Chapter 4: Overview of USGBC and LEED Flashcards
Agent
Person (or entity) who is granted actual authority by the owner to register the project and accept the certification agreement.
Certification Level
A LEED designation based on point thresholds met, such as LEED Certified, LEED Silver, LEED Gold, and LEED Platinum.
Certification Process
A hierarchy of assigned tasks completed through LEED Online.
Checklist
A single-page list containing the name of the rating system adaptation and a series of categories that pertain to the site, transportation, water, energy, materials, indoor air, and innovation of the project.
Credit
A point or range of points given depending on its credit weighting.
Credit Interpretation Request (CIR)
A fee-based inquiry to the USGBC as to how to implement a strategy for a certain prerequisite or credit.
Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
A third-party organization that provides independent oversight of professional credentialing and project certification programs related to green building.
Impact Categories
The environmental issues that LEED projects aim to address.
Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design (LEED)
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) LEED green building program is the preeminent program for the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of high-performance green buildings.
LEED AP
The advanced level of LEED credentials that requires an advanced knowledge in green building as well as expertise in a particular LEED rating system.
LEED Fellow
The most prestigious LEED designation that recognized LEED APs who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in technical knowledge and skill, leadership, advocacy, commitment and service, and teaching, mentoring, or research.
LEED Green Associate
The basic level of LEED credentials that requires a documented, up-to-date understanding of the most current green building principles and practices.
Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs)
The requirements that a building must meet before it can consider LEED certification.
Owner
Person (or entity) who has the authority to hold and control the real and personal property associated with the project and accept the certification agreement.
Pilot Credit Library
A database of credits that are being tested for future versions of the LEED rating systems.
Prerequisite
A mandatory project requirement that ensures a minimum level of achievement within a category.
Project Administrator
Person who plays a key quality role by checking that the LEED submission is complete and accurate before submitting the project to GBCI for review and by accepting the review results once the review is complete.
Synergy
The interrelationship between credit categories, systems, and components that can be realized through the integrative process to achieve high levels of building performance, human performance, and environmental benefits.
Technical Advisory Group (TAG)
A committee formed by members of the USGBC to make consensus-based decisions and to recommend technical solutions to rating system development and maintenance issues, based on expertise.
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
A nonprofit organization made up of member organizations, chapters, and credentialed professionals that was formed to promote sustainability within the built environment and has been releasing versions of the LEED rating system since 2000.
What is the USGBC Mission Statement?
“To transform the way building and communities are designed, built, and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.”
What is the USGBC Vision?
“Buildings and communities will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation.”
How many projects currently participate in LEED?
Over 200,000
5 LEED v4 Rating Systems
1) LEED BD+C (Building Design and Construction)
2) LEED ID+C (Interior Design and Construction)
3) LEED O+M (Building Operation and Maintenance)
4) LEED Homes (Homes Design and Construction)
5) LEED ND (Neighborhood Development)
8 LEED BD+C Rating Adaptations
1) LEED BD+C: New Construction / Major Renovation
2) LEED BD+C: Core and Shell
3) LEED BD+C: Schools
4) LEED BD+C: Retail
5) LEED BD+C: Data Centers
6) LEED BD+C: Warehouses & Distribution Centers
7) LEED BD+C: Hospitality
8) LEED BD+C: Healthcare
What does the LEED BD+C: New Construction / Major Renovation Rating Adaptation apply to?
1) Can’t be used as the following: k-12 schools, retail, data centers, warehouses and distribution centers, hospitality facilities, and healthcare facilities
2) Can be applied to high-rise residential buildings of 9 stories or more
What does the LEED BD+C: Core and Shell Rating Adaptation apply to?
1) New construction / major renovation of exterior core and shell mechanical, electrical, and plumbing units, but not complete interior fit-out
2) If more that 40% of the gross floor area is incomplete at the time of certification
What does the LEED BD+C: Schools Adaptation apply to?
1) Must be for design and construction of k-12 schools
What does the LEED BD+C: Retail Adaptation apply to?
1) Must be for design and construction of retail projects
2) Can pertain to multitenant retail complexes
What does the LEED BD+C: Data Centers Adaptation apply to?
1) For design and construction of buildings equipped to contain high-density computing equipment
2) Has to have 60% or more of the gross square footage dedicated for computer equipment
What does the LEED BD+C: Warehouses and Distribution Centers Adaptation apply to?
1) Must be a facility used to store manufactured products, good, raw materials, or personal belongings.
What does the LEED BD+C: Hospitality Adaptation apply to?
1) Must be one of the following: hotel, motel, inn, other traditional or short-term lodging.
What does the LEED BD+C: Healthcare Adaptation apply to?
1) Must be a hospital that operates 24/7 and provides inpatient medical treatment (both acute and long-term)
3 LEED ID+C Rating Adaptations
1) LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors
2) LEED ID+C: Retail
3) LEED ID+C: Hospitality
What does the LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors Adaptation apply to?
1) Developed specifically for tenant fit-outs that leas space or do not occupy the whole building