-
Easy credit with LEED certification
If your project building has received a previous LEED certification under LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC), LEED for Schools, LEED for Healthcare, or LEED for Retail: NC, achieving this credit is a simple matter of providing the official LEED scorecard. If you can’t find it, ask USGBC for help.
LEED-CS and LEED-CI
Buildings certified under LEED for Core and Shell (LEED-CS) must also have at least 75% of the floor area certified under LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI). Buildings with LEED-CI certification only do not qualify.
The headquarters of StopWaste.org, 1537 Webster Street in Oakland, California earned LEED-NC Platinum in 2007. If the project pursued EBOM certification, as it is contemplating, it would have an easy point with SSc1. Photo – KEMA Services, Inc. Leveraging previous documentation
Application materials used for the initial LEED certification should be a source of some ready-to-use documents, such as manufacturer specifications and building plans. Be sure to leverage these project documents whenever possible during the recertification process.
More difficult for LEED-EBOM
Buildings that have already been certified under any version of the LEED for Existing Buildings rating system are now eligible for this credit, under an addendum. However, the process for documenting compliance is a bit unclear at this point and project teams may find it tricky.
Current guidance from USGBC indicates that SSc1 can only be pursued if the “recertification period” lasts for the entire length of time between the initial EBOM certification and the recertification application.
Unanswered documentation questions
It’s not clear whether this means that 100% of performance data has to be included in your recertification application, or whether ongoing performance must be tracked but only some portion of the data needs to be provided.
It’s also not clear how buildings that try to recertify under a new version of LEED-EBOM—which is likely to have different credits and different performance tracking requirements—would comply. Credits and requirements often change enough between rating system versions that your original tracking wouldn’t apply. See Addenda ID# 100001035, 100001037, and 100001038 for the official guidance issued by USGBC. LEEDuser will update the content on this site as additional information becomes available.
Legend
- Best Practices
- Gotcha
- Action Steps
- Cost Tip
Before the Performance Period
Expand All
Determine if the project building received previous certification under LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations (LEED-NC), LEED for Schools, LEED for Retail–NC, LEED for Healthcare, or LEED for Core and Shell (LEED-CS). If it did, assemble copies of the official USGBC LEED scorecard for credit documentation.
Buildings certified under LEED-CS must also have at least 75% of the floor area certified under LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI).
While most LEED-CS buildings have tenant guidelines in place that address green building practices, it is less likely that at least 75% of tenant spaces will actually be certified under LEED-CI.
If the building has not received previous LEED BD&C certification consider pursuing one of those LEED certifications if any major renovations are planned. Once that process is completed, you can pursue LEED-EBOM certification.
Work with the original design and construction team if possible to identify opportunities for optimizing building systems and operations during the recertification process.
Review the previous LEED scorecard with the current project team to prioritize LEED-EBOM credits.
There is little to no cost for pursuing this credit if the building has previously received LEED certification for its design and construction.
Projects often earn LEED-NC certification under one project name and register for LEED-EBOM under another name due to changes in ownership, tenants, or management. Addressing these inconsistencies by listing all relevant names in the credit documentation helps the LEED certification review team to properly review this credit.
Application materials used for the initial LEED certification should be a source of some ready-to-use documents, such as manufacturers' specifications and building plans. Be sure to leverage these project documents whenever possible during the recertification process.
The level of certification your project achieved previously doesn’t matter under SSc1. All four points are awarded for any level of certification, from Certified to Platinum.
Buildings that have already been certified under any version of the LEED for Existing Buildings rating system are eligible for this credit. However, documentation requirements for this path are not fully clear at this point. See the Bird's Eye View for additional information.
USGBC
Excerpted from LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance
COPYRIGHT © 2009 BY THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDSS Credit 1: LEED certified design and construction
4 Points
Intent
To reward environmentally sensitive building design and construction, thereby enabling high-performance building operations to be achieved more easily.
Requirements
Choose 1 of the following options:
OPTION 1
Show that the building has previously been certified under LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations.
OR
OPTION 2
Show that the building has been previously certified under LEED for Schools.
OR
OPTION 3
Show that the building has previously been certified under LEED for Core & Shell Development.
AND
At least 75% of the floor area has also been certified under LEED for Commercial Interiors.OR
OPTION 4
Show that the building has been previously certified under LEED for Retail: New Construction and Major Renovations.
OR
OPTION 5
Show that the building has been previously certified under LEED for Healthcare New Construction and Major Renovations.
OR
OPTION 6
Show that the building has previously been certified under any version of LEED for Existing Buildings and that ongoing performance has been tracked during the entire recertification period (from initial certification until the recertification application).
Potential Technologies & Strategies
Pursue and earn LEED certification for new buildings or major renovations.
Organizations
U.S. Green Building Council
Contact USGBC to obtain a final project scorecard if project team cannot locate it.
LEED Online Forms: EBOM-2009 SS
The following links take you to the public, informational versions of the dynamic LEED Online forms for each EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems.-2009 SS 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):
- SSc1: LEED Certified Design
- SSc2: Building Exterior & Hardscape Plan
- SSc3: IPM, Erosion, & Landscape Plan
- SSc5: Site Dev.—Protect or Restore Habitat
Version 3 forms:
- SSc1: LEED Certified Design
- SSc3: IPM, Erosion, & Landscape Plan
- SSc4: Alt. Community Transportation
- SSc6: Stormwater Quantity Control
- SSc7.1: Heat Island Effect—Non-Roof
- SSc7.2: Heat Island Effect—Roof
- SSc8: Light Pollution Reduction
These links are posted by LEEDuser with USGBC's permission. For more information, visit LEED Online and click "Sample Forms Download."
SSc1 LEED Online Form
This sample LEED Online form with annotations demonstrates how to document this credit.


26 Comments
Certified LEED CI project going for EBOM
Has anyone with a previously certified LEED CI Silver project (that occupies an entire building with a triple net lease) earn SS Credit 1 under the EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. rating system (since it was not certified under a BD+C rating system - NC, CS, or Schools)?
Its a newer building (occupied in 2010) where the developer and the tenant worked together -It was even the same MEP for both the base building and the interior fit out.
Just wondering if maybe the 75% floor space factor could hold up in an argument...
Michelle, I doubt there is much precedent for this, but I would suggest you make a case for it and see how it goes.
Thank you Tristan...I am submitting in January - I will keep you posted!
NC project schedule overlap with EBOM performance period?
I'm working with a project team that had planned to certify their facility under NC and follow immediately with a performance period for EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. certification. As the NC project progressed, the scope of work increased to the point of a critical schedule challenge. The tenant move-in date cannot change, so the additional work is posing a challenge to the timeliness of the NC completion.
One of the options under consideration includes overlapping the performance period with the NC project. A portion of the work that remains to be complete is exterior site work and would not affect the staff inside the building.
The second option is to stop increasing the scope of work on the NC and execute the additional work elements as facility modifications under the EBOM certification.
Does anyone have experience or an opinion on these strategies?
Thank-you
Tiffany, an interesting question. To simplify the whole process it would be easier to close the NC on the date of handover to the client (or when the occupancy certificate is issued). then open the LEED EB performance period and include the rest of the construction. Your performance period will, however, have to be one year as you'll need a years worth of energy consumption.
This method might mean you have to drop several credits in LEED NC, but you should be able to pick them up in the EB performance period. Don't overlap. That makes the process difficult to assess with 'what goes where' and will be a nightmare for the GBCI to unravel.
Performance Period over 1 1/2 years ago. Can we still submit?
I currently was contacted by a building owner (Hotel) to finish up the LEED certification. One of the issues was the original LEED consultant passed away and the building owner changed companies before they submitted the project. After getting the owner changed and me added to the project I noticed all the documents were complete with the exception of the EAP1, however after looking at the document I notice they qualified under the alternative path. Problem is the performance period is from Feb 2010 to Jan 2011. Can I still submit the project or do we need to restart the performance period to the current 3 months (min)?
Thanks for the input
Sandie,
I would say this is a special circumstance and that you should contact GBCI directly.
LEED Neighborhood Development
If a building is part of a LEED Neighborhood Development project does that count toward this point for EB:O&M?
Jessica, not currently, although I expect that will change in the future. Or you could submit a 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. if you want to push for it.
recertification detail - FYI
In a Nov. 2011 LEED addendum, the options for SSc1 have
broadened to encompass some of the newer LEED rating systems—LEED for
Retail and LEED for Healthcare—as well as recertification under EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems..
Under recertification, ongoing tracking is emphasized with the following
language: "This credit is available to LEED for Existing Buildings
projects that recertify using data from the entire recertification
period (the period from initial certification until recertification
application). It is not available to projects that certify once, stop
tracking performance, then certify again with a new, three-month
performance period."
Tristan, Thanks for the heads up on the addendum. I searched the interpretation/addendum data base and could not find this anywhere. Could you please direct me to the specific addendum?? (Reference ID#)
Thank You
James, for addenda I usually just use the PDF tables that USGBC provides here:
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=2200
You can find the item in this document:
https://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=18725
Note that while LEED-EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. projects may now be able to earn this credit, USGBC has left some documentation details unclear. See more discussion of this in the Bird's Eye View tab above.
Change the version of LEED - EB - O & M (V.2008 to v.2009)
To whom it may concern,
I have a question that I didn not find a solution in the credit-by-credit forum at this website.
I have a project LEED-EB-O&M registred in the V.2008 but our client wants to update to the V.2009. What is the appropriate procedure to go out about doing so?
Thanks.
Paola, you'll need to register the project at LEEDOnline.com. It will be a new registration with a new registration fee, and you unfortunately won't be able to retain any of your existing project information.
Hmm, I think there might actually be a path here that doesn't involve starting from scratch. Check this information out from GBCI regarding transfer from LOL v2 projects to LOL v3. Looks like you just need to pay whatever the additional fee for registering under 2009, not repaying the whole fee: http://www.gbci.org/main-nav/building-certification/leed-online/upgrade....
CS projects should have 75% of GFA to earn this credit?
75% of "leasable area" makes more sense here.
How do we communicate our suggestions to USGBC. Kindly let me know if there is a way.
You can contact USGBC via its website at USGBC.org.
If a building has received
If a building has received LEED-NC, or any type of LEED certification, how long do they have until they must apply for LEED-EB & OM?
Jose, a LEED-NC certified building is not required to pursue LEED-EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. certification, although it is encouraged.
If you do decide to apply for LEED-EBOM, there is no deadline from the date of occupancy. You do need 12 months of energy data to get a LEED-EBOM certification.
right to access checklist
Do tenants of buildings earning LEED EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. certification have any legal right to access the final leed checklist for the building they occupy? Does the building owner or manager have any right to restrict access to the checklist for the tenants?
Interesting question Joanna - I think the USGBC is probably the only organization who can give you a reliable answer. In general, the USGBC places a very high priority on protecting potentially confidential or proprietary information relating to buildings and their ownership, so I suspect they would not release a checklist without the consent of the owner/manager who was responsible for the certification project. Its unfortunate to imagine a scenario where an owner/manager would choose NOT to share that information with a tenant, as it's hard to imagine how it could reflect poorly on them, but I don't think the tenants would have specifically legal right to see that document.
Space Usage Types
I also wasn't sure where to ask this question. It might be worthwhile to have a general EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. topic for comments and questions not directed towards a specific credit or prereq.
Anyway, I'm starting an EBOM project on an office building that is 100% owner occupied. As I fill in the space usage information on LEED Online (under Occupant and Usage Data), I'm not certain if I list the space as 100% Office or if some of the space is considered "Circulation." What exactly is "Circulation" space? Also, if they have an IT room, is that considered "Data Center" space? Any other advice on the appropriate way to complete this information?
Thank you.
From what I've seen, most teams just focus on the major space types, so 100% office seems appropriate in your case. I would focus on having the entries here match what you will be reporting for space classifications in your energy benchmarking for EAp2/EAc1, which certainly wouldn't separate out circulation but might include a data center entry if it meets Energy Star's definition of a data center.
Hope this helps.
When does the Performance Period Start?
I am sorry about asking the question here, but I could not find anywhere else to ask it.
I am trying to figure out when the performance period starts. The definition in the "Introduction-Performance Period" is vague to me. Is it when I get data from the Building Manager? Start a walk through audit of the building? When I have my first meeting with the client?
Mark
There is no set time for the beginning of the performance period - each project determines that moment individually. The most useful way to think about when to begin your performance period is probably as the point at which the building is operating the way you intend it to operate from a sustainability standpoint. This would mean that all your policies are in place and implemented, any new equipment is installed and working properly, tracking systems are working, and your data is being generated appropriately. Basically you do everything you need to to 'green' the building, and then you begin your performance period to document the X months of operating green.
Start a new LEED comment thread