they are located outside the project boundary."
We are having trouble finding EPAct-compliant fixtures. Is that a problem?
Not for individual fixtures. You only have to meet the LEED requirements for your fixtures as a group.
Where can I find a clear meaning of "public" and "private" as relevant to lavatory faucets?
Private usePrivate use applies to plumbing fixtures in residences, apartments, and dormitories, to private (non-public) bathrooms in transient lodging facilities (hotels and motels), and to private bathrooms in hospitals and nursing facilities. applies to plumbing fixtures in residences, apartments, and dormitories, to private (non-public) bathrooms in transient lodgingLodging are facilities that provide overnight accommodations to customers or guests, including hotels, motels, inns and resorts. facilities (hotels and motels), and to private bathrooms in hospitals and nursing facilities. Any fixtures that are not in one of those more residential-focused situations are considered to be public fixtures.
Our project is a factory with historically a 95% male workforce. The restroom design accounts for this. Can I argue that the male/female gender ratio is different than 50/50?
LEEDuser has seen numerous comments on our forums suggesting that reviewers are providing little leeway for situations like this, even in a case just like you describe. Even a 10% bump toward women to account for possible future trends was not deemed sufficient. At this point (February 2013), LEEDuser is not aware of clear guidance on when a nonstandard gender ratio would be accepted, nor are there any applicable LEED Interpretations for LEED 2009 projects. If you have any relevant experience on this, please let us know!
Are shower duration controls an acceptable water-saving strategy?
LEED assumes a baseline of 300 seconds for a shower, and LEEDuser has heard of review comments rejecting controls that would shorten this duration for the design case. A CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide or LEED Interpretation would likely be needed to make a case.
Can I include process water savings in order to earn an Exemplary Performance point?
Yes—refer to LEED Interpretation #5819, issued 8/31/2004 and modified 4/1/13 to apply to NC-v2.2 and NC-v2009 projects. Quoting the relevant text from LI #5819: “A whole building approach to process water must be used (including washing machines, dish washers, drinking fountains, cooling towers, etc.) The project must demonstrate a process water savings that is equal to or greater than 10% of the regulated water usage as calculated in WEc3. The project should obtain information on the average amount of water use for each type of equipment to determine an appropriate baseline and demonstrate that the increased efficiency compared to the baseline exceeds the 10% WEc3 threshold. Required submittals for this innovation would include: 1) A narrative explaining what strategies were used and how the baseline was developed. 2) Calculations demonstrating performance compared to the baseline. 3) Cut sheets showing water usage of equipment used.”
NC projects have also had success using Schools WEc4 as an ID credit. Also see LEED Interpretations #808 (issued 7/8/2004) and #5752 (issued 5/13/2005) for some history on this issue. You can also earn an EP point for 45% savings under the Water Use Reduction credit, but it appears, based on the most recent ruling, that the 45% savings should be based on regulated (non-process) fixtures alone.
Legend
- Best Practices
- Gotcha
- Action Steps
- Cost Tip
USGBC
Excerpted from LEED 2009 for Core and Shell Development
WE Prerequisite 1: Water use reduction
Required
Intent
To increase water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems.
Requirements
Employ strategies that in aggregate use 20% less water than the water use baseline calculated for the building (not including irrigation).
Calculate the baseline according to the commercial and/or residential baselines outlined below1. Calculations are based on estimated occupant usage and must include only the following fixtures and fixture fittings (as applicable to the project scope): water closets, urinals, lavatory faucets, showers, kitchen sink faucets and pre-rinse spray valves.
Commercial Fixtures, Fittings, and Appliances Current Baseline (Imperial Units) Current Baseline (Metric units) Commercial Toilets 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf)*
Except blow-out fixtures: 3.5 (gpf)6 liters per flush (lpf)
Except blow-out fixtures: 13 lpfCommercial Urinals 1.0 (gpf) 4 lpf Commercial Lavatory (Restroom) Faucets 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm) at 60 pounds per
square inch (psi), private applications only (hotel
or motel guest rooms, hospital patient rooms)
0.5 (gpm) at 60 (psi)** all others except private
applications
0.25 gallons per cycle for metering faucets8.5 liters per minute (lpm) at 4 bar (58 psi),
private applications only (hotel or motel guest
rooms, hospital patient rooms)
2.0 lpm at 4 bar (58 psi), all others except
private applications
1 liter per cycle for metering faucetsShowerheads 2.5 (gpm) at 80 (psi) per shower stall **** 9.5 lpm at 5 bar (58 psi) For projects with commercial pre-rinse spray valves, the flow rate must comply with the asME a112.18.1 standard of 1.6 gpm or less.
Residential fixtures, fittings, and appliances Current baseline (imperial units) Current baseline (metric units) Residential toilets 1.6 (gpf)*** 6 liters per flush (lpf)
Except blow-out fixtures: 13 lpfResidential lavatory (bathroom) faucets 2.2 (gpm) at 60 psi 4 lpm
8.5 lpm at 4 bar (58 psi), private applications only
(hotel or motel guest rooms, hospital patient rooms)
2.0 lpm at 4 bar (58 psi), all others except private
applications
1 liter per cycle for metering faucetsResidential kitchen faucet Residential showerheads 2.5 (gpm) at 80 (psi) per shower stall**** flow rate ≤ 6.1 lpm
(no pressure specified; no performance requirement)* EPAct1992 standard for toilets applies to both commercial and residential models.
** in addition to Epact requirements, the american society of Mechanical Engineers standard for public lavatory faucets is 0.5 gpm at 60 psi (2.0 lpm at 4 bar (58 psi)) (asME a112.18.1-2005). this maximum has been incorporated into the national uniform plumbing Code and the international plumbing Code.
*** EPAct 1992 standard for toilets applies to both commercial and residential models.
**** residential shower compartment (stall) in dwelling units: the total allowable flow rate from all flowing showerheads at any given time, including rain systems, waterfalls, bodysprays, bodyspas and jets, must be limited to the allowable showerhead flow rate as specified above (2.5 gpm) per shower compartment, where the floor area of the shower compartment is less than 2,500 square inches (1.5 square meters). for each increment of 2,500 square inches (1.5 square meters) of floor area thereafter or part thereof, an additional showerhead with total allowable flow rate from all flowing devices equal to or less than the allowable flow rate as specified above must be allowed. Exception: showers that emit recirculated nonpotable waterNonpotable water: does not meet EPA's drinking water quality standards and is not approved for human consumption by the state or local authorities having jurisdiction. Water that is unsafe or unpalatable to drink because it contains pollutants, contaminants, minerals, or infective agents. originating from within the shower compartment while operating are allowed to exceed the maximum as long as the total potable water flow does not exceed the flow rate as specified above.
The following fixtures, fittings and appliances are outside the scope of the water use reduction calculation:
- Commercial Steam Cookers
- Commercial Dishwashers
- Automatic Commercial Ice Makers
- Commercial (family-sized) Clothes Washers
- Residential Clothes Washers
- Standard and Compact Residential Dishwashers
Potential Technologies & Strategies
WaterSense-certified fixtures and fixture fittings should be used where available. Use high-efficiency fixtures (e.g. water closets and urinals) and dry fixtures, such as toilets attached to composting systems, to reduce water demand. Consider using alternative on-site sources of water (e.g. rainwater, stormwater, and air conditioner condensate) and graywaterGraywater is untreated household waste water which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Graywater typically includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-washer and laundry tubs, though definitions may vary. Some states and local authorities also allow kitchen sink wastewater to be included in graywater. Project teams should comply with the graywater definition established by the authority having jurisdiction in the project area. for nonpotable applications such as custodial uses and toilet and urinal flushing. The quality of any alternative source of water used must be taken into consideration based on its application or use.
Technical Guides
Energy Policy Act of 1992 and amendments
Pages 62-69 of this legislation set federal standards for plumbing fixtures.
Energy Policy Act of 2005
The Energy Policy Act (EPA) addresses energy production in the United States. One example, the Act provides loan guarantees for entities that develop or use innovative technologies that avoid the by-production of greenhouse gases.
LEED 2009 Water Use Reduction: Additional Guidance
This document from USGBC offers guidelines to help you properly set up fixture usage groups in the LEED Online credit form, avoiding common mistakes associated with the water-efficiency prerequisite and credit.
Web Tools
WATERGY version 3.0
WATERGY is a spreadsheet model that uses water/energy relationship assumptions to analyze the potential of water savings and associated energy savings.
EPA Water Information links
This website offers links to state and regional water information.
Water Studies
This site provides a number of studies related to water.
Organizations
Alliance For Water Efficiency
AWE advocates for water-efficient products and programs and provides information related to water conservation.
EPA Office of Water
The Office of Water coordinates EPA's efforts to protect drinking water, oceans, watersheds and other aquatic ecosystems.
American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association
This organization promotes rainwater catchment in the U.S.
Oasis Grey Water Policy Center
Oasis Design, a maker of graywaterGraywater is untreated household waste water which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Graywater typically includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-washer and laundry tubs, though definitions may vary. Some states and local authorities also allow kitchen sink wastewater to be included in graywater. Project teams should comply with the graywater definition established by the authority having jurisdiction in the project area. systems, maintains this compilation of graywater laws and other resources on the regulation of graywater use.
Product Cut Sheets
Carefully research products and examine cut sheets to find fixtures and fittings meeting the credit requirements, as shown in these examples.
Samples
Design Submittal
Documentation for this credit can be part of a Design Phase submittal.
WEp1 LEED Online Form
This sample form for WEp1 is from a real project whose name was changed on the form. (Note that WEp1 was achieved for this project even though this sample displays that the form was not completed.)
LEED Online Forms: CS-2009 WE
The following links take you to the public, informational versions of the dynamic LEED Online forms for each CS-2009 WE credit. You'll need to fill out the live versions of these forms on LEED Online for each credit you hope to earn.
Version 4 forms (newest):
Version 3 forms:
- WEp1: Water Use Reduction
- WEc1: Water Efficient Landscaping
- WEc2: Innovative Wastewater Tech.
- WEc3: Water Use Reduction
These links are posted by LEEDuser with USGBC's permission. USGBC has certain usage restrictions on these forms; for more information, visit LEED Online and click "Sample Forms Download."
LEEDuser is produced by BuildingGreen, Inc., with YR&G authoring most of the original content. LEEDuser enjoys ongoing collaboration with USGBC.
155 Comments
Tenant lease clauses
If our project has a water reduction of 30% but is not installing any urinals or kitchen taps, what clauses should be included for the tenant? Should the tenant be obliged to install fixtures and fittings that, whenever calculated together with the fixtures we have installed, retain that 30% reduction?
Hello all,
Can anyone help out with this? We are very confused as to what condition should be set for the tenants.
Many thanks for your help!
BLOW OUT FIXTURE
Do I have to use the 3.5 gpf for baseline and installed blow out fixture if installed fixture is lower than 1.6 gpf. (3.5 gpf seems to be a mandatory requirement if fixture, tipically blow out fixture, is higher than 1.6gpf).
If so can I use 1.6gpf for baseline case and the installed value (lower than 1.6 gpf) for installed case?.
If not, if we had to employ 3.5gpf both for baseline and for insalled case, it is a very hard (nearly imposible without using nonpotable waterNonpotable water: does not meet EPA's drinking water quality standards and is not approved for human consumption by the state or local authorities having jurisdiction. Water that is unsafe or unpalatable to drink because it contains pollutants, contaminants, minerals, or infective agents. reuse) task to comply with 20 % savings due to the higher amount of water required for flush fixture in relation to flow fixture water reqeuirtement ( up to 10/1th ) and even imposible if building roof areaRoof area is the area of the uppermost surface of the building which covers enclosed Gross Floor Area, as measured when projected onto a flat, horizontal surface (i.e. as seen in Roof Plan view). ‘Roofs’, or portions of roofs, covering unenclosed areas (e.g. roofs over porches and open covered parking structures) are not included in the areas used to evaluate compliance with SSc7.2, though they may be applicable to SSc7.1. is not big enough to collect rain for nonpotable uses.
And as 20% is a Prerequisite it would be not posible to certify a small roof surface building if blow out fixture are used.
Here in Spain Blow out fixture can have tipical values of 1.6-2.3 gpf and smaller and are required by local rules when it is required to reduce water use in public WC instead of water closet WC!!
Hi Oscar,
Unless manufacturer data indicates that the fixture is considered a blow-out water closet, then it appears that the fixture you describe is a typical / conventional water closet with a 1.6 gpf baseline.
The problem is that technically it is really a blow out fixture (it works by means of water pressure instead than by gravity ) not a water closet (they have no tank) but related to water consumption values it is nearer to a water closet with 1.6gpf than to a LEED baseline blow out fixture with 3.5 gpf and above all at least here in Spain, they are even required by local regulation to great consumers (Health centers, Great office buildings, etc..) as a mean to reduce water consumption instead of water closet but LEED certification does not take this water reduction into account for blow fixture and so penalize its use and makes very hard to comply with the WEP1 Prerequisite (specially in high office buildings in urban sites with high compacity and so with small roof areaRoof area is the area of the uppermost surface of the building which covers enclosed Gross Floor Area, as measured when projected onto a flat, horizontal surface (i.e. as seen in Roof Plan view). ‘Roofs’, or portions of roofs, covering unenclosed areas (e.g. roofs over porches and open covered parking structures) are not included in the areas used to evaluate compliance with SSc7.2, though they may be applicable to SSc7.1.)! All this seems not to be very coherent.
Tenant Neutral Calculations
On the project CS project I am working on which is a mixed-use building, some fixtures will be built out by the owner and some will be fit out by future tenants.
As many others have stated Project Owner's are sometimes reluctant to put performance requirements in the tenant lease agreement. As a result, we are looking at the "Tenant Neutral" Option.
My question is if Tenant Neutral is selected, we have to input the expected tenant usage per EPA Baseline. In this case, is this total usage amount (from tenant fixtures) excluded from water calculations?
If that is not the case, then to achieve an overall 20% water use reduction, the fixtures in the Owner work scope would have to achieve a greater reduction rate in order to make up for the "lack of reduction" from the tenant fixtures. Correct?
I would appreciate any guidance anyone can provide.
Thank you.
Hello Nathan,
No, with the “Tenant Neutral” option the total water usage amount from future tenant fixtures is not excluded from water calculations. For spaces where you anticipate that tenants will install additional water fixtures and fittings, you will need to document the design case using the LEED 2009 baseline water usage rates.
For spaces where the LEED Core & Shell project scope includes the installation of water fixtures and fittings (the Owner’s scope of work is known), use actual water usage rates to document the design case. Therefore, yes, the fixtures in the Owner work scope will have to achieve a greater reduction in order to make up for the "lack of reduction" from the tenant neutral/baseline fixtures.
In this case you will need to include two different usage groups, one for the future tenant group and another for the Owner installed fixtures.
Minimum implementation of sanitary fixtures
Is there a minimum implementation of sanitary fixtures? We have a project where only the administration area will install the fixtures and the rest of the leased spaces will be left regulated by the tenant lease agreement.
Gabriela, no, but make sure you review CS Appendix 4 from the LEED Reference Guide to understand how to handle the tenant spaces.
Bathtub - WEp1
I am working on a multi-residential building. Every apartments includes one bathtub. Are these calculated as Shower or ignored in the water use calculation?
The faucets associated with filling the bathtub are not included in the WEp1 calcualtions; however, if any of the tubs include a shower then this shower fixture would need to be included.
Kitchen Faucet
The building what we are certifying does not have kitchens or canteen. It only has pantry/breakout areas wherein people have snacks and beverages. There are sink in the Pantries which is accesible to the FTEFull-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant who spends 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) in the project building. Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per day divided by 8 (or hours per week divided by 40). Transient Occupants can be reported as either daily totals or as part of the FTE. Residential occupancy should be estimated based on the number and size of units. Core and Shell projects should refer to the default occupancy table in the Reference Guide appendix. All occupant assumptions must be consistent across all credits in all categories.. Will this sink qualify as Kitchen sink or can be excuded.
Rumi, the designation for a fixture is based on its function, not its location. If the fixture in question is basically treated like a kitchen faucet, and is one, then it should be counted that way.
Retail FTEFull-time
Retail FTEFull-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant who spends 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) in the project building. Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per day divided by 8 (or hours per week divided by 40). Transient Occupants can be reported as either daily totals or as part of the FTE. Residential occupancy should be estimated based on the number and size of units. Core and Shell projects should refer to the default occupancy table in the Reference Guide appendix. All occupant assumptions must be consistent across all credits in all categories. is for 8 hour shifts, so if the business has 12 hours open to the public do I use a value of 1.5 x the FTE value to arrive at a value to use when defining the usage of the plumbing fixtures?
James, 1 FTEFull-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant who spends 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) in the project building. Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per day divided by 8 (or hours per week divided by 40). Transient Occupants can be reported as either daily totals or as part of the FTE. Residential occupancy should be estimated based on the number and size of units. Core and Shell projects should refer to the default occupancy table in the Reference Guide appendix. All occupant assumptions must be consistent across all credits in all categories. = 1 person working for 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week. How many shifts you have in a 12-hour day depends on your specifics.
Faucet Flow Duration
When calculating for a low-flow fixture, it is required to enter a duration (which is default set to 30 seconds). There is a footnote that says "Duration may be modified for special circumstances". I have no idea what this means. It makes sense that a metered faucet would have a duration, but a low-flow fixture just runs for as long as needed (probably like 12-15 seconds each use). When I calculate total water reduction with low-flow fixture duration set to 30 seconds, I do not hit the 20% reduction needed for the prerequisite. But when I change the duration to 15 seconds, I can hit the 20%. Is it ok for me to change the duration?
Hi Kevin,
The lavatory duration should be listed in the form calculations as a 30 second duration, as outlined in the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction, 2009 Edition (Updated June 2010) Addenda (WEp1 posted 2/2/2011).
If you have a metering type / autocontrol lavatory faucet, the duration may be set to as low as 12 seconds; in this case you will have to convert from GMP to GPC as outlined in the Water Use Additional Guidance document on the USGBC website (http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=6493).
Hope helpful!
Carlie- Thanks for the response. I am still unclear why 30 seconds is the duration... this seems like a long time for water to be running. Regardless, I know I can set the duration to 12 seconds with a metering type faucet, but I am unclear as to what you mean by an autocontrol faucet? Can this be just any type of hand sensor activated faucet, or does it have to be one of the types that runs for a specific period of time once activated? Thanks again for the help.
Kevin - this would include either an autocontrol faucet with metering control (dispense water for a pre-determined period of time) or automatic fixture sensor (motion detector).
kitchen faucets
We completed the Design Submittal when there was no tenants = no information on their fit-out space. Right now, one of our clients want to include additional tea room with kitchen sink. Do they need to instal water efficient kitchen faucet, even though this is not a part of Core and Shell scope?
Hi Alicya,
Check the LOL form for this credit.
If there are water fixtures included in the tenant work, they may be either included in the lease agreement or calculated as neutral (same as the baseline).
I hope this helps,
Showers for SSc4.2
Hi,
I have doubts regarding showers for bicycle racks calculations for WEp1. In theory only certain group of office staff will use them, so should I create a specyfic extra group (in table WEp1-2 - fixture group definition) of FTEFull-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant who spends 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) in the project building. Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per day divided by 8 (or hours per week divided by 40). Transient Occupants can be reported as either daily totals or as part of the FTE. Residential occupancy should be estimated based on the number and size of units. Core and Shell projects should refer to the default occupancy table in the Reference Guide appendix. All occupant assumptions must be consistent across all credits in all categories.`s only for showers (i.e. 5% of all FTEs)? The same problem refer to toilets is shower space.
Does anyone have an idea or experience what will be the best solution?
Best,
R.
No need to create a separate fixture group for the FTEFull-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant who spends 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) in the project building. Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per day divided by 8 (or hours per week divided by 40). Transient Occupants can be reported as either daily totals or as part of the FTE. Residential occupancy should be estimated based on the number and size of units. Core and Shell projects should refer to the default occupancy table in the Reference Guide appendix. All occupant assumptions must be consistent across all credits in all categories. shower use in Table WEp1-2 - Fixture Group Definition. Fixture groups are meant to define different occupant groups (i.e. office, warehouse, retail, etc.) within the building that use a specific subset of flow and flush fixtures. If the project occupants have similar usage patterns, one fixture usage group should be used to represent the entire occupancy. The form will automatically calculate the daily usage rates for the plumbing fixtures entered in the Fixture Group when the group is assigned to each fixture.
Completing WEp1 Form Without Fixtures Specified
I am having trouble completing the WEp1 form. Since there won't be any fixtures installed as part of this C&S project, there is no fixture schedule to upload. Compliance will be shown on the lease agreement, which I have uploaded to the credit form. However, even with the lease agreement uploaded, the form is still showing an "N" for compliance because the schedule isn't uploaded. Since I do not have a schedule to upload, how do I get around this and complete the form to show a "Y"? Or can I just submit as-is with the lease agreement uploaded and showing "N" with and explanation under special circumstances? Can a project even be submitted with prerequisites showing "N"? Would appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks
One though would be to provide a “Plumbing Fixture Maximum Schedule” which succinctly lists out the LEED-applicable fixtures and the set maximum allowed flush/flow rate (i.e. "Water Closets: All installed water closets must have an average flush rate of XX gpm or less...") and then also provide a cut sheet of an example product which meets that criteria. Having that extra document would make it really clear to your review team and would help reinforce that you've set a realistic maximum for your tenants (i.e. there are fixtures available at/below that noted flush/flow rate). Then your WEp1 Prerequisite Form calculations will reinforce that, when all your tenants follow those lease requirements, the building will definitely achieve at least the minimum 20% reduction as required. Making this extra document wouldn't be a completely extra/wasted effort as you could build that document into the WEp1/WEc3 section of your Tenant Guidelines and help strengthen your SSc9 submission at the same time.
In any case, you can definitely submit with the WEp1 Prerequisite Form still displaying a “N.” After you submit it, reviewers are still able to review it and either award/pend it based on your other documentation regardless of whether that box actually says "Y" or "N". That box is more a tool for us to confirm that we've gone through all of the necessary sections/provided all of the necessary documentation.
public non-potable water
Hi,
WEc1 Water Efficient Landscaping allows the use of "water treated and conveyed by a public agency specifically for nonpotable uses" for the water saving calculations. Is the same strategy valid for WEp1 Water Use Reduction and related credits?
Thanks in advance,
According to LEED InterpretationLEED Interpretations are official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project. They help people understand how their projects can meet LEED requirements and provide clarity on existing options. LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED Interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. LEED Interpretations are published in a searchable database at usgbc.org. 1551, use of treated wastewater supplied by a municipality cannot be applied to WEp1 and WEc3 (LEED NC). This alternate water source can be used to contribute to the landscape irrigation credit.
Site-derived nonpotable waterNonpotable water: does not meet EPA's drinking water quality standards and is not approved for human consumption by the state or local authorities having jurisdiction. Water that is unsafe or unpalatable to drink because it contains pollutants, contaminants, minerals, or infective agents. can be used to contribute to WEp1 and WEc3. See http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=6493
sanitary installations within tenant fit-out
Hello
Our current core&shell project does not include sanitary installations, which will only be built at tenant fit-out stage. LOv3 for core&shell produces generic data based on our tenant recommendations. However these are not binding. Can anyone clarify this procedure?
Hi Jens,
If your CS project does not include any regulated plumbing fixtures in the scope of work then I believe you would be exempt from WEp1 but cannot achieve any points under WEc3. However, if you want to achieve points under WEc3 for the LEED CS building then you will need to have a binding Tenant Sales and/or Lease Agreement.
Please see the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction, 2009 Edition (Updated June 2010) Core and Shell Appendix 3 and 4 for additional information on the options available.
Hope helpful!
toilets and urinals with fluximeters
according to the picture you see on the books for pre-requisites, I want to know if there is any restriction of use of toilets and urinals with fluximeters, or just in all cases require only that do not exceed 1.6 gallons per discharge.
Hi Ronald,
There is no restriction on the use of flush meter valves used on water closets urinals. Note that the baseline for water closets is 1.6 gpf and for urinals is 1.0 gpf and you are correct that you cannot exceed these flush rates; however, to demonstrate compliance with the prerequisite (minimum 20% reduction over EPAct) you will likely need to consider lower flush rates on these fixtures.
Hope helpful!
Partial tenant occupancy with no core water fixtures
I am working on a project where there are no core spaces and all of the fixtures will be provided by the tenants. The building owners have signed a contract to fill half of the building with tenant spaces and the tenants agreed to the 20% water reduction. The question that I have is how do you account for a portion of the building that still has no occupancy regarding accounting for them for this credit. The calculated FTEFull-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant who spends 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) in the project building. Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per day divided by 8 (or hours per week divided by 40). Transient Occupants can be reported as either daily totals or as part of the FTE. Residential occupancy should be estimated based on the number and size of units. Core and Shell projects should refer to the default occupancy table in the Reference Guide appendix. All occupant assumptions must be consistent across all credits in all categories. for the building is 24, but the signed tenants only have 9 FTE. Does the empty space receive the rest of the 15 FTE to equal 24? And should the empty space require to have baseline fixtures attached to them? How should that be accounted for?
Thanks.
WEp1 & c3 lav fixtures
We are employing 0.5 gpm lav fixtures with sensors and timed cut off at 10 seconds. Can we factor those to 0.125 gpm because the average use will be say 20 seconds?
Hi Charles,
As outlined in the Water Use Additional Guidance document on the USGBC website (http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=6493) the default duration for a metering type / autocontrol faucet is 15 seconds for the baseline and 12 seconds for the design case; durations less than 12 seconds are not permitted for LEED calculations as shorter intervals are insufficient for typical hand washing. (e.g. a 0.5 gpm lav at 12 seconds would equal a 0.10 gpc metering fixture).
Hope helpful!
LEED Form L-8 for WEp1 CS
Where can we find this?
Thanks
The upload L-8 has nothing to do with WE. It is a linked upload of building sections or interior elevations for IEQ c 8.1 and 8.2 (daylight and views). Within the prerequisit, there is no such form.
thanks,
So when they ask in the WEp1 form to upload L-8. Provide a narrative - what do we do?
Sorry I have no idea what the upload L-8 stands for. Could it be they (who is "they"?) mean L-6: Tenant Sale and Lease Agreement because some of the fixtures are in tenant scope of work?
Sorry,
I have been referring to the LEED online form on WEp1. I guess that the L-8 is a typo. And, L-6 (where does this come from? is this tenant guidelines) seems sort of reasonable for an upload.
Different showers in Wellness / Fitness Center
Within a typical fitness center including a sauna there are different types of showers.
1. The "normal" showers located near the changing rooms an lockers.
I assume every visitor uses this shower bevor leaving the center, although they are visitors. according to LEED transients are not expected to take a shower.
2. "Special" showers within the sauna area
Between the different sauna sessions users will take a short mostly cold shower. Do I also have to count for that. In comparission to swimming pools I would define this "special" showers as process waterProcess water is used for industrial processes and building systems such as cooling towers, boilers, and chillers. It can also refer to water used in operational processes, such as dishwashing, clothes washing, and ice making..
Does anyone agree or disagree to my opinion?
WEp1 - Total Daily Usage Rates
The comment has come up for several project so far and know that this partiualr problem is going to keep coming up in upcoming projects. We have a building that has one unisex restroom, and the LEED review comment was that the Total Daily Usage Rates needs to be adjusted accordingly. I know how to calculate the total daily usage, however my problem is this by how much do you change the usage by? For example we have two building where this has come up, one building had a only one other urinal while the second building had 12 urinals. How do you justify how much you change the daily usage? Is there a standard for this type of adjustment.
Thanks
Cutsheet Translation
Our project is In Italy and most of the cutsheets, certifications and declarations that we have are written in Italian and not in English.
Do we have to traslate all the documentation or we can just write an introductive narrative that contains the main informations?
Thanks in advance.
Alessio, this is a bit of a gray area, but it's my understanding that a narrative like you describe, perhaps with some annotations that explains where the relevant information is on the cutsheets, would suffice.
Minimum tenant Agreement Specs for Core and Shell
What would be the absolute minimum that a LEED CS tenant agreement would have to specify to get some level of LEED certification?
WEP1 is the first hurdle - to get 20% water reduction you'd have to have a list of plumbing fixtures.
Minimum energy performance may be handled in my case by local code, which specifies International Energy Code, roughly equivalent to ASHRAE 90.1. Otherwise you'd have to specify ASHRAE 90.1.
In a "cold dark shell" you might have to specify minimum insulation levels.
What else?
Refer to Appendix 4: Tenant Lease or Sales Agreement in the LEED-CS Reference Guide and the documentation Toolkit under SS Credit 9: Tenant Design and Construction Guidelines.
LEED CS Tenant Agreements - Required?
If I understand correctly, if the Core and Shell developer isn't providing plumbing fixtures, then the tenant agreement is essentially required by LEED to dictate plumbing fixtures. My client is stuck on this point. I'd love to have some examples of successful tenant leases that specify certain LEED items. Particularly if they are actually condos, where the space is sold. For some reason my client thinks there is no way to tell a condo owner how to build their building. Please PM me if you can share any such example from a past project.
Hi Lawrence,
I apologize for the error in the previous post here. The information regarding unfinished spaces is applicable to whole building rating systems only, such as NC. Tenant Design and Construction Guidelines are not required for CS projects unless the project is pursuing SSc9. Appendix 3: LEED for Core & Shell project Scope in the Core and Shell 2009 rating system may be helpful for communicating the CS project's scope to the reviewer. Refer to LEED CS Appendix 4: Tenant Lease and Sales Agreement within the Reference Guide for more information regarding the situation where a developer may enforce system requirements through a sales agreement or tenant lease. Also refer to the LEEDUser discussion of Appendix 4 here: http://www.leeduser.com/topic/cs-v3-appendix-4-tenant-lease-or-sales-agr...
On further study of CS Appendix 4 in the LEED BD+C 2009 guide, it looks like if the developer is not providing plumbing fixtures, then that would still required to be in a tenant sales agreement. I don't see any other way to comply with WEp1 - am I understanding this right? Since my developer client is reluctant to put requirements in the tenant sales agreement, I will encourage him to just give them an efficient toilet, surely they wouldn't object to a requirement to use something that is free.
If the developer is not providing plumbing fixtures under LEED CS, is my understanding correct that this forces us to use a tenant sales agreement in order to get WEp1?
Or am I beating my head against a wall that would be better served by using precertification?
Have you had a chance to download the latest version of the CS WEp1 form from LEED Online v3? There's a sample version available under the Sample Forms Download. The form outlines 4 options for prerequisite compliance: In Scope, Tenant Work, Tenant Lease and Sales Agreement, and Tenant Neutral. If the tenant sales and/or lease agreement(s) option is chosen, the agreement must contain binding language specifying maximum water usage rates of all fixture and fitting types that may contribute to water use reduction when installed, and do not exceed the LEED 2009 baseline water usage rates claimed in the performance calculations.
If your client does not want to put requirements in the tenant sales agreement, then there are other options for prerequisite compliance.
All indoor water is outside of project owner scope
I'm trying to figure out how to document compliance with WEp1 and WEc3. I'm dealing with a situation where all indoor water use is part of the tenant build-out. There are no public restrooms in the building, and all fixtures in lavatories are within tenant spaceTenant space is the area within the LEED project boundary. For more information on what can and must be in the LEED project boundary see the Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs) and LEED 2009 MPR Supplemental Guidance. Note: tenant space is the same as project space. and specified by the tenants. Has anyone else encountered a situation where all indoor water falls outside of the owner scope?
I looked through CIRs, but couldn't find any similar situations. I'm trying to figure out whether this is a situation where you may claim the LEED points because you have no usage, or whether having no indoor water usage prevents our project from meeting this prerequisite. Adding a public restroom to the design purely to suffice this prerequisite and credit seems to violate the intent of the LEED system, by consuming more building materials unnecessarily.
I'd appreciate any insight anyone has on this topic. Thanks so much.
You would have to provide a Tenant Lease or Sales Agreement per CS Appendix 4 in the Reference Guide. I am going through this same issue; it is not clear if the Lease must be signed or if the owner can sign a certification letter when there is not a tenant yet. LEED InterpretationLEED Interpretations are official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project. They help people understand how their projects can meet LEED requirements and provide clarity on existing options. LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED Interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. LEED Interpretations are published in a searchable database at usgbc.org. #10102 has additional guidelines, though it is conflicting whether it applies to CS or not. Note that according to this Interpretation, the Lease Agreement can meet WEp1 but you cannot gain any points for WEc3. Perhaps someone else can clarify on some of these questions?
Additionally, if your CS scope is too limited, you could consider a CS Precertification in lieu of the full process.
Appendix 4 in the reference guide states that when documenting compliance with Case A credits (WEp1, WEc3), project teams should treat anticipated tenant work as neutral. I am in a situation then, where all indoor water use is neutral, since all indoor water use is within tenant fit-out space.
The tenant lease agreement is an option for CS, but not mandatory. However, in this case, would a tenant lease agreement need to be a requirement to comply with WEp1?
I agree, Curt, I think we still need more clarification on this subject.
In your case, you would need to provide a Tenant Agreement to meet WEp1, since you are installing no fixtures and must prove a 20% reduction from baseline somehow. Others may not need the Agreement. For example, if your core scope installed most (but not all) fixtures, and you could meet 20% savings treating future fixtures as neutral, then the Agreement would not be needed.
Tenant Lease or Sales Agreement
Is there any way to complete a legally binding document when there is no tenant identified? If I am constructing a building, but not installing fixtures, then an agreement is required. But if there is no tenant yet, the agreement cannot be completed. The owner can only sign a document promising to put that language in the future lease. Are there any legal options for this, or anything the GBCI will accept? Or is the scope of my project simply too small to go LEED? Thanks!
Curt, I think your question is cleanly addressed by CS Appendix 4, Case A, in the LEED BD&C Reference Guide.
Defining usage groups for tenant scope fixtures.
Hi everyone,
I'm working on an office building in which efficient bathrooms will be installed as part of the Core and Shell scope. On the other hand, tenants may or may not install plumbing fixtures in their spaces. From what i've read on this forum, if this is the case, we should consider tenant fixtures as neutral.
1.The problem lies in that we don't know how many fixtures will the tenant install, and by many people each of this bathrooms will be used. Therefore, it has been difficult to define the usage groups, in order to include the potential neutral fixtures in the template. Any idea on how to do this?
2. With our clients, we have explored the possibility of offering the tenants efficient fixtures as part of the deal, therefore ensuring the use of efficient fixtures in tenants spaces. But even though, without knowing who the tenants are and how many fixtures they would like to install, these tenant spaceTenant space is the area within the LEED project boundary. For more information on what can and must be in the LEED project boundary see the Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs) and LEED 2009 MPR Supplemental Guidance. Note: tenant space is the same as project space. bathrooms wouldn't be reflected in the floor plans, making us think that reviewers might get confused. Any past experience in cases such as this one?
Thanks for your help
Hola Luis Miguel,
Me queda una duda. ¿Tu proyecto es todo Core and Shell o lo consideras como NC y sólo una parte de renta?
Suponiendo que fuera CS completamente, tienes que ajustarte al CS Appendix 1: Default occupancy counts (pág. 611 de la guía 2009) en la totalidad de tu edificio.
Suponiendo que fuera NC con una parte de renta, tendrías que tomar esta misma guía para calcular los ocupantes sólo en las áreas de renta para determinar los usuarios que no puedes definir con información del cliente.
No importa que cantidad de muebles de baño tengas, ya que si te fijas, en los cálculos de la forma de LEED Online no te piden ingresar un número de muebles de baño, sino de usuarios. A través de esto se calcula la cantidad de agua utilizada, ya que existan o no muebles sanitarios instalados, estas personas tendrán que usar estos servicios en algún lugar del edificio.
Te sugiero crear un Reglamento de Inquilinos donde se estipule que cualquier mueble de baño instalado por ellos debe cumplir con los parámetros de eficiencia que LEED exige.
¡Saludos!
If your Project was considered entirely as CS, you’d have to stick to CS Appendix 1: Default occupancy counts (p. 611 LEED GBD&C 2009 Reference Guide) in your entire building.
If your project is registered as NC with a secluded CS area, you would have to take the same occupancy considerations for the CS space only, as you can’t define them directly with your client.
It doesn’t really matter the quantity of fixtures you have. If you search in the LEED Online form for WEp1, there’s no need to include the number of fixtures, but the number and description of occupants. Through this number you can calculate the amount of water used, because even if there weren’t “enough” water closets, people would still use sanitary fixtures the same number of times.
I suggest creating an Enforceable lease agreement or Tenant Guidelines Document in the tenant contract that integrates the specification for flow and flush fixtures to be installed.
Hi Nadia, thanks for your answer!
The project is a CS project, where the scope is common areas in the building.For the project we already have the expected occupancy counts, so we don't have a problem with that.
On the other hand, I know that the credit template doesn't ask for the numbre of fixtures. What I was talking about is that if we knew how many fixtures tenants will install in their spaces, it would be easier to define usage groups. ie: If the project had 100 FTEs, 7 bathrooms in the CS scope, and 3 bathroom in the tenant areas, I could define 2 usage groups, one with 70 people using CS bathrooms, and one with 30 people using tenant bathrooms.
Since I don't know the number of bathrooms installed by tenants, it's harder to define usage groups, and how many people will be on each of them. Any idea?
Finally, we might end up using the lease agreement for this credit, but we want that to be the last resort.
Thanks!!
Private or Public Restrooms?
I'm working in a LEED CS Warehouse:non-refrigerant building, the project is divided in 2 main areas: office and warehouse. The restroom area is accesible for both areas, but within the office we have 3 restrooms, 2 of them only accesible for the office employees and 1 lockable restroom with a single occupancy (the 3 of them with the same fixtures as the rest of the restrooms), should I create a new fixture group for this restrooms? Is there any Reference about hot to choose Public or Private?
Furthermore we are using sensor facuets, this force me to choose public faucets when I'm filling the form.
Sounds to me like all your bathrooms are public in that more than one person - employee or visitor - can use that toilet. See other forums for WEc3 or WEp1 for more conversations on private toielts definitions.
Troubles filling the template
Hi,
I'm working on a urban office building and have some troubles filling the template:
- We will have automatic sensor for lavatories: how can I take it in consideration? Should I only have to put (IPCInternational Plumbing Code/UPCUniform Plumbing Code) conventional and the flow rate? If so, the percent reduction is very bad.
- We will also have shower temporized to less than 300 seconds but if I change this duration, the percent reduction of water is lower: How should I take it in consideration?
Thanks in advance for your help.
I recommend reviewing the Water Use Reduction Additional Guidance document—I think that will answer your questions, or at least get you further along.
Thanks Tristan,
I've already read it before but didn't have seen the answer for my first question about the automatic sensor. But know I saw it and I've my answer. Thanks.
But for the shower, I still don't find the answer!
Occupancy Fitness Center
Has anyone of experience in including a fitness center m to an office building.
One of the tenants of our Project will be a fittness center. All fit outs will be done by the tenants. The owner will only be responsable for the core & shell.
Has anyone experiency to calculate the occupancy of a fitness center.
There are three aspects I identfied:
1. Peak occupancy
Peak occupancy can be defined by ASHRAE 62.1 table 6.1
2. Avarage occupancy
The center will not allways be fully occupied over the whole day. Has anyone an idea about a realistic percentage (e.g. 60%)?
3. Avarage abode time of an user
A visitor of a fittness center is supposed to stay only for a short time (e.g. 1-2 hours). Every visitor is expected to use the shower and mayby WC or Urinal. Has anyone an idea about realistic adobe time of visitors.
My general approach is:
#Daily visitors = (peak occupancy x avarage occupancy) x (abode time / opening hours)
Thank you very much.
Ralf, in specific project circumstances like this one, I typically recommend that you do your best to estimate the numbers based on what you know about the fitness centers in this case, any similar centers, and reasonable guesses. In my experience, LEED is not likely to pick apart these numbers too much, since the numbers will be the same for the baseline and design cases.
If you are claiming savings from rainwater or graywaterGraywater is untreated household waste water which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Graywater typically includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-washer and laundry tubs, though definitions may vary. Some states and local authorities also allow kitchen sink wastewater to be included in graywater. Project teams should comply with the graywater definition established by the authority having jurisdiction in the project area. usage, then getting a handle on the real amounts of water used is more important, however.
Flow restrictors / aerators documentation
Hi all!
I would like to ask about documenting flow rates for aerators used in projects.
1) Is there some specific requirement that the aerator needs to comply with or is a manufaturer's declaration on its flow rate sufficient? I do not have it in english so I need to translate it yet. Question is if it is enough?
2) I think it doesn't need to be WaterSense certified yet, does it?
3) Are there any requirements on testing methods to determine flow rate?
Thanks for your opinions...
Petr
Petr, the manufacturer's specifications should be sufficient for documentation. Watersense is not required, and there is no specific testing protocol.
Greywater and WEpr1 Template Calulations
In completing the form for WEpr1, I noticed that there is no way to acknowledge/take advantage of our projects use of greywater. Oh sure WEcr2 allows us to take advabtage of greywater usage. Just seems strange that the WEpr1 calcs does not also include greywater. I am guessing that the logic is that WEpr1 is all about getting design teams to pick lower flow fixtures and reserving WEc2 and WEc3 for design options that reduce/replace potable waterPotable water meets or exceeds EPA's drinking water quality standards and is approved for human consumption by the state or local authorities having jurisdiction; it may be supplied from wells or municipal water systems. with greywater. Your comments and thoughts would be appreciated.
I noticed samething that WEpr1 & Cr 3 has nothing to do with grey water. The key steps above seems to consider grey water in calculation. A bit confused. Am I missing anything?
You can use graywaterGraywater is untreated household waste water which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Graywater typically includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-washer and laundry tubs, though definitions may vary. Some states and local authorities also allow kitchen sink wastewater to be included in graywater. Project teams should comply with the graywater definition established by the authority having jurisdiction in the project area. and rainwater to get credit under WEp1 but you have to do it as an alternative compliance path. The focus on the main documentation is on fixture efficiency.
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