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Follows directly from EAc2.1
You can’t pursue EAc2.2 without first having EAc2.1 in your pocket. In the first credit, EAc2.1, the project team determines possible energy conservation measures. In the second credit, EAc2.2, the project team implements all of those energy efficiency measures identified as low-cost and no-cost. These might include things like replacing T12 lamps with T8 lamps, reprogramming building system controls, and reconfiguring building system set points.
Projects that pursue EAc2.1 generally always pursue EAc2.2 as well. Pursuit of this credit directly supports increased energy savings and thus helps earn points under EAc1: Optimize Energy Efficiency Performance.
Provide staff training
Staff training is the second piece of this...
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25 Comments
5 Year Window and ASHRAE audit v. Cx
All - I always thought that they 5-year exception to the performance period rules on pg. 172 of the reference guide could likely be used for either option, commissioning or the ASHRAE Level II. But, word on the street is that it is intentionally limited to the ASHRAE option, and if you are using Option 1: Commissioning, the cx1. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. 2. The process of checking the performance of a building against the owner's goals during design, construction, and occupancy. At a minimum, mechanical and electrical equipment are tested, although much more extensive testing may also be included. activities have to fall within the normal maximum 2 year performance period.
Just wanted to spread the word, since this was news to me.
See EA 2.1 comment thread here on LEED USER. Comments are probably in the wrong place but take it from a team that got rejected for that strategy - we had to go back in the 30 days between reviews and perform a full Level II. Talk about missing the "intent"
Training Program?
Any suggestions on a source for templates that can be used to document a staff training program? I am actually working with LEED EB v2.0, EAc3.1. Thanks!
in addition to the actual LEED online template, I mean...
I have a the same question. Any suggestion on outlines and content for effective training programs wold be helpful.
The Californina Commissioning Collaborative has a template that can be used to document staff training. The training plan documentation template includes the training topic, who should receive the training, what the training consists of, when or how often the training should occur and who completed the training and date completed.
Benificial topics of the trainings may include:
SITE MANAGEMENT
PURCHASING
WASTE MANAGEMENT
GREAN CLEANING
REFRIGERANT MANAGEMENT
ENERGY AUDITING
COMMISSIONING
OCCUPANT HEALTH & PRODUCTIVITY
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. CONSUMPTION
Attendees of the trainings should include employees and contractors involved in major aspects of the the building operations and maintenance.
Hope this helps!
Items to be implemented for EAc2.2
It is clear that the low cost/no cost items uncovered during the investigation phase in EAc2.1 must ALL be implemented to satisfy the requirements of EAc2.2.
My Question: Must ALL of the low-cost/no cost items discovered as part of the ASHRAE Level I assessment in EAp1 also be implemented for EAc2.2?
Ruairi, typically the EAc2.1 audit and the EAp1 audit would be the same process, so yes, both measures would be implemented.
Tristan, sorry I should have clarified that I meant the retro Cx1. Commissioning (Cx) is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. 2. The process of checking the performance of a building against the owner's goals during design, construction, and occupancy. At a minimum, mechanical and electrical equipment are tested, although much more extensive testing may also be included. option under EAc2.1 and not the Lev II audit.
The EAp1 Level I audit would typically not be part of the EAc2.1 Retro Commissioning process and the types of low cost items included in the EAp1 audit would not neccessarily be major energy using systems operational improvements, e.g. "install vending misers on vending machines" verses "implement fan static pressure reset strategy"
The credit intent is:
To implement minor improvements and identify planned capital projects to ensure that the building’s major energy-using systems are repaired, operated and maintained effectively to optimize energy performance.
So my question remains, do you need to implement all low cost items identified in EAp1, particularly the ones that are not major building energy using systems operational improvements in order to satisfy the requirements of the Commissioning Credit EAc2.2?
The owner determines what is considered to be low-cost. So let them set the benchmark and any low-cost item you uncover during your retro-commissioning process that is within the owner's limit must be implemented.
This strategy has worked for me on previous LEED EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. projects.
Recertification
I am unclear as to what the recertification requirements would be for a project that obtained this credit with the original certification about a year ago. The program allows use of a level 2 energy audit done with the last 5 years to qualify for EAc2.1, which means it appears that we can use the audit done with the original certification for recertification. Do the measures that were identified in this audit and implemented with the original certification still count for recertification? Do we need to identify and install new no/low cost measures? What if no new no/low cost measures are found as the building hasn’t changed much in the last year?
Scott,
I am unclear what you mean by recertify. The building is only required to recertify every 5 years. At this point a new ASHRAE Level II Audit would have to be performed.
Understood that recertification isn't required for 5 years, but it is an option to do so every year. The building owner in this case would like to recertify after one year in an attempt to obtain Silver certification as opposed to the basic certification level that was originally received.
commissioning performance period
This is for a 1st time EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. project (not recertification).
If Six Sigma Projects were initiated 5 years prior to LEED registration but implemented every year thereafter until the present time:
1) Will LEED allow the projects to be part of the submittals for EAc2.1, 2.1 and 2.3?
or
2) Just the projects within 2 years before end of performance period?
We are considering going the on-going commissioning route instead of ASHRAE Level II Audit which is limited to EAc2.1 and 2.2.
I think you will need to document projects conducted during the Performance Period.
Hi Tristan,
Just for clarification, do you mean that we can include the Six Sigma projects that were executed during the performance period, or that the commissioning - investigation (EAc2.1) should be initiated during the performance period?
Hope to hear from you.
thanks,
Pabs
...just to add, full implementation of the Six Sigma program runs up to 2011, and began in 2006 since the building is occupied and minimum disturbance to occupants is a consideration. Projects were sequential upgrades of aircon equipment from chillers, to ahu1.Air-handling units (AHUs) are mechanical indirect heating, ventilating, or air-conditioning systems in which the air is treated or handled by equipment located outside the rooms served, usually at a central location, and conveyed to and from the rooms by a fan and a system of distributing ducts. (NEEB, 1997 edition) 2.A type of heating and/or cooling distribution equipment that channels warm or cool air to different parts of a building. This process of channeling the conditioned air often involves drawing air over heating or cooling coils and forcing it from a central location through ducts or air-handling units. Air-handling units are hidden in the walls or ceilings, where they use steam or hot water to heat, or chilled water to cool the air inside the ductwork.'s, to fans, to maintenance improvements and monitoring equipment, as well as another system upgrade due this year.
Staff Training Completion
We were just reviewing the requirements for this credit dealing with staff training when a question popped up:
Does the staff training program require that the building staff received 24 hours of training prior to credit submittal or just that a training program be in place for the 12 month period beginning with the performance period and extending past the credit submittal date?
The key requirement here is that the training program should be in place during the performance period. Does that answer your question?
EAc2.1 and EAc2.2 performance periods and compliance
Hi,
What if a building has already implemented several energy conservation measures (low and High cost) in the last year but no commissioning plan was in place at that time (and no LEED in their minds)... can the project pursue EAc2.1 and prepare a commissioning plan with a performance period of three months and EAc2.2 with a performance period of 1.5 years, noting that the measures were implemented before the plan was in place? Must both performance periods have to match for these 2 particular credits? Is retrospective commissioning possible?
Thank you
Unfortunately, I think the performance periods do have to match. The LEED EBO&M process is tricky and requires us to look at the building as it stands now. This credit specifically asks the user to implement the cost saving measures found during the EAc2.1 investigation.
However, if any of the previous cost saving measures are operational changes they may help with other credits. Additionally, if they are saving you energy they will get you points under EA1 with a higher energy star score.
Thank you Pierce.
Building O&M Training
Has anyone attempted this credit and used either of the two resources listed (ASRHAE or other)? Aside from the 24 hours per year per person requirement, the GBOM Reference Guide is fairly vague on O&M training topics. What are some topics besides sustainable operations (too broad) and energy efficiency? Can this training overlap with IAQIndoor air quality: The quality and attributes of indoor air affecting the health and comfort building occupants. IAQ encompasses available fresh air, contaminant levels, acoustics and noise levels, lighting quality, and other factors. Manager Training, Cooling Tower Water Managment Training, and Green Cleaning Training?
Hi John, I agree that "sustainable building operations" is rather vague. In past projects, we have interpreted this requirement as focusing the staff training with the intent that changes made as a result of Commissioning or Energy Audit activities will not be reversed during normal building operation. In particular, staff should understand and have a working knowledge of any Functional Test Protocols, implementation of energy efficiency measures and improvements, along with the commissioning process in general. To your point, this often includes IAQIndoor air quality: The quality and attributes of indoor air affecting the health and comfort building occupants. IAQ encompasses available fresh air, contaminant levels, acoustics and noise levels, lighting quality, and other factors. Management components and cooling tower water management protocols.
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