LEED Documentation Requirements

LEED Documentation Requirements ----------------------------

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. To achieve LEED certification, projects must comply with specific documentation requirements that demonstrate compliance with the LEED credit requirements.

The following are key terms and vocabulary related to LEED documentation requirements:

### LEED Credit

A LEED credit is a specific requirement that a project must meet to earn points towards LEED certification. Each credit has specific documentation requirements that must be met to demonstrate compliance.

### Prerequisite

A prerequisite is a mandatory requirement that a project must meet to be eligible for LEED certification. Unlike credits, prerequisites do not earn any points towards certification but are required to be met to ensure a basic level of sustainability.

### Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs)

MPRs are a set of requirements that a project must meet to be eligible for LEED certification. MPRs are similar to prerequisites in that they are mandatory, but they are not specific to any particular credit.

### Credit Interpretation Ruling (CIR)

A CIR is a formal interpretation of a LEED credit requirement by the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). CIRs provide guidance on how to interpret and apply LEED credit requirements in specific situations.

### LEED Online

LEED Online is the web-based platform used to document and submit LEED projects. Project teams use LEED Online to track progress, upload documentation, and communicate with the GBCI.

### Documentation

Documentation is the evidence required to demonstrate compliance with LEED credit requirements. Documentation may include calculations, reports, invoices, photos, and other forms of proof.

### GBCI Review

The GBCI review is the process by which the GBCI reviews a project's LEED documentation to determine compliance with LEED credit requirements. The GBCI review may include desk reviews, site visits, and other forms of evaluation.

### Appeals

If a project team disagrees with a GBCI review decision, they may submit an appeal to the GBCI. Appeals must be based on specific documentation and must be submitted within a specified time frame.

### Certification Levels

LEED certification is awarded based on the number of points earned by a project. There are four levels of certification: Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points), and Platinum (80 or more points).

### Credit Categories

LEED credits are organized into eight categories: Location and Transportation, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation, and Regional Priority.

### LEED v4.1

LEED v4.1 is the most recent version of the LEED rating system. LEED v4.1 includes updated credit requirements and documentation requirements, as well as new tools and resources for project teams.

### Energy Modeling

Energy modeling is the process of creating a virtual model of a building's energy use. Energy modeling is required for several LEED credits, including EA Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance and EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance.

### Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA)

LCA is a method for evaluating the environmental impact of a product or material over its entire life cycle. LCA is required for several LEED credits, including MR Credit 2: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Environmental Product Declarations.

### Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

An EPD is a document that provides detailed information about the environmental impact of a product or material. EPDs are required for several LEED credits, including MR Credit 2: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Environmental Product Declarations.

### Health Product Declaration (HPD)

An HPD is a document that provides detailed information about the health impact of a product or material. HPDs are required for several LEED credits, including MR Credit 2: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Health Product Declarations.

### Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan

A Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan is a document that outlines how construction and demolition waste will be managed during a project. A Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan is required for several LEED credits, including MR Credit 2: Construction and Demolition Waste Management.

### Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Plan

An IAQ Plan is a document that outlines how indoor air quality will be maintained during construction and occupancy. An IAQ Plan is required for several LEED credits, including IEQ Credit 3: Construction IAQ Management Plan During Construction.

### Lighting Power Density (LPD) Calculation

An LPD calculation is a calculation that determines the amount of energy used by a building's lighting system. An LPD calculation is required for several LEED credits, including EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance.

### Water Use Calculation

A water use calculation is a calculation that determines the amount of water used by a building's plumbing system. A water use calculation is required for several LEED credits, including WE Credit 1: Water Efficient Landscaping.

### Renewable Energy Calculation

A renewable energy calculation is a calculation that determines the amount of renewable energy used by a building. A renewable energy calculation is required for several LEED credits, including EA Credit 2: On-Site Renewable Energy.

### Stormwater Management Plan

A stormwater management plan is a document that outlines how stormwater will be managed on a project site. A stormwater management plan is required for several LEED credits, including SS Credit 6: Stormwater Management.

### Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan

An IPM plan is a document that outlines how pests will be managed on a project site using environmentally friendly methods. An IPM plan is required for several LEED credits, including SSc5: Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat.

### Thermal Comfort Verification

Thermal comfort verification is the process of verifying that a building's HVAC system is providing adequate thermal comfort for its occupants. Thermal comfort verification is required for several LEED credits, including IEQ Credit 7: Thermal Comfort.

### Acoustic Testing

Acoustic testing is the process of measuring the sound levels in a building to ensure that they meet specified levels. Acoustic testing is required for several LEED credits, including IEQ Credit 9: Acoustic Performance.

### Daylighting Calculation

A daylighting calculation is a calculation that determines the amount of natural light in a building. A daylighting calculation is required for several LEED credits, including IEQ Credit 8.1: Daylight and Views - Daylight.

### Walk-off Mat

A walk-off mat is a mat that is placed at the entrance of a building to remove dirt and moisture from shoes. A walk-off mat is required for several LEED credits, including IEQ Credit 3.1: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan - During Construction.

### Low-Emitting Materials

Low-emitting materials are materials that emit low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants. Low-emitting materials are required for several LEED credits, including IEQ Credit 4.1: Low-Emitting Materials - Adhesives and Sealants.

### Recycled Content

Recycled content is the amount of post-consumer and pre-consumer recycled material in a product or material. Recycled content is required for several LEED credits, including MR Credit 4: Recycled Content.

### Regional Materials

Regional materials are materials that are extracted, harvested, or manufactured within a specified distance from the project site. Regional materials are required for several LEED credits, including MR Credit 5: Regional Materials.

### Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is the collection and storage of rainwater for reuse. Rainwater harvesting is required for several LEED credits, including WE Credit 1: Water Efficient Landscaping.

### Green Power

Green power is electricity that is generated from renewable resources, such as wind, solar, or hydro power. Green power is required for several LEED credits, including EA Credit 3: Renewable Energy.

### Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV)

BIPV is a type of solar panel that is integrated into the building envelope, such as roofs or facades. BIPV is required for several LEED credits, including EA Credit 2: On-Site Renewable Energy.