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Tying evaluation to design
After gathering feedback from project teams, this credit includes the next iteration of Pilot Credit 1: Life Cycle AnalysisAn evaluation of the environmental effects of a product or activity holistically, by analyzing the entire life cycle of a particular material, process, product, technology, service, or activity. of Building Assemblies and Materials. The intention of this pilot is to tie LCA evaluation to design decisions, and test the availability of LCIA data from product manufacturers. Structural and envelope material selections are often the first decisions made on a project, LCA is a tool best used to analyze the impact of structural and envelope materials before the project’s design is finalized.
The reason for limiting the scope of the Life Cycle Assessment to structure and enclosure materials is due to current life cycle inventoryAn accounting of the energy and waste associated with the creation of a new product through use and disposal. databases populations being concentrated in these materials areas. Further, isolating structural materials targets environmental per-formance of these materials with inherently different nature in buildings.
This updated pilot credit is the next step in the evolution of LEED actively engaging life cycle assessment in material decision making for buildings and thus an initial step in quantifying environmental benefit for materials decisions.
Credit Submittals
General
- Register for Pilot Credit(s) here.
- Register a username at LEEDuser.com, and participate in online forum
- Submit feedback survey; supply PDF of your survey/confirmation of completion with credit documentation
Credit Specific
The ides of this credit is to explore the holistic environmental impacts of material selec-tion for structure and assembly. At a minimum submit summary life cycle inventory and assessment results for the materials and assemblies explored. As well as a comprehensive narrative outlining why the assemblies chosen were compared, any conclusions learned as part of the process, and any decisions made as a result of the study. If the project does not have an energy model ensure the same operational energy use is used in all assessments. The software tools approved for use in this pilot credit are the Athena Impact Estimator, GaBi, and SimaPro. If other tools are used please provide evidence that the tool meets the ISO requirements.
Additional Questions
- What LCA database was used to conduct analysis? Why did you choose it? What did you think of the tool’s usability and technical rigor?
- Was obtaining product or brand specific LCIA data from manufactures difficult (or even possible)? Where there any other major hindrances to earning this credit?
- Do you think it is appropriate for this to be a design phase credit? Why or why not?
- Was the safety of alternative materials chosen a concern? Why or why not?
USGBC
Excerpted from LEED Pilot Credit Library
COPYRIGHT © 2011 BY THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDPilot Credit 63: Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment
Intent
To increase the use of products and materials with life cycles and ingredients that improve overall environmental, economic and social performance.
Requirements
For new construction buildings or additions, demonstrate a minimum 10% reduction in at least 3 of the 6 impact categories listed below in comparison to a reference building. Any impact category not reduced must be maintained at the same level as the reference building in order to achieve credit.
To qualify, the reference and final design buildings must be of comparable size and function; as well as the same orientation and operating energy performance as de-fined in Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance. The service life of the reference and final design buildings must be the same and at least 60 years to fully account for maintenance and replacement. The same life cycle assessment software tools using the same data sets must be used to evalu-ate both the reference and final design building and all listed impact categories shall be reported. Data sets must be compliant with International Standards Organ-ization ISO 14044.
Impact Categories:
Global warming potential (greenhouse gases) in kgCO2
Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer in kg CFC-11
AcidificationBuild-up of acidity in soil and water bodies from acid precipitation, which gains acidity as it falls through an atmosphere containing certain pollutants, especially sulfur dioxide from coal-burning power plants. of land and water sources in moles H+ or Kg SO2
Eutrophication1. Eutrophication is the increase in chemical nutrients, such as the nitrogen and phosphorus often found in fertilizers, in an ecosystem. The added nutrients stimulate excessive plant growth, promoting algal blooms or weeds. The enhanced plant growth reduces oxygen in the land and water, reducing water quality and fish and other animal populations. 2. The process by which bodies of water are starved of oxygen and light by algae and other plants that multiply due to excessive concentrations of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous. Typical sources include fertilizer runoff and poorly managed wastewater treatment systems, frequently including home septic systems. in kg N or Kg Phosphate
Formation of troposheric ozone in kg NOx or kg Ethene
Depletion of non-renewable energy resources in MJPotential Technologies & Strategies
Articles
Foundations of LEED
Background for the LEED Pilot Credit Library is provided in this foundational document.
Organizations
LEED Pilot Credit Library
The homepage for the LEED Pilot Credit Library. The LEED Pilot Credit Library is intended to facilitate the introduction of new prerequisites and credits to LEED. This process will allow USGBC to test and refine credits through LEED 2009 project evaluations before they are sent through the balloting process for introduction into LEED.
LEEDuser is produced by BuildingGreen, Inc., with YR&G authoring most of the original content. LEEDuser enjoys ongoing collaboration with USGBC.
7 Comments
embodied energy
Most if not all construction sites have a generator running to power the site. On new SF home construction the amount of gasoline used during the construction phase is about 100-150 gallons. Are LEED points awarded for using a renewable energy source to power the site, thus reducing the amount of embodied energy1. Embodied energy is the energy used during the entire life cycle of a product, including its manufacture, transportation, and disposal, as well as the inherent energy captured within the product itself. 2. The energy expended in the process of creating a product, often including the fuel value of its constituent parts as well as transportation to its point of use..
LCA Question
I had a designer come back from Green Build talking about life cycle assessments for individual furniture pieces. Free standing desks, tables, and office furniture in general. Is anyone familiar with this? Where would it qualify?
Ronnie, an LCA for a specific building product is not applicable under this Pilot Credit, but it will matter under LEED v4, and possibly under other pilot credits.
Whole Building LCA as Innovation in Design point?
Two questions:
1) Is it acceptable to submit this as an ID point, outside of the pilot process?
2) I know this is probably a stretch, but what do you think about attempting more than 1 point for this if we were to go beyond the 10% improvement, similar to other credits (i.e. water use reduction awards and add'l point for each 5% increment of improvement..)??
Alexandra, 1) I would assume not, since USGBC is specifically offering this credit as pilot credit, which is one of the paths in IDc1. 2) I don't think that would work. There are pilot credits where thresholds are identified for the purpose of defining the credit parameters, but still only one point is awarded. This would be like getting an EP point, and pilot credits aren't identified as offering EP points.
Is Athena Impact Estimator Suitable for this Pilot Credit?
Are Athena Impact Estimator is suitable for this pilot credit.
Your sincerely,
Murat
Murat, the Athena calculator is one of the accepted tools for this credit—as noted above on this same page.
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