NC v2.2 IDc1: Innovation in Design

I am interested in hearing anyone's experience with this because I just got this ID credit denied on a project because the furniture costs were not included in the MR credits. I am actually considering putting in 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 related to this, because I think the reviewers' denial based on this is incorrect.

Hi Valerie,
On numerous previous projects, the low-emitting systems furnitureSystems furniture includes panel-based workstations comprising modular interconnecting panels, hang-on components, and drawer and filing components or a free-standing grouping of furniture items designed to work in concert. and seating credit was awarded as an ID credit on my non LEED-CI projects, however the past 3 non LEED-CI projects were also denied. I recently questioned this and explained that FF&E items are typcally NOT included in the scope of the design/build team and that I worked with the Owner to specifically purchase the Greenguard Certified systems furniture and seating. I was told that a GBCI staff person recently brought it to the attention ofall GBCI staff that under LEED-CI, the systems furniture and seating must be included in the MR credits. As a result GBCI staff are denying the low-emitting systems furniture and seating ID credit unless it is include in the MR credits. I do not agree with this an am disappointed because Greenguard Certified furniture is more expensive. AND IF the owner wants to move their furniture in prior to doing the 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. testig option for IEQc3.2 - CIAQ Prior to Occupancy, without having the Owner purchase low-emitting (Greenguard Certified) furniture, the IAQ tests are failing. I would strongly encourage you to put in 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. If you need help, please let me know. I could site seveal project examples.

We were having a conversation about this credit over on the v3 forum last week. I've not been able to document this credit but we have tracked it on several projects. It is tough to have enough money in Div 9 items to get this credit. My recommendation would be to look for additional items to contribute. As I recall they have a website on all the certified products.

Thanks, Susan - linoleum is the primary flooring material in the building, so there is quite a lot of it. I've asked the project manager for more cost info so I can do a quick calculation and see where we are. I tried looking through the website but couldn't find what I needed - a list of certified products. If anyone has a link that they can share, I'd appreciate it.

The 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 in question was an "administrative CIR" put out by USGBC a few years ago. I assume it is in the current LEED  Interpretations database (search for Smart or under IDc1) and you could get more clues there on its continued applicability.

Great, thanks Tristan! The sales rep sent me a Word doc which looks like someone just copied and pasted the 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 from somewhere....

Hema, yes, that is possible. Your best bet is to use LEED-EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. credits SSc3 or IEQc3.6 as the basis for your submission.

Philippe, see my earlier responses on the topic of comprehensive. I am doubtful that a "green" marketing campaign for the building would qualify for an ID credit. With some work, though, I think you could do it.

Transform it into a educational initiative and add a couple of components and you are on a well-trod path to an ID credit.

Or make it about sustainable purchasing for the office and building and you could use EBOM MRc1 as a template.

I'm on it, sounds like a solid path to explore ; ) Thx.

Biagio, as Marcus says elsewhere on this forum, when thinking about ID credits, thnk quantifiable, verifiable, replicatable and documentable. I would add comprehensive. I would also note that specific technologies are generally not approved for ID credits. This case sounds like a specific technology, and one that does not have a comprehensive environmental benefit. Perhaps think about a more comprehensive approach to green water treatment in the facility?

I agree with others that you can apply for a green cleaning credit on your project if the practices that are documented apply to your building, regardless of what is done at other buildings. In addition, if you have a campus-wide green cleaning policy it should help you complete the documentation for your building - check the requirements in EBO&M and use that credit if you are going after an ID credit. Also, consider the Application Guide for Multiple Buildings and On-Campus Projects for a path to document campus-wide credits that apply to multiple buildings.

The advice you're getting from other team members does not seem correct to me. Usually you can't double dip on site type credits. But for an entire building, you should be able to easily implement (and document) a green cleaning program. Maybe the last time they documented the credit they took into account some campus wide initiative which you may not be able to double dip? You will need to focus on your project specifically. Try going to Harvard's online documentation and see if they've done this more than once. Here's hoping Harvard isn't your client.

Alan,

I would tend to agree with Susan. If you are using the EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. guidance to implement a green cleaning program you should be able to tailor it to your building if you need to, while acknowledging that it is a campus wide plan.

The one mentioned below on green building education is the most common ID credit beyond exemplary performanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements..

Also consider an operational credit like green housekeeping from LEED EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems.. Especially appropriate for a hotel I would think.

Beyond that you can get good ideas in the ID Credit Catalog on USGBC's web site - http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3569

The signs fall under the actively instructional criteria. The binderGlue used in manufacturing wood products, such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF), particleboard, and engineered lumber. Most binders are made with formaldehyde. could fall under the outreach criteria. The web site under the outreach and the promotional materials criteria.

Will the project actively seek to conduct tours of the facility? If so that would also be part of the outreach criteria.

When it comes to this credit the more comprehensive the coverage of at least two of the criteria the better.

For the ID credit the case study you describe would be more than sufficient. Can't hurt to also include on your web site.

I'll let USGBC staff answer the later questions.

You can substitute a differnet ID credit if you are inbetween the preliminary and final reviews or after the design review at the beginning of the construction review. No appeal neeced until after all review phases have been completed.

How is this change accomplished? I have not submitted for my construction review (v. 2.2 NC). I had an exemplary performanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. in ID 1.2 and it was denied. I would now like to use another credit. When I went through the cofirmation of the design credits, this credit was not listed so that I could mark it changed. Now there doesn't seem to be a way to signal to the reviewer that it is a different credit. Please advise.

I do not know the specific logistics off the top of my head. I would have to try and figure it out in LED Online. If you can't figure it our contact GBCI.

I found out this morning that simply uploading a new template will trigger the review team to look at it when we submit.

Correct. And you just mark it complete. It will still read denied, but you are all set to go.

The possibility of an ID points rests on the assumption that recovery of the logs did not do any environmental harm. Not sure I buy that claim. The Great Lakes are full of toxins in the bottom sediments and any disruption releases more of them into the water, at least in the short term. The other assumption is that the only other choice you could make is to cut down an old growth forest. FSCIndependent, third-party verification that forest products are produced and sold based on a set of criteria for forest management and chain-of-custody controls developed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international nonprofit organization. FSC criteria for certifying forests around the world address forest management, legal issues, indigenous rights, labor rights, multiple benefits, and environmental impacts. wood used instead may be the more appropriate comparison.

In any case this would be pretty hard to meet the verifiable, quantifiable and documentable criteria for creating an ID credit.

You might be able to argue that this would not count as new wood and therefore not hurt if the project pursues MRc7.

Theresa, I haven't heard of an ID credit attempt along these lines. It seems like a great idea, and something that USGBC should be receptive to. As always with ID credits, I would emphasize comprehensiveness and quantitative environmental benefits in documenting it.

If you go down this road, send a report!

When submitted a new ID credit think quantifiable, verifiable, replicatable and documentable.

Hi Angie!

Does the 2 ID credits include the ID credit that is available for off-site Green Power (EAc6)? You can achieve up to two LEED credits (one for EAc6, and an additional ID credit for offsetting 70% of the projects annual electricity usage for 2 years). Let me know if you're interested in more information and I'd be happy to help!

Lmalone@renewablechoice.com

-Lana Malone

The most common ID credits are 1 - exemplary performanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. of an existing LEED credit (common ones include SSc5, WEc3, EAc6, MRc4, MRc5); 2 - green building education (look to the CIRs for more guidance on this one); 3 - an EB credit like green housekeeping or low mercury lamps.

Lana, I will definately email you for information, just as soon as our exchange server is back up and running.

Marcus, can you point me in the right direction for the green building education. The building does have a control system and the owners had mentioned putting a screen and display somewhere so the guests would be able to see and hopefully learn from the systems in place.

I was also looking into the green house keeping for guidance on how to document that.

We picked up the 2 ID credits for exemplary performanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. on SSc5 and WEc3.

You can check the CIRs or the ID Credit Catalog http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=3569 for more information. Basically you need to do two of the following three:
1. make the building actively instructional - signs, displays, kiosks, etc.
2. provide promotional materials - brochures, web sites, etc.
3. develop an outreach plan - tours, presentations, web site, etc.

This is the easiest ID point available to any project IMO.

Would you be providing promotional material about LEED? With it being a hotel the owners certainly want to be able to market the energy efficient and environmental strides they took to make a better building. I will search thru the 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 and see what I can find.

Thanks for helping me out with this.

Usually promotional materials about your green building efforts is the idea. LEED is a part of that but the stuff most people can relate to are how much energy and water you are savings, what steps did you take to improve indoor air quality, etc. In other words how did you obtain certain LEED credits is what should be communicated and marketed.

I worked on this hotel project - http://www.proximityhotel.com/ - and they earned this ID point. Might also give you some other ideas as well since they have much on the subject on their web site.

Hi Marcus,

Pertaining to the thread above, I am just curious on how would you develop an outreach plan on a website. Can you share some examples? Thanks

Developing a web page highlighting the green building features of the project could be considered part of an outreach plan. Here is one of our projects - http://phipps.conservatory.org/project-green-heart/green-heart-at-phipps...

Thanks Marcus. So Developing a webpage can earn you the ID credit green education because you are satisfying the requirements of 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 items 2 and 3 below?
1. make the building actively instructional - signs, displays, kiosks, etc.
2. provide promotional materials - brochures, web sites, etc.
3. develop an outreach plan - tours, presentations, web site, etc.

Thanks Again

No that is incorrect. Developing a web page by itself would be insufficient to earn the credit. While there is not a definitive critical mass of effort the two items have to be comprehensive. For example, one sign is probably not enough to earn #1 either. Developing a web page could contribute to 2 and 3 but not likely satisfy either one by itself. The review of this credit is somewhat subjective on the part of the reviewer. So your effort should be thorough and needs to inform many other people beyond the regular building occupants.

Hi Kath,

Neither is eligible for an ID credit. Specific, non-regulated energy saving strategies like these were eligible for ID points under v2.1.

Under v2.2 projects are required to model "all energy costs within and associated the building project". Since they both address energy savings they are covered by EAc1. You will need to submit them as exceptional calculations.

If the project saves enough energy to get to 45.5% savings then it would be eligible for a single exemplary performanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. ID credit.

Hi Kelly,

FYI, your post title "Building as a Teaching Tool" is actually a slightly different credit, which is well documented under the LEED for Schools rating system.
In terms of Educational Outreach, you are going to need to submit more than just a narrative. The GBCI tends to look for real evidence of a comprehensive educational program, examples include: the script of the tour, details on who will provide the tour and how often, pictures of the installed signage, a keyed drawing indicating the location of signage, a link to the completed website case study, or a copy of the case study. If a green screen type of installation will be used for compliance, you should upload screen shots of the information.

To add to Anne's post, LEEDuser offers a guide to the LEED for Schools IDc3: Building as  Teaching Tool credit that may be of interest.

Thanks for the information!

I believe the ID catalog lists some of the past ID credits submitted by particular teams that have been approved or denied, and ones that were approved don't necessary become prescriptive requirements to be applied in all cases.

It might help to follow the same requirements as an ID credit that was approved, but it should be possible to propose requirements that apply to your situation.

We've seen ID credits for Green Housekeeping that didn't include language on the flushout. For a general template for LEED related policies, take a look at the "Policy Program and Plan Model for LEED EB O&M"
at
http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=4078

Access from the USGBC website by browsing from:
Home/ LEED/ LEED Resources/ LEED Resources & Tools

If you follow the guidelines for Green Cleaning as described in EB O&M, you should be fine. The LEEDuser Documentation Toolkit page for EQp3 has a good foundation template, and specifics from EQc3.1 - 3.6 can selected to suit your project.

I would echo David's comment and add that the ID credit catalogue is not precedent-setting, as GBCI takes pains to note.

A more reliable path would be to do as he suggests and pick a green cleaning credit that works for your project and do that. Use the credit finder tool at the top of the page to access all our EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. credits and guidance, including the sample docs.

Phil, the 'green cleaning' ID credit you reference is a bit of a misnomer and truly inovative since they won't be using greeen cleaning products and processes after the building is open, just for the ribbon cutting, so it is more like a 'green pre-cleaning' ID credit.

I'd use the other more traditional Green Housekeeping ID credit on p 25 that does not rely on a 2 week flush out:

"Requirements: Implement a building policy that prohibits use of toxic and hazardous cleaning products. Issue a RFP for janitorial services that lists required and prohibited
chemicals, and requires staff training
Submittals `- Copy of RFP;- Copy of housekeeping policy."

You could also complete the EB v 2 or EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. v2 sample template for EQp3 since you have a NC 2.2 project-- just fill out the EQp3 template and see when you 'earn' the poinit so there's no doubt about it when you submit.

Let us know how it works out and good luck..

I had this same question when pursuing this credit for one of my jobs. I found that the best guidance was 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 for LEED 2.1, issued 4/8/2004. Just log in go to the CIR database at USGBC.org under building certification and enter "green cleaning" into the question search. Make sure your rating system is NC V2.0 - 2.1 and that your time frame includes April of 2004. Really helpful. I would paste it here if it wasn't so long. LEED V2.2 is honoring this guidance - or at least they are on my project. Good luck.

I'm also using the green cleaning 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 issued 4/8/2004 for a project and have a question. One requirements is to provide "A clear set of acceptable performance level standards by which to measure progress or achievement, such as Green Seal standard GS-37 or California Code of Regulations, Title 17 Section 94509 VOC standards for cleaning products."
Does anyone know if GBCI will accept other "green" standards? Specifically, EPA's Design for the Environment (Dfe) standards? Thank you!

Michelle, I don't know for sure, but I would think it's likely, IF the programs are similar in terms of intent and stringency.

Seems reasonable that deferral should be an option, since and ID credit could logically benefit from Design or Construction submittal information—which could have been an issue with it being 'not anticipated" in the first place.

I would have to defer to GBCI on this question, though—they make the rules on this stuff. We just try to figure them out!

Kath, if I was in that situation I'd try to 'unatttempt' it altogther, submit the clarifications without attempting it, and after accepting the design review I'd re-attempt it with whatever strategy you prefer. Sometimes if you email back to the review team with your dimena and preference, they will tell you what to do and how--they should encourage you to have another bite at the ID apple I'll wager. But let me know what you try and if it works. See you at Greenbuild, John in Chicago

I asked this same question of our reviewer. See below:

Q: "After the initial design review, we decided to change our ID credit. Should we submit it for the final design review or should we defer the credit to the construction phase? If an ID credit is denied in the design application, can we pursue a different idea for the same ID credit in the construction phase? For example, if ID Credit 4.2 is denied in Design, could we try for 4.2 again in the construction application with a different idea?"

A:"You can submit for a new ID credit at final design or construction phase. If an ID credit is denied in the design phase, a new ID credit can be attempted in the construction phase."

Thanks, that all makes sense. I would not however submit an ID or any credit for the first review during the clarification/response round as you'll only get one bite at the apple instead of the usual two, and if you are missing something minor, you may have to deal with a denial and then an appeal for $500.

That is not the case for ID credits. As was stated in the second half of the review team's reply, an ID credit denied in the design review may be resubmitted in the construction review without going through the appeal process. You could, in essence, keep refining the same credit through all four rounds.

Thinking about it more, I guess it depends on how they would treat "new". If they are strict about needing a completely different idea altogether, then I would agree with your point. However, I would think that if a credit was denied in the design phase, you could submit it as "new" in the construction round addressing the concerns expressed in the final round of the design review. This could be another more nuanced question for clarification!