mdshunk
Senior Member
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- Right here.
Can anyone explain, in a nutshell, what all this LEED stuff is all about, and why that might concern me as an electrical contractor?
LEED program
- Thread starter mdshunk
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ron
Senior Member
- Location
- New York, 40.7514,-73.9925
As long as you follow specs and drawings when they are present, it will not effect you.
LEED is a scoring system to standardize whether the design of a facility, construction per the design and then eventually its operation, are "green"
A LEED certified engineer or Architect will document if a special gizmo is needed or if you need to get your material with special characteristics or with special transportation needs.
LEED is a scoring system to standardize whether the design of a facility, construction per the design and then eventually its operation, are "green"
A LEED certified engineer or Architect will document if a special gizmo is needed or if you need to get your material with special characteristics or with special transportation needs.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
I'm current working in a LEED built building. Major differences that I can see are water-less urinals, energy efficient lighting, lighting controls that measure sunlight to dim lights closest to the windows during the day, and the recycling of sink and rain water (so called gray water) for flushing toilets. I'm sure there are many other innovations that I've overlooked. 
The biggest design requirement electrically on a LEED project is that you comply with ASHRAE 90.1, and that will be up to the designer to make sure of, not the installer.
Now, there are several ways to get credits under the LEED scoring system that could affect you like using recycled materials and renewable materials but they are entire project requirements not just electrical.
Now, there are several ways to get credits under the LEED scoring system that could affect you like using recycled materials and renewable materials but they are entire project requirements not just electrical.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
The acronym stands for ?Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.? It is a trademark of the US Green Building Council: http://www.usgbc.org/
Many owners, and in particular many governmental agencies, are requiring all new buildings to be ?LEED Silver.? That is one of four levels of achievement, one of four scores you can be awarded. The four are ?LEED Certified,? ?LEED Silver,? ?LEED Gold,? and ?LEED Platinum.? In order for the building owners to obtain one of these scores, and get a plaque to place in the lobby, they need to do several things. These include,
(1) Pay a fee to the USGBC to ?register? the project. This is a declaration of intent to follow the USGBC?s guidelines for design, construction, and operation of a ?green building.?
(2) Perform each of the mandatory items on the LEED score card. One example is commissioning of building systems, and another is storing and collection of recyclables. Start at page 5 of this document, to see the list: http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/LEEDdocs/3.4xLEEDRatingSystemJune01.pdf
(3) Perform enough of the other items on the list to get enough credit points to achieve the score you are trying to get.
(4) Send in the documents required to prove that you did all these things.
(5) Pay another fee, to have the USGBC review the documents.
Please note that nobody can get any ?LEED Points,? unless those points are awarded by the USGBC. Also note that the USGBC will not award any points to a project that has not been registered with them. Many people talk about getting LEED Points for their new buildings, but never register the projects, and never pay the fees. That is a violation of the USGBC?s trademark on the term ?LEED.?
Now, how does this affect an electrical contractor? It has very little affect. Most of the LEED Points have to do with mechanical systems and civil engineering tasks. But there are LEED Points available for buying materials that are made locally or that need not be shipped from a long distance away from the project site. Also, note item (5) above. The USGBC is very strict in requiring proof that any point requested by the owner has, in fact, been earned by the owner. Thus, for example, all contractors may be called upon to prove the source of their materials.
Bottom line: Any requirement imposed on you, in support of the LEED process, should be spelled out in your contract. So if they say ?LEED,? and if they don?t tell you exactly what they will be expecting you to do, then ask, and get it into your contract.
Many owners, and in particular many governmental agencies, are requiring all new buildings to be ?LEED Silver.? That is one of four levels of achievement, one of four scores you can be awarded. The four are ?LEED Certified,? ?LEED Silver,? ?LEED Gold,? and ?LEED Platinum.? In order for the building owners to obtain one of these scores, and get a plaque to place in the lobby, they need to do several things. These include,
(1) Pay a fee to the USGBC to ?register? the project. This is a declaration of intent to follow the USGBC?s guidelines for design, construction, and operation of a ?green building.?
(2) Perform each of the mandatory items on the LEED score card. One example is commissioning of building systems, and another is storing and collection of recyclables. Start at page 5 of this document, to see the list: http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/LEEDdocs/3.4xLEEDRatingSystemJune01.pdf
(3) Perform enough of the other items on the list to get enough credit points to achieve the score you are trying to get.
(4) Send in the documents required to prove that you did all these things.
(5) Pay another fee, to have the USGBC review the documents.
Please note that nobody can get any ?LEED Points,? unless those points are awarded by the USGBC. Also note that the USGBC will not award any points to a project that has not been registered with them. Many people talk about getting LEED Points for their new buildings, but never register the projects, and never pay the fees. That is a violation of the USGBC?s trademark on the term ?LEED.?
Now, how does this affect an electrical contractor? It has very little affect. Most of the LEED Points have to do with mechanical systems and civil engineering tasks. But there are LEED Points available for buying materials that are made locally or that need not be shipped from a long distance away from the project site. Also, note item (5) above. The USGBC is very strict in requiring proof that any point requested by the owner has, in fact, been earned by the owner. Thus, for example, all contractors may be called upon to prove the source of their materials.
Bottom line: Any requirement imposed on you, in support of the LEED process, should be spelled out in your contract. So if they say ?LEED,? and if they don?t tell you exactly what they will be expecting you to do, then ask, and get it into your contract.
- Location
- Simi Valley, CA
How it might concern you as a contractor, is that you are not able to substitute fixtures and such, so say that your wholesale house doesn't stock or deal with the manufacture of the ligts speced, you can't just change them out to whatever. In CA the lighting controls have to be certified, so again you can't just use whatever is on hand.
But if you meet all of the specs on the plans then it actually doesn't affect you at all.
But if you meet all of the specs on the plans then it actually doesn't affect you at all.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
The short answer is yes; the longer answer is that is a monumental task for the simple reason that it is not a possible task. There are only a limited number of types of projects for which the USGBC has developed a set of LEED criteria, and to which they are willing to award a LEED certification. This is from their web site:jdsmith said:
They go on to tell you how to find out if your project might qualify. The document I cited in my earlier post has all the information you would need.
rlane00
Member
- Location
- Clackamas, OR
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Supervising Electrician, EE
About a year ago I was asked to look at a design-build office building that needed to be LEED silver in order to qualify for some city tax credits. It was the first time for me, and for many of the other trades involved in the project, and quite a learning experience. We ended up not doing the project so I didn't see it all the way through, but the design portion was taking a lot of time and involved many other parties to finalize since the building owner wanted to spend the least amount of money to get the silver certification. For example, should the owner spend $xx for a more efficient HVAC system, or $yy to the electrician for site lighting that doesn't cause "light polution." Each might be worth one LEED point, but we'd have to go through the costing exercise so the owner could determine which way to go. Glad I dropped out when I did!
As far as it relates to your work on the jobsite. There should be different dumpsters on the jobsite for recycling different materials. You'll need to sort your garbage and toss in the appropriate dumpster.
As noted above, follow the plans and specs. Yes, they really want that light fixture. You may be asked to provide lamp and ballast cutsheets. The commissioning agent may need to verify if the lighting controls are funtioning as intended, rather than the factory default settings.
The mechanical contractor will have a much bigger headache on a LEED project.
Next year USGBC will be releasing an updated version of LEED. In the draft version that was released it appeared that most of the credits were very similar the the previous version. The main difference is the shift in credit valuation. Energy and water conservation will double in their importance.
As noted above, follow the plans and specs. Yes, they really want that light fixture. You may be asked to provide lamp and ballast cutsheets. The commissioning agent may need to verify if the lighting controls are funtioning as intended, rather than the factory default settings.
The mechanical contractor will have a much bigger headache on a LEED project.
Next year USGBC will be releasing an updated version of LEED. In the draft version that was released it appeared that most of the credits were very similar the the previous version. The main difference is the shift in credit valuation. Energy and water conservation will double in their importance.
There might also be a requirement for commissioning, which would invovle testing of the lighting control system (if installed).
Also, be aware that some groups are pushing for LEED innovation points, and come up with crazy ideas like having no PVC in a project -- without understanding how much PVC there is on cables!
Also, be aware that some groups are pushing for LEED innovation points, and come up with crazy ideas like having no PVC in a project -- without understanding how much PVC there is on cables!
LEED Courses
LEED Courses
LEED is a building standard which aims to improve our quality of life in the built environment while reducing resource demand (electrical, water, materials, etc.). LEED involves everything from Construction site recycling through energy efficiency to Indoor Air Quality during construction.
Part of this post was deleted by Charlie since advertizing is not permitted on this forum - see the forum rules. If you wish information on classes, send Everblue a PM.
LEED Courses
LEED is a building standard which aims to improve our quality of life in the built environment while reducing resource demand (electrical, water, materials, etc.). LEED involves everything from Construction site recycling through energy efficiency to Indoor Air Quality during construction.
Part of this post was deleted by Charlie since advertizing is not permitted on this forum - see the forum rules. If you wish information on classes, send Everblue a PM.
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dezwitinc
Senior Member
- Location
- Delray Beach, FL
I am currently in the process of becoming LEED certified.
The reason is simple-No one else is doing it and it opens doors that would normally be closed.
Being LEED certified will get you phone calls that normally would not come your way.
Many of these projects are deign/build and provide the opportunity to finally make a decent profit on construction projects.
For more info:
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19
The reason is simple-No one else is doing it and it opens doors that would normally be closed.
Being LEED certified will get you phone calls that normally would not come your way.
Many of these projects are deign/build and provide the opportunity to finally make a decent profit on construction projects.
For more info:
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19
It?s a giant PC bandwagon and if you can figure out at way to hitch a ride, you may profit from it. Granted there are some aspects of conservation that very much appeal to me, however some of the LEEDs goals and rules are really obnoxious and some don?t even make any sense and the documentation behind them is just wasted trees in my very humble opinion.
Having said that, one of my biggest and most organized clients has taken the rains of this run away band wagon and is making money hand over fist giving his clients exactly what they want. This client told me point blank, the sub contractors who want to get work and be successful partners with him will need to be able to walk the walk and talk the talk right beside him, because that is how he sells his work. So I couldn?t ignore it any longer.
LEEDs has a point system, you can find it on the USGBC website; I took that list and studied it with the same attention as I give to the NEC, and came up with a strategy on which items I have something to offer. Then I developed a documented SOP for commissioning and packaged both of these in my proposals to LEEDs projects.
Here is a trade secrete for you: Low bidder is not guaranteed the job. On a LEEDs project if you are close enough and have the right package, the right attitude, the right proposal, and are qualified you will get the job. Think about it, who wants a job as the low bidder when you can have it as 2nd or 3rd or even high bidder?
As I write this it feels like I have said way too much and will probably regret it and want to delete it later? either way if you are in commercial you probably need to start paying attention to LEEDs.
Having said that, one of my biggest and most organized clients has taken the rains of this run away band wagon and is making money hand over fist giving his clients exactly what they want. This client told me point blank, the sub contractors who want to get work and be successful partners with him will need to be able to walk the walk and talk the talk right beside him, because that is how he sells his work. So I couldn?t ignore it any longer.
LEEDs has a point system, you can find it on the USGBC website; I took that list and studied it with the same attention as I give to the NEC, and came up with a strategy on which items I have something to offer. Then I developed a documented SOP for commissioning and packaged both of these in my proposals to LEEDs projects.
Here is a trade secrete for you: Low bidder is not guaranteed the job. On a LEEDs project if you are close enough and have the right package, the right attitude, the right proposal, and are qualified you will get the job. Think about it, who wants a job as the low bidder when you can have it as 2nd or 3rd or even high bidder?
As I write this it feels like I have said way too much and will probably regret it and want to delete it later? either way if you are in commercial you probably need to start paying attention to LEEDs.
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