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A smorgasbord of requirements
This credit requires compliance with a varied group of requirements that cumulatively help keep pollutants out of the indoor air. These requirements include self-closing doors on janitors' closets, MERVMinimum efficiency reporting value. 13 filtration on mechanical equipment, and entryway trackoff systems.
Compliance will require the coordination of team members—including the mechanical engineer, architect, plumbing engineer, and contractor—and also impact project design and operations. The basic requirements are:
- Permanent entryway walk-off systems at least 10 feet long (up from 6 feet in previous versions of LEED) at all...
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8 Comments
hazardous liquid storage / green cleaning?
Speaking of hazardous liquids, if our project wishes to pursue an ID credit with green cleaning (use of non-toxic cleaning products and practices), can we claim in this credit that since there will be no hazardous liquids on the building, containing those rooms (by means of full height partitions, self-closing door hardware, and negative pressurization) will not be necessary. The project will still satisfy the other components of the credits with the walk-off mat and mervMinimum efficiency reporting value. 13 filters.
What do you think?
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Feb 08 2010
Great idea! It seems as though you would be meeting the intent.
However, I think this is an uphill battle. Here's why:
Will you really be using 100% nontoxic products for the life of the building? It sounds like your intention is to follow the requirements of LEED-EBOM IEQc3.3: Green Cleaning—Purchase of Sustainable Cleaning Products and Materials to earn the ID point. However, to earn that credit you have to hit only a 30% threshold for sustainable products.
There may specific cleaning situation that calls for the use of a conventional cleaning chemical that justifies the need for the IEQc5 requirements.
Or you may be able to guarantee sustainable products for the first year or two, but how can you guarantee that will always be the case? LEED tends to frown upon exceptions like this that may not hold up over time.
I don't mean to pour cold water on a good idea. I would at least get 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 before you commit to this path. Or just decide that the credit requirements don't match up with your building.
Exterior / Interior walk-off mats
We are looking to use a combined approach to the walk-off mat requirement utilizing a 5' of exterior walk-off grill and 5' interior mat. Does the exterior grille need to be covered completely by an overhang? I cannot seem to find the answer in the reference guide but I seem to recall it as a requirement for any outdoor grilles. Any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks!
Shannon Gray replied Consultant, YRG sustainability Feb 23 2010
Yes, it is my understanding that you must provide a cover for any outdoor walk-off mats. I don’t see any requirement for this in the reference guide either but we have always done so with our projects. It seems to make sense that you would need to.
Shannon
Leticia SooHoo replied enovity Feb 23 2010
I have gone through projects with no overhang for outdoor walk-off mats so I don't think it is a requirement. It will make sense to have some protection though.
MERV 13 filtration at Return air versus Recirculated Ari
There were a series of CIRs about use of MERVMinimum efficiency reporting value. 13 filtration at Fan Coil Units, Chilled Beams or Terminal boxes - based on a reading of the credit that requres return air to be filtered. These specific types of devices get their air from a central Air Handling Unit, but the latest CIRs stated that project teams need to further filter recirculated air at the space with MERV 13.
Has there been any recent clarification about this? I heard rumors that this was being considered by the USGBC, but have not heard any further clarification. As the rulings stand, no project with Active Chilled Beams can comply, since these devices recirculate some air to induce air movement, but are not available with MERV 13 filters.
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Mar 17 2010
No, I haven't heard anything more recent. Do you recall offhand what the most recent 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's were on this?
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Mar 19 2010
I confirmed that the TAGLEED Technical Advisory Group (TAG): Subcommittees that consist of industry experts who assist in developing credit interpretations and technical improvements to the LEED system. is working on this question, but given the TAG's current workload, a clarification isn't expected very soon.
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