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LEED v2009
New Construction
Materials and Resources

Rapidly Renewable Materials

LEED CREDIT

NC-2009 MRc6: Rapidly Renewable Materials 1 point

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Credit achievement rate

XX%

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LEEDuser expert

Josée Lupien

LEED Fellow & WELL AP

Vertima inc.
President

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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Use rapidly renewable building materials and products for 2.5% of the total value of all building materials and products used in the project, based on cost. Rapidly renewable building materials and products are made from agricultural products that are typically harvested within a 10-year or shorter cycle.

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Cost estimates for this credit

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Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.

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Frequently asked questions

What building components are typically purchased with FSC content to earn this credit?

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We’re having trouble getting FSC wood within our budget. Can we use products with another forestry certification?

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Do I need to provide invoices for all of the new wood products purchased for the project, or just FSC wood products?

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I have supporting manufacturer documentation for the FSC wood used on our project. Is this enough to document this credit, or do I need invoices as well?

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Can products labeled “FSC Recycled” or “FSC Recycled Credit” contribute towards MRc7? What about "FSC Mix" percentages that refer to recycled content?

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Does FSC-certified wood automatically contribute to IEQc4.4 as a low-emitting material?

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We are using a lot of reclaimed wood. Should we include this in our MRc7 calculations? What about wood that is already installed on the project, in a renovation? What about wood products with recycled content?

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Does FSC-certified bamboo products count towards this credit?

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A product has FSC-certified veneer, but a non-certified core. Can we prorate the MRc7 contribution of this product based on the cost of the veneer?

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Should wood used on site features such as benches or a gazebo be included here?

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Is there a minimum quantity of wood that must be used on the project to qualify for this credit?

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How does this credit treat materials that come from animals such as wool or leather?

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What building components are typically purchased with renewable materials to reach the 2.5% credit threshold?

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A manufacturer is claiming that certain trees, e.g. balsa, acacia, mesquite, can be harvested within 10 years, and thus contribute to this credit. Is this acceptable?

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We are pursuing IEQc4.5 from LEED-CI as an ID credit. Are we then required to include the cost of furniture in MRc3–7?

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Addenda

4/8/2016Updated: 5/4/2016
Form Update
Description of change:
added ID+C example tab and additional instructions.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/15/2016Updated: 4/7/2016
Form Update
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
8/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
In the second line of the paragraph, replace "plants" with "agricultural products"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
8/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In the second line of the paragraph, replace "plants" with "agricultural products"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
5/9/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Note the following addenda under \'Calculating Materials Costs to Achieve MR Credits\' on page 337:Add the following after "...Furniture and Furnishings as long as this is done consistently across all MR credits.", "Exclude artwork, interior plants, and musical instruments."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
5/9/2011
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Are pews in a church classified as furniture if they are not permanently installed and therefore do not need to be included in credit calculations?

Ruling:

The pews can be excluded from the calculations. The inclusion of wood costs for MRc7 calculations only include permanently installed materials. Furnishings (Division 12) are not required to be included in this if excluded from all other materials costs calculations. Applicable internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/1/2012
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

When a LEED NC project attempts LEED CI Indoor Environmental Quality credit 4.5: Low Emitting Materials - Systems Furniture and Seating as an Innovation in Design strategy, are they required to include the furniture costs in Materials and Resources credits 3 thru 7?

Ruling:

No, LEED NC projects are not required to include furniture in their calculations for MR credit 3-7 if using low emitting furniture for an ID strategy. LEED Interpretation #3901 states that although furniture does not have a dedicated credit in the New Construction rating system "since furniture can have an effect on indoor environmental quality, projects that include furniture in the scope of work are eligible to apply for an innovation credit based on LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) IEQ credit 4.5, Low-Emitting Materials - Furniture." For project teams pursuing this credit as an ID strategy, the cost of the furniture is not required to me included in the total materials cost in Materials and Resources credits 3,4,5,6, or 7. The intention of this ID strategy is to easily reference a set of rigorous Indoor Environmental Quality requirements relating to furniture. While it is not required to include furniture in Materials and Resources credits project teams are encouraged to look for sustainable criteria synergies when purchasing furniture.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
8/28/2007
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

LEED-NC version 2.2 Rating System, MR Credit 7, Certified Wood, page 58 states: "Use a minimum of 50% of wood-based materials and products, which are certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council\'s (FSC) Principles and Criteria, for wood building components. These components include, but are not limited to, structural framing and general dimensional framing, flooring, sub-flooring, wood doors and finishes. --Only include materials permanently installed in the project." Is this regulation that narrows LEED credit achievement to permanently installed wood materials subject to any errata sheets, administrative rulings, interpretations, etc. that allow non-permanently installed wood materials to be included in the calculations of FSC certified wood for this credit? Also, assuming that the 50% required for credit achievement is met, please clarify 1. whether this point can be earned by including temporary wood products in the calculation of FSC certified wood products (in addition to the permanently installed wood products), and 2. whether this point can also be earned with achievement among the temporary wood products alone (without any FSC certified wood among the permanently installed wood products but by including the non-FSC-certified permanently installed wood products in the base amounts of wood products).

Ruling:

The inquiry is seeking clarification on whether temporary wood products may be included in the MRc7 calculation, and if so, whether the entire 50% of wood materials for the credit may be met by the temporary wood products. Per the LEED-NC v2.2 Reference Guide, First Edition October 2005, Errata Sheet posted November 17, 2005, as well as the LEED-NC v2.2 Reference Guide, Second Edition September 2006, "wood products purchased for temporary use on the project (e.g. formwork, bracing, scaffolding, sidewalk protection, and guardrails) may be included in the calculation at the project team\'s discretion. If any such materials are included, all such materials must be included in the calculation. If such materials are purchased for use on multiple projects, the applicant may include these materials for only one project, at its discretion." This credit is achievable through the temporary wood products alone, as long as all permanent wood products are also included in the wood total. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/22/2009
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

We are seeking clarification on MR 7 as related to the use of FSC bamboo plywood and FSC bamboo flooring products. Similar to hardwoods, bamboo forests are most sustainable when only 20 percent of the bamboo is harvested in any given year, leaving the forest canopy uncompromised and the ecosystem intact. Poorly managed bamboo forests have detrimental effects on the local economy and the environment. With demand increasing for this natural resource, FSC certification of bamboo sources ensures proper harvesting to protect the local economy and the environment. Smith & Fong's bamboo resource was certified by the European FSC-certifier Institut für Marktökologie (IMO), who evaluated the company's forestry practices and determined that Smith & Fong met the same FSC standards as tree forests. IMO also certified Smith & Fong's Chinese bamboo plywood and flooring plant. Domestically, SmartWood provided chain-of-custody (COC) certification for Smith & Fong's North American operations, enabling the company's FSC-certified products to be designated FSC Pure, as they are 100-percent FSC material from an FSC-certified forest and have been sold and/or processed by an FSC chain-of-custody certified company. Smith & Fong's COC numbers are as follows: Bamboo forest: IMO-FM/COC-027679 Bamboo plywood and flooring plant: IMO-COC-027681 North American operations: SW-COC-003124 Will bamboo that has the appropriate FSC and CoC documentation qualify for MR 7? Can bamboo that has the appropriate FSC and CoC documentation qualify for MR7 and MR6 in the same project?

Ruling:

The project team is seeking clarification as to whether or not bamboo can be considered a compliant material under the guidelines set forth in MRc7. The bamboo products in question have been harvested and sourced by companies that possess the necessary and current certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This proposal is consistent with the credit intent to, “Encourage environmentally responsible forest management”. In addition, bamboo is often used in many of the same applications as wood products, and is considered by the FSC to be a forest product despite its technical classification as a grass. Therefore, bamboo may be included in the calculations for both MRc6 and MRc7. If bamboo is added to the MRc7 calculations, all bamboo on the project (FSC or otherwise) must be accounted for in the value for all new wood-based components for the project. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
5/9/2011
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Is mesquite wood from the southwest is considered a rapidly renewable material? The tree can grow to maturity in 6 years.

Ruling:

Any source material which is typically regenerated within a ten-year cycle may be considered rapidly renewable. The submittal must include documentation from the wood supplier which describes their harvesting practices, and typical rate of harvest and regrowth.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/1/2012
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

When a LEED NC project attempts LEED CI Indoor Environmental Quality credit 4.5: Low Emitting Materials - Systems Furniture and Seating as an Innovation in Design strategy, are they required to include the furniture costs in Materials and Resources credits 3 thru 7?

Ruling:

No, LEED NC projects are not required to include furniture in their calculations for MR credit 3-7 if using low emitting furniture for an ID strategy. LEED Interpretation #3901 states that although furniture does not have a dedicated credit in the New Construction rating system "since furniture can have an effect on indoor environmental quality, projects that include furniture in the scope of work are eligible to apply for an innovation credit based on LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) IEQ credit 4.5, Low-Emitting Materials - Furniture." For project teams pursuing this credit as an ID strategy, the cost of the furniture is not required to me included in the total materials cost in Materials and Resources credits 3,4,5,6, or 7. The intention of this ID strategy is to easily reference a set of rigorous Indoor Environmental Quality requirements relating to furniture. While it is not required to include furniture in Materials and Resources credits project teams are encouraged to look for sustainable criteria synergies when purchasing furniture.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/17/2009
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Our project is a hotel in Manhattan. The hotel is committed to using rapidly renewable materials in the form of wool carpeting and PLA fabrics. PLA (polylactic acid) fabrics are biodegradable polyesters derived from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugarcane. The hotel is also planning to use leather on the headboards in all guestrooms and would like to determine if leather products should be included in the calculations. The LEED-NCv2.2 reference guide defines rapidly renewable materials as an \'agricultural product, both fiber and animal, that takes 10 years or less to grow or raise, and to harvest in an ongoing fashion\'. Can the leather be considered a rapidly renewable material? How does the USGBC determine which animal agricultural products are included? Are there established standards or restrictions that must be met by the industry (i.e. humane treatment, use of by-products of other industries, etc.)?

Ruling:

The project team is seeking clarification on the use of leather as a compliant material under the guidelines set forth in MR credit 6 regarding rapidly renewable materials. On page 411 of the LEED NC v2.2 reference guide "rapidly renewable materials" are defined as material considered to be an agricultural product, both fiber and animal, that takes 10 years or less to grow or raise, and to harvest in an ongoing and sustainable fashion. Although leather is an animal product, it is not deemed to be rapidly renewable as the leather material or hide may not be collected until after the death of the animal. An example an acceptable renewable animal source would be sheep\'s fleece. The fleece can be sheered from the animal without presenting harm to it nor does it prevent the animal from regenerating the material. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
10/1/2013
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

For retail projects, what items are considered casework and built-in millwork that must be included in the base building documentation (in MRc3-7 and IEQc4.4), rather than furniture?

Ruling:

There are typically two types of casework found in projects. The first is casework that is custom built – often from shop drawings – and specified in CSI Division 6. Included are custom millwork cabinets, countertops, custom desks, shelving, etc. These are base building (or real property) elements considered permanently installed. They may be assembled on or off-site.

The second type of casework is manufactured furniture. It is usually ordered from a catalog and found in the project specifications in CSI Division 12. These items are considered furniture and included in ID&C projects and only included in BD&C projects when they are consistently used in calculations. They are not base building items. Included in Division 12 are individual and group seating, open-plan and private-office workstations, desks, tables, storage units, credenzas, bookshelves, filing cabinets, and wall-mounted visual-display products (e.g., marker boards and tack boards). Items such as electronic displays and miscellaneous items, such as easels, mobile carts, and desk accessories are not included in the credits.

Sometimes furniture is semi-permanently attached using mechanical fastening systems due to operational use. These are not permanently installed and therefore are not base building elements. An example in a retail or hospitality setting would be a display that is bolted to the floor or moveable / semi-permanently-attached manufactured shelving. Consider these guidance definitions:

Permanently installed building product – in addition to those items that serve structural purposes, permanently installed building products are items that are affixed to the building without intention to be removed, either because the item is integral to the walls, ceiling, or floor, or removing the item will cause damage to building (i.e. real property vs. personal property). Examples include items found in CSI MasterFormat Division 6- Millwork as well as wall, floor, or ceiling finished such as ceramic tiles, or drywall, window and door frames (unless part of removable partitions, see definition for furniture), baseboards, siding, roofing, masonry, and permanently installed built in casework, such as shelving or countertops. Exceptions may exist for these examples.

Furniture - Items that are non-permanently affixed are considered furniture. This includes items that do not serve structural purposes and may be removed without damage to real property. Examples include desks, chairs, filing systems, retail displays, or removable partitions (including drywall and glass system partitions including doors) that can be readily removed and reused without damage to other partitions, ceilings, floors, or structure. Typically these items fall under CSI MasterFormat 2010 Division 12-Furniture, however some items may be specified in other divisions and there are exceptions to these examples.

Real Property – consisting of immovable portions of building. Distinguished from personal property. Items installed by tenants or for temporary use are considered personal property and not real property.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
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Checklists

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Documentation toolkit

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Credit achievement rate

XX%

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LEEDuser expert

Josée Lupien

LEED Fellow & WELL AP

Vertima inc.
President

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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Use rapidly renewable building materials and products for 2.5% of the total value of all building materials and products used in the project, based on cost. Rapidly renewable building materials and products are made from agricultural products that are typically harvested within a 10-year or shorter cycle.

XX%

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What building components are typically purchased with FSC content to earn this credit?

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We’re having trouble getting FSC wood within our budget. Can we use products with another forestry certification?

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Do I need to provide invoices for all of the new wood products purchased for the project, or just FSC wood products?

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I have supporting manufacturer documentation for the FSC wood used on our project. Is this enough to document this credit, or do I need invoices as well?

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Can products labeled “FSC Recycled” or “FSC Recycled Credit” contribute towards MRc7? What about "FSC Mix" percentages that refer to recycled content?

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Does FSC-certified wood automatically contribute to IEQc4.4 as a low-emitting material?

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We are using a lot of reclaimed wood. Should we include this in our MRc7 calculations? What about wood that is already installed on the project, in a renovation? What about wood products with recycled content?

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Does FSC-certified bamboo products count towards this credit?

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A product has FSC-certified veneer, but a non-certified core. Can we prorate the MRc7 contribution of this product based on the cost of the veneer?

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Should wood used on site features such as benches or a gazebo be included here?

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Is there a minimum quantity of wood that must be used on the project to qualify for this credit?

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How does this credit treat materials that come from animals such as wool or leather?

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What building components are typically purchased with renewable materials to reach the 2.5% credit threshold?

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A manufacturer is claiming that certain trees, e.g. balsa, acacia, mesquite, can be harvested within 10 years, and thus contribute to this credit. Is this acceptable?

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We are pursuing IEQc4.5 from LEED-CI as an ID credit. Are we then required to include the cost of furniture in MRc3–7?

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4/8/2016Updated: 5/4/2016
Form Update
Description of change:
added ID+C example tab and additional instructions.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/15/2016Updated: 4/7/2016
Form Update
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
8/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
In the second line of the paragraph, replace "plants" with "agricultural products"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
8/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In the second line of the paragraph, replace "plants" with "agricultural products"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
5/9/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Note the following addenda under \'Calculating Materials Costs to Achieve MR Credits\' on page 337:Add the following after "...Furniture and Furnishings as long as this is done consistently across all MR credits.", "Exclude artwork, interior plants, and musical instruments."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
5/9/2011
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Are pews in a church classified as furniture if they are not permanently installed and therefore do not need to be included in credit calculations?

Ruling:

The pews can be excluded from the calculations. The inclusion of wood costs for MRc7 calculations only include permanently installed materials. Furnishings (Division 12) are not required to be included in this if excluded from all other materials costs calculations. Applicable internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/1/2012
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

When a LEED NC project attempts LEED CI Indoor Environmental Quality credit 4.5: Low Emitting Materials - Systems Furniture and Seating as an Innovation in Design strategy, are they required to include the furniture costs in Materials and Resources credits 3 thru 7?

Ruling:

No, LEED NC projects are not required to include furniture in their calculations for MR credit 3-7 if using low emitting furniture for an ID strategy. LEED Interpretation #3901 states that although furniture does not have a dedicated credit in the New Construction rating system "since furniture can have an effect on indoor environmental quality, projects that include furniture in the scope of work are eligible to apply for an innovation credit based on LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) IEQ credit 4.5, Low-Emitting Materials - Furniture." For project teams pursuing this credit as an ID strategy, the cost of the furniture is not required to me included in the total materials cost in Materials and Resources credits 3,4,5,6, or 7. The intention of this ID strategy is to easily reference a set of rigorous Indoor Environmental Quality requirements relating to furniture. While it is not required to include furniture in Materials and Resources credits project teams are encouraged to look for sustainable criteria synergies when purchasing furniture.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
8/28/2007
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

LEED-NC version 2.2 Rating System, MR Credit 7, Certified Wood, page 58 states: "Use a minimum of 50% of wood-based materials and products, which are certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council\'s (FSC) Principles and Criteria, for wood building components. These components include, but are not limited to, structural framing and general dimensional framing, flooring, sub-flooring, wood doors and finishes. --Only include materials permanently installed in the project." Is this regulation that narrows LEED credit achievement to permanently installed wood materials subject to any errata sheets, administrative rulings, interpretations, etc. that allow non-permanently installed wood materials to be included in the calculations of FSC certified wood for this credit? Also, assuming that the 50% required for credit achievement is met, please clarify 1. whether this point can be earned by including temporary wood products in the calculation of FSC certified wood products (in addition to the permanently installed wood products), and 2. whether this point can also be earned with achievement among the temporary wood products alone (without any FSC certified wood among the permanently installed wood products but by including the non-FSC-certified permanently installed wood products in the base amounts of wood products).

Ruling:

The inquiry is seeking clarification on whether temporary wood products may be included in the MRc7 calculation, and if so, whether the entire 50% of wood materials for the credit may be met by the temporary wood products. Per the LEED-NC v2.2 Reference Guide, First Edition October 2005, Errata Sheet posted November 17, 2005, as well as the LEED-NC v2.2 Reference Guide, Second Edition September 2006, "wood products purchased for temporary use on the project (e.g. formwork, bracing, scaffolding, sidewalk protection, and guardrails) may be included in the calculation at the project team\'s discretion. If any such materials are included, all such materials must be included in the calculation. If such materials are purchased for use on multiple projects, the applicant may include these materials for only one project, at its discretion." This credit is achievable through the temporary wood products alone, as long as all permanent wood products are also included in the wood total. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/22/2009
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

We are seeking clarification on MR 7 as related to the use of FSC bamboo plywood and FSC bamboo flooring products. Similar to hardwoods, bamboo forests are most sustainable when only 20 percent of the bamboo is harvested in any given year, leaving the forest canopy uncompromised and the ecosystem intact. Poorly managed bamboo forests have detrimental effects on the local economy and the environment. With demand increasing for this natural resource, FSC certification of bamboo sources ensures proper harvesting to protect the local economy and the environment. Smith & Fong's bamboo resource was certified by the European FSC-certifier Institut für Marktökologie (IMO), who evaluated the company's forestry practices and determined that Smith & Fong met the same FSC standards as tree forests. IMO also certified Smith & Fong's Chinese bamboo plywood and flooring plant. Domestically, SmartWood provided chain-of-custody (COC) certification for Smith & Fong's North American operations, enabling the company's FSC-certified products to be designated FSC Pure, as they are 100-percent FSC material from an FSC-certified forest and have been sold and/or processed by an FSC chain-of-custody certified company. Smith & Fong's COC numbers are as follows: Bamboo forest: IMO-FM/COC-027679 Bamboo plywood and flooring plant: IMO-COC-027681 North American operations: SW-COC-003124 Will bamboo that has the appropriate FSC and CoC documentation qualify for MR 7? Can bamboo that has the appropriate FSC and CoC documentation qualify for MR7 and MR6 in the same project?

Ruling:

The project team is seeking clarification as to whether or not bamboo can be considered a compliant material under the guidelines set forth in MRc7. The bamboo products in question have been harvested and sourced by companies that possess the necessary and current certifications from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). This proposal is consistent with the credit intent to, “Encourage environmentally responsible forest management”. In addition, bamboo is often used in many of the same applications as wood products, and is considered by the FSC to be a forest product despite its technical classification as a grass. Therefore, bamboo may be included in the calculations for both MRc6 and MRc7. If bamboo is added to the MRc7 calculations, all bamboo on the project (FSC or otherwise) must be accounted for in the value for all new wood-based components for the project. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
5/9/2011
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Is mesquite wood from the southwest is considered a rapidly renewable material? The tree can grow to maturity in 6 years.

Ruling:

Any source material which is typically regenerated within a ten-year cycle may be considered rapidly renewable. The submittal must include documentation from the wood supplier which describes their harvesting practices, and typical rate of harvest and regrowth.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/1/2012
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

When a LEED NC project attempts LEED CI Indoor Environmental Quality credit 4.5: Low Emitting Materials - Systems Furniture and Seating as an Innovation in Design strategy, are they required to include the furniture costs in Materials and Resources credits 3 thru 7?

Ruling:

No, LEED NC projects are not required to include furniture in their calculations for MR credit 3-7 if using low emitting furniture for an ID strategy. LEED Interpretation #3901 states that although furniture does not have a dedicated credit in the New Construction rating system "since furniture can have an effect on indoor environmental quality, projects that include furniture in the scope of work are eligible to apply for an innovation credit based on LEED for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI) IEQ credit 4.5, Low-Emitting Materials - Furniture." For project teams pursuing this credit as an ID strategy, the cost of the furniture is not required to me included in the total materials cost in Materials and Resources credits 3,4,5,6, or 7. The intention of this ID strategy is to easily reference a set of rigorous Indoor Environmental Quality requirements relating to furniture. While it is not required to include furniture in Materials and Resources credits project teams are encouraged to look for sustainable criteria synergies when purchasing furniture.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/17/2009
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Our project is a hotel in Manhattan. The hotel is committed to using rapidly renewable materials in the form of wool carpeting and PLA fabrics. PLA (polylactic acid) fabrics are biodegradable polyesters derived from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugarcane. The hotel is also planning to use leather on the headboards in all guestrooms and would like to determine if leather products should be included in the calculations. The LEED-NCv2.2 reference guide defines rapidly renewable materials as an \'agricultural product, both fiber and animal, that takes 10 years or less to grow or raise, and to harvest in an ongoing fashion\'. Can the leather be considered a rapidly renewable material? How does the USGBC determine which animal agricultural products are included? Are there established standards or restrictions that must be met by the industry (i.e. humane treatment, use of by-products of other industries, etc.)?

Ruling:

The project team is seeking clarification on the use of leather as a compliant material under the guidelines set forth in MR credit 6 regarding rapidly renewable materials. On page 411 of the LEED NC v2.2 reference guide "rapidly renewable materials" are defined as material considered to be an agricultural product, both fiber and animal, that takes 10 years or less to grow or raise, and to harvest in an ongoing and sustainable fashion. Although leather is an animal product, it is not deemed to be rapidly renewable as the leather material or hide may not be collected until after the death of the animal. An example an acceptable renewable animal source would be sheep\'s fleece. The fleece can be sheered from the animal without presenting harm to it nor does it prevent the animal from regenerating the material. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
10/1/2013
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

For retail projects, what items are considered casework and built-in millwork that must be included in the base building documentation (in MRc3-7 and IEQc4.4), rather than furniture?

Ruling:

There are typically two types of casework found in projects. The first is casework that is custom built – often from shop drawings – and specified in CSI Division 6. Included are custom millwork cabinets, countertops, custom desks, shelving, etc. These are base building (or real property) elements considered permanently installed. They may be assembled on or off-site.

The second type of casework is manufactured furniture. It is usually ordered from a catalog and found in the project specifications in CSI Division 12. These items are considered furniture and included in ID&C projects and only included in BD&C projects when they are consistently used in calculations. They are not base building items. Included in Division 12 are individual and group seating, open-plan and private-office workstations, desks, tables, storage units, credenzas, bookshelves, filing cabinets, and wall-mounted visual-display products (e.g., marker boards and tack boards). Items such as electronic displays and miscellaneous items, such as easels, mobile carts, and desk accessories are not included in the credits.

Sometimes furniture is semi-permanently attached using mechanical fastening systems due to operational use. These are not permanently installed and therefore are not base building elements. An example in a retail or hospitality setting would be a display that is bolted to the floor or moveable / semi-permanently-attached manufactured shelving. Consider these guidance definitions:

Permanently installed building product – in addition to those items that serve structural purposes, permanently installed building products are items that are affixed to the building without intention to be removed, either because the item is integral to the walls, ceiling, or floor, or removing the item will cause damage to building (i.e. real property vs. personal property). Examples include items found in CSI MasterFormat Division 6- Millwork as well as wall, floor, or ceiling finished such as ceramic tiles, or drywall, window and door frames (unless part of removable partitions, see definition for furniture), baseboards, siding, roofing, masonry, and permanently installed built in casework, such as shelving or countertops. Exceptions may exist for these examples.

Furniture - Items that are non-permanently affixed are considered furniture. This includes items that do not serve structural purposes and may be removed without damage to real property. Examples include desks, chairs, filing systems, retail displays, or removable partitions (including drywall and glass system partitions including doors) that can be readily removed and reused without damage to other partitions, ceilings, floors, or structure. Typically these items fall under CSI MasterFormat 2010 Division 12-Furniture, however some items may be specified in other divisions and there are exceptions to these examples.

Real Property – consisting of immovable portions of building. Distinguished from personal property. Items installed by tenants or for temporary use are considered personal property and not real property.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes

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Josée Lupien

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Vertima inc.
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