WIMSEE extended

WIMSEE is a great chart that is referenced a lot as a way to remember the numbers of prerequisites and available point in each LEED NC section. I put it up a while ago in a post about InTheLEED.com, a great study resource.

I am making some adjustments to it to help me remember the ID opportunities and submittal phases of as well. They are not in beautiful ascending order as the rest of WIMSEE is, but when they are added to the table it makes a fairly simple visual for me to remember.

Please note that people have mentioned some discrepancies between people’s ID counts – especially in the SS section. I think this is due to the Alternative Transportation credits. I arrived at my seven by counting: SS2 – you can double the density of the project itself or you can double the base credit area and corresponding density; SS4s – alternative transportation management plan; SS4.1 – increase threshold of distances to public transportation and require high frequency of service; SS5.1 – increase threshold to 75%; SS5.2 – double everything; SS7.1 – 100% high-albedo surfaces or underground parking; SS7.2 – full green roof. Pat on InTheLEED counted all the Alt Trans credits as one. I believe, however, that two points are available. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. (Thank you reader ‘brandon’ for bring this to my attention in the comments).

Anyway, here it is:

WIMSEE extended

So then I use a little rhyming to remember the numbers…

206723: the order of id points available in WIMSEE.
Plenty (20) of tricks (6) can get you into Heaven (7). But you won’t be true (2) and free (3).

For the submittal phases, I do a more visual approach. I fill in all the ‘designs’ and ‘constructions’ which is fairly easy once you try it a couple times.

Then for the numbers, I put in all the p1’s first. Then I put anything with a .1 after it. Then 3,5,6. In the end I treat it like a series of steps. And I only have to remember a couple numbers for each step, so it’s not so bad. Hope this works for someone else too!

possible questions for MR 7

possible questions for MR 7:

1. If a project team has chosen window assemblies containing FSC wood, how do they determine the amount of FSC-certified wood in the assemblies?

2. To what extent are CoC certificates required to achieve this credit?

answers:

1. For assemblies, you can calculate the amount of FSC-certified wood as a percentage of the total weight, volume OR cost.

2. The end-user (contractor) must have an invoice from an entity with CoC certification if there are no FSC labels on the purchased products. If the end-user purchases a product which has not changed in form from the time it received the FSC stamp from the manufacturer to the time it was sold by the vendor, then the vendor need not have a CoC certificate.

possible questions for MR 6

possible questions for MR 6:

1. What unit of measurement is considered in this credit?

2. What materials can be utilized for this credit?

3. What percentage of materials must be rapidly renewable in order to achieve this credit?

answers:

1. materials cost of rapidly renewable materials as a fraction of total materials cost of project. For assemblies, determine the materials cost as a fraction of the total weight of the assembly.

2. ‘Whining Children Won’t Learn the ABC’S’: ❶ Wool, ❷ Cotton insulation, ❸ Wheatboard, ❹ Linoleum, ❺ Agrfibre, ❻ Bamboo, ❼ Cork, ❽ Strawboard

3. In order to achieve the credit, 2.5% of total value of all building materials used on project.

possible questions for MR 5.1 and 5.2

possible questions for MR 5.1 and 5.2:

1. Who are the major decision makers with regards to these credits?

2. What are the percentage and distance thresholds associated with these credits?

answers:

1. The contractors, because they ultimately chose the source material. That means that the general contractor is responsible for documenting and signing of on these credit submittals.

2. As we remember from our score card, the Rams sadly lost to Minnesota in the last game of the day, 10 to 20. So for Regional Materials, the first credit is achieved when 10% of the materials are sourced from within 500 miles and the second credit is achieved when this percentage is 20. There is an exemplary performance credit available for 40% regional materials.

possible questions for MR 4.1 and 4.2

possible questions for MR 4.1 and 4.2:

1. What are the thresholds of recycled content required to achieve these credits?

2. What unit of measurement is used in the calculation of total recycled content?

3. Define post-consumer material and pre-consumer material.

4. If a project uses steel, but no information about the recycled content is available, can they still use it in calculations for this credit?

answers:

1. As we remember from our score card, the Rams lost to the Cardinals 10 to 20. So for Recycled Content, the first credit is for 10% recycled content and the second is for 20%. The recycled content must be the sum of post-consumer recycled content plus one half of the pre-consumer content. In order to receive exemplary performance, the total recycled content must be 30%.

2. The total recycled content shall be determined by weight. That fraction of the assembly should then be multiplied by the cost of assembly to determine recycled content value.

3. Post-consumer material is that which is generated by households or other end-users, and can no longer be used for its original purpose. Pre-consumer material is that which is diverted from the waste stream during the manufacturing process.

4. Yes, steel is assumed to be 25% recycled when no information otherwise is available.

possible questions for MR 3.1 and 3.2

possible questions for MR 3.1 and 3.2:

1. What unit of measurement is used to calculate the requirements for this credit?

2. What are the percentage thresholds of materials reuse for achieving these credits?

3. What materials can be reused in order to contribute to these credits?

answers:

1. You must determine the cost of each materials. This will either be the actual cost paid or the replacement value (if it came from on-site). Always use the higher cost, between the actual cost paid and replacement cost in the local market.

2. As we can remember from our score card: Minnesota lost to the Rams 5 to 10. So for Materials Reuse, the first credit is for 5% reuse and the second is for 10%. An exemplary performance credit is available for 15% reuse.

3. ‘Fixed’ components which were found on the site before the project started may only be used if the item is no longer able to serve its original function and must be reconditioned and installed for a different use or in a different location. Walls, ceilings, and floorings are excluded (but are considered in MR 1.1 and 1.2). ‘Finish’ material can also be kept and refurbished, continuing to serve their original purpose. Off-site used materials may be considered as well. Specialty items, mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment shall not be considered.

possible questions for MR 2.1 and 2.2

possible questions for MR 2.1 and 2.2:

1. What unit of measurement is used to calculate these credits?

2. What is included/excluded from consideration for these credits?

3. A valid submittal includes what information in the Diversion Summary Table?

4. What documentation is required to prove compliance?

answers:

1. You must convert all materials to either weight or volume in order to calculate the percentage.

2. Included – crushed and reused existing concrete, masonry or asphalt. Excluded – hazardous materials, excavated soil.

3. general description of type of waste, location of receiving agent, and quantity of waste diverted. Units of measurement must be consistent throughout the table.

4. Summary of diversion rates from the recycler / Waste haul receipts for recycled materials.

possible questions for MR 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3

possible questions for MR 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3:

1. What is the unit of measurement for determining these credits?

2. What are the three thresholds for achieving these credits?

3. What is the size restriction that applies to MR 1.3?

4. What elements are included / excluded from the calculations for MR 1.1 and 1.2?

answers:

1. surface area square footage. For interior elements, calculate the surface area of both sides of the existing wall element.

2. Remember from our score card that the Bears were losing to the Rams (yay!) 75 to 95 at HALF-time. (Building Reuse 75%, 95%, 50%). The first two are for structure and envelope calculations, and the third is for non-structural interior elements.

3. If the project includes an addition to an existing building, the credit is not applicable if the square footage of the addition is more than 2 times the square footage of the existing building.

4. Structure: including structural floor and roof decking. Envelope: exterior skin and framing; excluding window assemblies and non-structural roofing material. Excluding hazardous materials. Upgrade windows, mechanical and plumbing.

possible questions for MR p1

possible questions for MR p1:

1. What is the requirement of this prerequisite?

2. What are the minimum required ares per threshold of project area?

3. For all MR credits, how can the project team calculate the total materials cost of the project?

4. What are some design considerations when complying with this prerequisite?

answers:

1. Supply an easily accessible area dedicated to the collection and storage and non-hazardous recyclable materials.

2. There are no minimum required areas. There are guidelines, which suggest the following:
up to 5,000 sq.ft. – 82 sq.ft. must be recycling area
up to 15,000 – 125
up to 50,000 – 175
up to 100,000 – 225
up to 200,000 – 275
greater – 500

3. They can either calculate the true cost of each and every material, or they can apply a 45% factor to the total cost of the project (including labor and equipment).

4. signage, weather protection, security for high-value materials, discouragement of illegal dumping, wheeled carts, incorporate hauling technology and company

summary of strategies for memorizing credit orders

Ok, so let’s try all of it from memory once through…

Sustainable Sites:

‘Crazy Sally Does Better After Alcohol Administered Assignments; Some Say She Suspends Her Head Low.’
equals
Construction activity pollution prevention
Site selection
Development density and community connectivity
Brownfield redevelopment
Alternative transportation
Alternative transportation
Alternative transportation
Alternative transportation
Site development
Site development
Stormwater management
Stormwater management
Heat island effect
Heat island effect

‘Alternative Peanut Butter Lacks Punch’
equals
Alternative transportation:
1. Public transportation access
2. Bicycle storage and changing rooms
3. Low-emmitting vehicles and fuel-efficient vehicles
4. Parking capacity

‘Develop your PR to the Max. It’s NOT quantity that matters, but quality.’
equals
site Development:
1. Protect and Restore habitat
2. Maximize open space
heat island effect:
1. Non-roof
2. roof

Water Efficiency:

‘Worried Women Incur Worry Warts.’
equals
Water efficient landscaping
Water efficient landscaping
Innovative wastewater technologies
Water use reduction
Water use reduction

‘50 – 0 = 20 + 30’
equals
water efficient landscaping – reduce by 50%
water efficient landscaping – No potable water or No irrigation
water use reduction - 20%
water use reduction – 30%

Energy and Atmosphere:

‘FeMale Fan! OOEE! My God!’
equals
Fundamental commissioning of building systems
Minimum energy performance
Fundamental refrigerant management
Optimize energy performance
On-site renewable energy
Enhanced commissioning
Enhanced refrigerant management
Measurement and verification
Green power

Materials and Resources:

‘Scores:

v the Bears are losing to the Rams 75 to 95 at half-time (50%)
v Chicago to Washington 50 to 75
v Minnesota to Rams 5 to 10
v Rams to Cardinals 10 to 20
v Rams to Minnesota 10 to 20

(and in the background, the sound of a …) Roaring Crowd !!!’
equals
Storage and collection of recyclables
Building Reuse – maintain 75% of existing floors, walls, and roof
Building Reuse – maintain 95% of existing floors, walls, and roof
Building Reuse – maintain 50% of all non-structural elements
Construction Waste Management – divert 50% from disposal
Construction Waste Management – divert 75% from disposal
Materials Reuse – 5%
Materials Reuse – 10%
Recycled Content – 10% (post-consumer + ½ pre-consumer)
Recycled Content – 20% (post-consumer + ½ pre-consumer)
Regional Material – 10 % extracted, processed and manufactured regionally
Regional Material – 20 % extracted, processed and manufactured regionally
Rapidly renewable materials
Certified wood

Indoor Environmental Quality:

‘Mariana & Enrico Only Invite Characters Chanting ‘LaLaLaLa’ Inside Central Command. Those Trying ‘Dooowap’ – Dismissed!’
equals
Minimum IAQ performance
Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) control
Outdoor air delivery monitoring
Increased ventilation
Construction IAQ management plan
Construction IAQ management plan
Low-emmitting materials
Low-emmitting materials
Low-emmitting materials
Low-emmitting materials
Indoor chemical and pollutant source control
Controllability of systems
Controllability of systems
Thermal comfort
Thermal comfort
Daylighting and views
Daylighting and views

‘Low Apple Picking Can Create Aches.’
equals
Low-emmitting materials
1. Adhesives and sealants
2. Paints and coatings
3. Carpet systems
4. Composite woods and agrifiber

‘Managing a Daemonic Baby is like Controlling the Sun and the Wind.’
construction IAQ Management plan
1. During construction
2. Before occupancy
Controllability of systems
1. Light
2. Thermal Comfort

‘Thermal underwear was not Designed to be Verified.’
Thermal comfort
1. Design
2. Verification

‘75% of the Day is spent looking straight ahead.’
Daylighting and Views
1. Daylight 75% of spaces
2. Views for 90% of spaces

Innovation and Design Process:

just remember the two:
Innovation in Design
LEED AP

Materials & Resources strategies for remembering credit order

Credits listed in Materials & Resources:
MR P1    Storage & Collection of Recyclables
MR C1.1    Building Reuse – Maintain 75% of Existing Walls, Floor, Roof
MR C1.2    Building Reuse – Maintain 95% of Existing Walls, Floor, Roof
MR C1.3    Building Reuse – Maintain 50% of Interior Non-Structural Elements
MR C2.1    Construction Waste Management – Divert 50% from Disposal
MR C2.2    Construction Waste Management – Divert 75% from Disposal
MR C3.1    Materials Reuse – 5%
MR C3.2    Materials Reuse – 10%
MR C4.1    Recycled Content – 10% (post-consumer + ½ pre-consumer)
MR C4.2    Recycled Content – 20% (post-consumer + ½ pre-consumer)
MR C5.1    Regional Materials – 10% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Regionally
MR C5.2    Regional Materials – 20% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Regionally
MR C6    Rapidly Renewable Materials
MR C7    Certified Wood

Which is really difficult to make a mnemonic out of. In addition, for me, I need help remembering the numbers as well. So for Materials and Resources, I decided to revert to an imaginary NFL score report using the following important characters. Since I went to Washington University in St. Louis, and there happen to be a lot of R words in this credit list, you will notice that the Rams pop up quite a bit. In addition (as I am a visual person) I will add the team logos to help me.

S B R 75 95 50 C W 50 75 M R 5 10 R M 10 20R C

‘Scores:

v the Bears are losing to the Rams 75 to 95 at half-time (50%) (yay! would have been a big game back in college. we had a lot of Chi-Towners at Wash U)
v Chicago to Washington 50 to 75 (this one I have to remember I am using place name instead of team name)
v Minnesota to Rams 5 to 10 (I have no affilitation with Minnesota, but it was them or Miami whose logo wasn’t working.)
v Rams to Cardinals 10 to 20 (Rams have been busy, they got tired at the end here and started losing)
v Rams to Minnesota 10 to 20 (and utlimately lost to the team I don’t care about at all unfortunately… who they already played once today.)
(and in the background, the sound of a …) Roaring Crowd !!!’

So, in review…

‘Scores:
the Bears are losing to the Rams 75 to 95 at half-time (50%)
Chicago to Washington 50 to 75
Minnesota to Rams 5 to 10
Rams to Cardinals 10 to 20
Rams to Minnesota 10 to 20
(and in the background, the sound of a …) Roaring Crowd !!!’