here is another post from the older LEED-HC forum

Q:    In regards to the following statement, as part of the MRc4.2 requirements:
    "Specify and use electrical wire and cable with lead content <300ppm" (pg. 189)

    1. Can anyone provide additional clarification as to the scope of this statement? For example, would electrical wire and cable include the following:
    - CCTV / CAT-5 wiring
    - Telecommunications wiring
    - Building Security System wiring
    - Fire Alarm System wiring
    - Medical equipment wiring, internal, external

    2. What is the best method of documentation? Does a product labeled as "100% lead free" comply, or is a cut sheet specifying the exact ppm of lead required? In instances where the cut sheet does not include lead content information, will a signed letter from the manufacturer suffice?

    3. "Lead used for radiation shieldingShielding is a nontechnical term that describes devices or techniques that are used as part of a luminaire or lamp to limit glare, light trespass, or sky glow. and copper used for MRI shielding are exempt from the requirements of this credit" (pg. 189) - Does this include both in construction (ex: walls) and also inside medical equipment (ex: large scale equipment that may contain lead within)?

    4. "Some equipment, such as relay contacts, may have minute amounts of hidden cadmiumA naturally-occurring element and source of pigments that were once a staple in paints, but now is largely phased out in architectural coatings except for certain specialty products. High exposure to cadmium can cause a variety of health problems, including kidney damage.; these uses are allowed" - Definition of 'minute amounts'/quantity of cadmium that is permissible?

  Answer:
    Great questions! In general, i would say that medical equipment is outside the questions you are asking. You can't control these decisions as a A/E professional.
    1. I would think that the CAT5, Telecom, Security and Fire Alarm wiring would also need to be compliant. However, I do think you would have a case for not including these items. Frankly, I can argue this one either way so let us know how this turns out.
    2. Usually documentation is either a cut sheet, product data or a signed letter. Since this is new, the manufacturer's will need to update their data sheets.
    3. Yes. A lot of radiology equipment is self shielding.
    4.I took this to acknowledge the heavy metal exists in these items and that there isn't much one can do about it. When you have a choice, specify the lower level or put a specific threshold in your spec.

Another answer:

    1. All wire and cable. The only exemption would be if a specific type of wire or cable is not available in a compliant form and an alternative is not available.
    2. Any of the forms is acceptable.
    3. The credit does not concern itself with medical equipment - only building uses. See the pilot credit library for opportunities related to medical equipment.
    4. Cadmium is only mentioned in relation to paints and coatings in the credit requirements. Other use is not a factor in the review of the credit application - although designers should not use it in applications where another material is equally effective. Lots of screws and bolts are cadmium plated and that use is never mentioned in the LEED Systems.

post on old forum

Before LEEDuser set up these credit-specific Healthcare forums, there was a general Healthcare forum on which this MRc4.2 question was posted. I am reposting the Q&A here for convenience:

Question:
       Per the LEED reference guide and LEEDonline signatory, copper piping joints can only be one of the following:
    - mechanically crimped
    - soldered in compliance to ASTMVoluntary standards development organization which creates source technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services B828 with flux in compliance to ASTM B813

    According to the above, is brazing allowed (brazing is none of the above)?

Answer:
    I believe that brazing is the process and solder is the material in the process. Does anyone know more about mechanical crimping? My questions to the plumbing engineers usually are answered with a 'we don't do that'. Is it a regional thing?
   
Reply:
    Soldering happens at 450 degrees C or below while brazing happens above 450 degrees C. Both ASTM B828 and ASTM B813 are only applicable to soldering.

    We received similar answers on mechanical crimping as well. The concern seems to be on joint strength.

Reply:
    Have you submitted this yet or called? I'm wondering if we aren't splitting hairs on the solder versus brazing. I've been rumbling this through my head and can't figure out a reason brazing isn't mentioned (and not allowed?) and it is in the MR section.
   
Reply:

    We received the following email from USGBC LEED HC Committee upon contact:

    "Brazing is not addressed explicitly one way or the other by the Rating System Requirements. You could take this lack of instruction either way: 1- brazing is allowed b/c it is not explicitly disallowed, or 2- brazing is not specifically allowed, thus it is not allowed to be used in any copper joint applications when pursuing this credit.

    However, if you look on page 191 of the LEED for Healthcare supplement it states: “Consider silver and other lead-free solder …”…so it is implied that the approach proposed in your inquiry (brazing w/silver) would be acceptable."

    It is still not very clear how this complies with one of the two criteria, but brazing is allowed.

Use as an Innovation Credit

Has anyone had success in using this as an innovation credit for a health care project (or any project) registered under LEED NC or LEED CI?