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!

Green Seal Standards

ok, so all the Grean Seal standards are for VOC content. Fantastic. Now, which one’s which?

GS-03:

Three rhymes with Flee, which is what you cannot do if you are bound by rusty chains! GS-03 sets VOC limits for anti-rust and anti-corrosive paints. This is applicable to credit EQ 4.2.

GS-11:

One One rhymes with Fun in the Sun, which is what you won’t have if you don’t paint yourself with sunblock! GS-11 sets VOC limits for commercial flat and non-flat paints. This is applicable to credit EQ 4.2.

GS-36:

Three Six rhymes with a Tea Fix, which is what my ex-flatmate used to have every morning before spraying hairspray all over her head (so glad I don’t have flatmates anymore). GS-36 sets VOC limits for aerosol adhesives. This is applicable to credit EQ 4.1.

ASHRAE standards

Ok… I hate these things. But I WILL memorize them.
For this, I am going to use the rhyming numbers method (combined with a couple keywords here and there… you’ll see).

to remember that:
ASHRAE 52.2 is about filtration media (MERV) and correlates to credits EQ 3.1 and EQ 5,
I will first assign rhyming words to relevant numbers:
5-hive; 2-blue; 3-bee; 1-run; 5-dive
now I create a visualization with these words…
There’s a hive (5), with a blue (2) sky behind it. There’s a guy named Mervin (MERV filters). He sees a bee (3)!!! First he tries to run (1), but then eventually he has to dive (5) into the ocean to escape.
and this is roughly what I see…

Now the other ASHRAE standards. I won’t get into the image assembly for these, so you will have to use your imagination!

ASHRAE 55 – thermal comfort – EQ 6.2 and EQ 7s
We’re with our friend again and there is still a hive (5). Again he has to dive (5). But this time it’s not so comfortable (Thermal Comfort). He accidentally hits some sticks (6) on his way down and loses a shoe (2). But don’t worry; he goes to heaven (7s).

ASHRAE 62 – ventilation – EQ p1, EQ 2, and EQ 6.2
There are some bricks (6) in a pile. Next to them is some glue (2). Some crazy person is building a wall in front of the vents (ventilation) in his office. When asked why he is doing it, he replies that he has to (required- prerequisite) and that he is not just doing it for fun (1). The other people in the office are so mad that one woman throws her shoe (2) at him. The other employees steel away the bricks (6) and glue (2).

ASHRAE 90 – energy and lighting – SS 8, EA p2, EA 1
There’s a glass of wine (9) next to the bed (0-zed). There’s a woman with no energy to get up and turn off the light (energy and lighting). She demands (pre-requisite) that her boyfriend do it instead. He also doesn’t want to get up, so he throws his shoe (2). Then he says, ‘That was fun (1)’!

p.s. – Added by Allison to ASHRAE 90 – “So they sleep soundly (SS) for 8 hours.” (Thanks, Allison!)

Please excuse all the shoe-throwing references, but Bush rarely gets mentioned these days.

possible questions for EQ 8.1

possible questions for EQ 8.1:

1. What are the 3 options to meet the requirements of this credit?

2. Which variables are used to determine the glazing factor?

3. How does LEED define daylight glazing versus vision glazing?

4. What are the best practice glare controls for side-lighting and top-lighting?

5. What steps should you take to implement Option 1?

6. What steps should you take to implement Option 2?

7. How does a project team comply using Option 3?

8. What is the alternative compliance path to a spreadsheet determining applicable rooms or areas that have over 2% glazing factor?

answers:

1. ‘calculate, model, or measure’:
Option 1 – Glazing Factor Calculation – achieve a minimum glazing factor of 2%  in a minimum of 75% of all regularly occupied areas.
Option 2 – Daylight Simulation Model – through computer simulation, demonstrate a minimum daylight illumination level of 25 footcandles in a minimum of 75% of all occupied spaces (clear sky, noon, equinox, 30” above floor)
Option 3 – Daylight Measurement – show through recorded measurements on the floor plan that a minimum daylight illumination level of 25 footcandles has been achieved in a minimum of 75% of all regularly occupied spaces (measurements taken on a 10 foot grid).

2. Glazing Factor = (window area ÷ floor area) × (window geometry factor) × (actual transmittance ÷ minimal transmittance) × (window height factor)

3. Daylight glazing is window areas above 7’6”; Vision glazing is 2’6” to 7’6”; below 2’6” does not contribute to these calculations

4. I had to sketch this to make myself remember it. You should try doing this as well.

5. ‘Some Football Associations from WAshington and West Texas use Growth Hormone Factor. VerMonT and ConnecticuT 2 Saw Over 75 Ghf Cases.’(long but at least it makes a bit more sense this time!):
Spreadsheet to determine all regularly occupied rooms
Floor Areas determined and entered into spreadsheet
Window Areas calculated
Window Types indicated
Geometry and Height Factors inserted
Visible and Minimum Transmittances
Calculate glazing factor for each window type
Total glazing factor for each room
2% glazing factor or greater means room’s square footage is applicable to credit
Sum all rooms’ sq.footage ÷ total sq.ft. of Occupied space
75% or greater gets you the credit point
plus Glare Control for each window

6. ‘Men’s Health Cases have Grown from 30 ×2 ‘Cause Delaware Institutions Can Not Eradicate it Longterm. Some Football Associations in MILton (delaware) had more than 25 and Saw Over 75 Ghf Cases.’
Model the daylight simulation with a
Horizontal Calculation Grid 30 inches above the floor at 2 foot intervals
Calculate the Daylight Illumination: Clear skies, Noon, Equinox, Location specific.
Spreadsheet with Floor Areas and Minimum Illumination Levels (from simulation)
more than 25 footcandles means that room’s sq.ft. is applicable
Sum all rooms’ sq.footage ÷ total sq.ft. of Occupied space
75% or greater gets you the credit point
plus Glare Control for each window

7. Take actual illumination measurements and enter them into the spreadsheet for the same requirements as Options 1 and 2.

8. You can split the rooms or areas up into applicable areas (of over 2% glazing factor) and non-applicable areas. All areas contribute to the total sum of occupied space.

possible questions for EQ 4.2

possible questions for EQ 4.2:

1. What standards do paints and coatings have to meet to qualify for this credit?

2. Which VOC limit is primer subject to?

3. Can you list the examples of limits from SCAQMD that are shown in the reference manual?

4. Is there an alternative compliance path for achieving this credit?

5. What submittal information is required when using the VOC Budget Calculation method?

answers:

1. Paints: GS-11, Rust: GS-03, Stains: SCAQMD 1113 – need to find better way to remember that… working on it. Here’s the full list:
Architectural paints, coatings, and primers applied to interior walls and ceilings – Green Seal Standard GS-11, Paints, First Edition, May 20, 1993.
Anti-corrosive and anti-rust paints applied to interior ferrous metal substrates – Green Seal Standard GS-03, Anti-Corrosive Paints, Second Edition, January 7, 1997.
Clear wood finishes, floor coatings, stains, sealers, and shellacs applied to interior elements – South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule 1113, Architectural Coatings, rules in effect on January 1, 2004.

2. The same as that for non-flat paint – 150g/L. (Flat paint – 50 g/L)

3. In order of magnitude is best. At least then you might remember relative limits if not the actual numbers (all units are g/L):
730 – clear shellac
550 – pigmented shellac
550 – lacquer
350 – varnish
275 – sanding sealers
250 – waterproofing sealers
250 – stains
200 – all other sealers
100 – floor coatings
That makes the mnemonic, ‘Computers Provide a Large Value. So What. Still Aren’t Functional!’ (As you can see, my computer and I are having difficulties getting along today)

4. Yes, to allow for specialty applications for which there is no low-VOC product option. It’s called the VOC Budget Calculation. It may be used for EQ 4.1 or 4.2. Documentation must demonstrate that the overall VOC emissions for the design case are less than the baseline case.

5. name of product, application rate, class or use, actual VOC level, and a narrative

possible questions for EQ 3.2

possible questions for EQ 3.2:

1. What are the two general ways that you can meet this requirement?

2. If a project team decides to do a flush-out, what are the associated requirements?

3. How does a team demonstrate compliance through air quality testing to earn this credit?

4. How is a compliant air quality test conducted?

5. Explain the chemical contaminants which LEED regulates in this credit.

answers:

1. with either a flush-out or air quality testing

2. ❶ ‘14000-60-60’ : After construction ends, prior to occupancy and with all interior finishings installed, perform a building flush-out by supplying a total air volume of 14,000 cu.ft. of outdoor air per sq.ft. of floor area while maintaining an internal temperature of at least 60°F and a relative humidity no higher than 60%. OR
❷ ‘3500 – 0.3 – 3’ : Occupancy can begin following a minimum of 3,500 Cu.Ft. of outdoor air per sq.ft. of floor area, as long as the flush out continues after occupancy at a minimum rate of the greater value between 0.30 cfm/sq.ft. of outside air or the design minimum outside air rate determined in EQ p1. Ventilation will begin 3 hours prior to occupancy each day until 14,000 cu.ft./sq.ft. of outside air has been delivered to the space.

3. ❶ Conduct tests in accordance with the EPA’s Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Air Pollutants in Indoor Air. ❷ Demonstrate that contaminant maximums are not exceeded. ❸ Flush-out and retest problem spots.

4. ‘FLIP ‘N HoP’ : ❶ Furniture encouraged but not required ❷ Locations of sampling tests ≥ 1 per 25,000 sq.ft. for each floor ❸ Interior finishes installed ❹ Prior to occupancy ❺ Normal conditions ❻ Height -3 to 6 feet from floor ❼ Period – min 4 hour period

5. ‘the FTP for a PC is 50,500,50,6.5,9,2’ -
❶ Formaldehyde: gas emitted from many sources, including building materials, glues, adhesives, carpets, composite wood furnishings, permanent pressed fabrics and combustion sources. Credit Limit = 50 parts per billion.
❷ Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC): the sum of all VOC’s in the air emitted by materials in a building, including some carcinogenic compounds. Sources include building materials, glues, adhesives, carpets, composite wood furnishings, permanent pressed fabrics and combustion sources. Credit Limit = 500 micrograms per cubic meter.
❸ Particulate Matter (PM10): airborne particulates in the form of dust coming from construction activities and outdoor air. Credit Limit = 50 micrograms per cubic meter.
❹ 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PCH): odorous compound referred to as ‘new carpet smell’, emitted form the styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) binder used to hold carpet fibers to backing. Credit Limit = 6.5 micrograms per cubic meter.
❺ Carbon Monoxide (CO): colorless, odorless, tasteless gas emitted from sources such as vehicle exhaust, wood stoves, kerosene heaters, and cigarettes. Credit Limit = 9 parts per million, and no more than 2 parts per million above outdoor concentrations.

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

possible questions for EA 1

possible questions for EA 1:

1. What are the four options listed under the requirements for this credit?

2. How does the AHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 Building Performance Rating Method work?

3. What is the major difference between the proposed design model and the baseline model when using the Performance Rating Method?

4. When using the Performance Rating Method, what do you do if you do not intend to install mechanical heating and/or cooling?

5. When on-site renewable energy is being employed, what methods may be used to calculate the Proposed Building Performance?

6. What documentation is necessary when using the Exceptional Calculation Method?

7. What are the most common mistakes when using the Performance Rating Method?

8. What are the 4 fundamental strategies for improving energy performance?

9. How does the point system work for Option 1 under the Performance Rating Method?

10. How do you calculate the Percentage Improvement?

11. What default percentage must the process energy cost be?

12. What’s the difference between what is considered process energy and regulated energy?

13. What are the restrictions for choosing Option 2 as a compliance path?

14. What changes could you make to a building’s fenestration in order to result in summer cooling energy performance improvement for a cooling dominated office building?

15. If a project team choses Option 2, what must be known about the project first?

answers:

1. This is a bit confusing to remember because they like to use the same combination of words for several different guides. Try to remember them by their small differences in names.
❶ Whole building energy simulation or model using the AHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 Building Performance Rating Method (1-10 points available),
❷ Prescriptive compliance path with ASHRAE Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Office Buildings 2004 (4 points available),
❸ Prescriptive compliance path with Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide by the New Buildings Institute (2-5 points available), or
❹ Prescriptive compliance path with Advanced Buildings Benchmark Version 1.1, which is no longer available as an option as of June 26, 2007 (1 point available).
It also helps to remember them in order of how many possible points you could earn. That would be: Benchmark, Small Offices, Performance, Simulation/Model… or ‘Benches in Offices Perform like Models’ and I use Frank Gehry’s Tokyo Bench as an image to help me remember it.

Benches in Offices Perform like Models

2. By calculating a percentage improvement of the annual energy cost for the proposed design (’Proposed Building Performance’) versus the annual energy cost of a baseline case (’Baseline Building Performance’). 5 energy simulation runs are required in order to demonstrate compliance – one model of the proposed design and four of the baseline case at four different orientations.

3. The windows. In the baseline they shall be evenly distributed and the Solar Heat Gain Coefficients (SHGCs) must be adjusted depending on orientation.

4. You can achieve credit by modeling fan systems as “cycling” in the proposed design versus “continuously operated” fans in the baseline case.

5. ❶ model the systems directly into the energy model for the proposed design ❷ use the Exceptional Calculation Method to model the systems and subtract the site-recovered energy from the total energy cost.

6. a list of assumptions for both cases, theoretical or empirical information supporting these assumptions, and the specific energy cost savings achieved

7.   look in your reference manual for explanations of each mistake -pp 189-190
mistakes made on calculations in general – ‘CERFECT’ (similar to perfect, but not quite perfect as someone made a mistake): Chillers, ECB method, Ratings, Fenestration, ECM method, Consumption, Tradability.
mistakes made to baseline design model- ‘WHAD?’ (similar to what?, but not quite perfect again): Window areas, HVAC system types, Air volume, Distribution of fenestration
mistakes made to proposed design model- task lighting only

8. In order to reduce energy load, you have to be a ‘DO-ER’ : ❶ reduce Demand ❷ harvest On-site energy ❸ increase Efficiency ❹ Recover waste energy

9. For new buildings, starting at a 10.5% improvement of the Proposed case over the Baseline case, for every 3.5% gained you get 1 point (up to 42% gain, which earns you 10 points). For existing buildings, starting at a 3.5% improvement of the Proposed case over the Baseline case, for every 3.5% gained you get 1 point (up to 35% gain, which earns you 10 points). The important numbers to remember are the starting points and the increment of improvement. 3.5, 10.5, 3.5.

10. Percentage Improvement = 100% – [1- (Proposed Building Performance ÷ Baseline Building Performance)]

11. 25% unless you provide supporting documentation to show why it is lower.

12. process energy – office equipment, computers, elevators and escalators, kitchen cooking and refrigeration, laundry washing and drying, lighting exempt from lighting power allowance
regulated energy – ‘LAW’ (like regulation) Lighting, HVAC, and service Water heating.

13. Must be an OFFICE under 20,000 sq.ft. and team must comply with appropriate climate zone as listed in the ASHREA Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Office Buildings.

14. ❶ Reduce the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient. SHGC is expressed as a number between 0 and 1. The lower a window’s solar heat gain coefficient, the less solar heat it transmits. ❷ Reduce the U-Factor. The rate of heat loss is indicated in terms of the U-factor (U-value) of a window assembly. The lower the U-value, the greater a window’s resistance to heat flow and the better its insulating value.

15. climate zone

possible questions for SS 7.2

possible questions for ss 7.2:

1. A low-sloped roof must have an SRI of ___ ? And a steep-sloped roof?

2. What are the 3 options for completing this credit?

3. How do you earn the ID credit for this?

answers:

1. ‘78, got a date. 2:12, we stick like glue. 29, now he’s mine.’ This little rhyme helps me remember the numbers in order, with 78 SRI applying to low-sloped roofs, 2:12 being the determining slope, above which – SRI 29 applies.

2. Either the SRI for 75% of the roof has to meet the 78/2:12/29 criteria OR you have a 100% green roof OR you do a combo of these two strategies where the total roof area = (area of SRI roof × 75%) + (area of green roof × 50%)

3. full on green roof 100%

possible questions for SS 6.1

possible questions for SS 6.1:

1. They could give you an example project with an existing imperviousness greater than 50%, and then give you the runoff rate and quantity from before the development. Then the question would be to calculate the post-development runoff rate and quantity to qualify for SS 6.1.
Example A: A project site has an existing imperviousness of 80%. The pre-development runoff rate is 100 cfs and the pre-development runoff quantity is 10,000 cf. What must the post-development runoff rate and quantity be to earn SS 6.1?

2. What strategies could help mitigate a site impervious area?

3. It’s possible to reuse stormwater for non-potable water purposes such as what?

4. In a project with an existing imperviousness less than 50%, and what is required in order to earn this credit?

5. A project team wishes to use pressurization in order to harvest rainwater for irrigation. What other items must be addressed by the team based on adding this feature?

6. What records must be submitted for this credit?

answers:

1. The requirements of Option 2 of this credit say that the post-development rate and quantity must be 25% less than the pre-development values to earn this credit. We can remember the requirements of Option 2 by the simple math equation: 50 / 2 = 25 (over 50% is option 2, which requires 25% less runoff).
Example A: The post-development runoff rate must be under 75 cfs, and the post-development runoff quantity must be under 7,500 cf.

2. ‘Harvest your veggies before the pervious roofing causes clusters of ponds at your feet’. ❶ stormwater harvesting ❷ vegetated filter strips or bioswales ❸ pervious paving materials ❹ green roofs ❺ clustering development ❻ retention ponds ❼ smaller building footprint

3. Landscape irrigation, fire suppression, toilet and urinal flushing, and custodial uses.

4. Create a stormwater management plan that prevent the post-development runoff rate and quantity from exceeding the pre-devlopment values for 1-yr, 2-yr, and 24-hr design storm OR implement a stream channel protection strategy and quantity control strategy. Remember a math equation similar to the one for Option 2… (50 / 1 = 50), where in projects with lest than 50% imperviousness, following the requirements of Option 1, you must maintain  or better the same value.

5. Commissioning of the system, because a pump for the pressurization will consume energy and anything consuming energy must be commissioned. And the conveyance system to keep the rainwater from being connected to potable water. For questions like this, as well as synergy questions, you can go through a small checklist of things to consider when capturing and reusing stormwater runoff. ‘WDD.CPP’ ❶ water need ❷ drawdown ❸ drainage area ❹ conveyance system ❺ pretreatment ❻ pressurization. And of course commissioning is just an extra you should always think about.

6. Pre and post development runoff rates and quantities and a narrative describing project conditions, measures taken, and controls installed.

possible questions for ss 5.2

possible questions for ss 5.2:

1. Given a local zoning requirement and the size of a project, how many total acres of open space must the project contain to qualify for this credit?
Example A: On a 20 acre project, local zoning requires 4 acres of open space. How many total acres of open space must the project contain to qualify for this credit?

2. If an area has no local zoning requirements, how would a project achieve this credit (for example military bases, and some college campuses)?

3. What are some methods or strategies for increasing the amount of open space?

4. If a project has received credit for SS 2, and is attempting to achieve this credit as well, what allowances does it get?

5. Do wetlands count as open space?

6. How do you achieve the ID credit?

answers:

1. Where a local zoning requirement exists, you must exceed it by 25%. I remember the 3 options with a dimension – 25’20. 25% reduction on any existing zoning requirements; foot = area of building footprint for places with no zoning; and 20% of site for places with incomplete zoning.
Example A: In this case, instead of 4 acres, you would be required to reserve 5 acres as open space to get the credit.

2. Maintain open space equal to the building footprint. Use 25’20 again to remember options.

3. site the building to minimize disruption to ecosystems, install a vegetated roof, share facilities, install pedestrian hardscape.

4. vegetated roof areas can contribute to calculation AND pedestrian-oriented hardscape areas can contribute (as long as 25% of the open space is vegetated).

5. Wetlands only count as open space if the side slope gradients average 1:4 (vert:horiz) or less and are vegetated.

6. double the amount of open space required. so instead of 25’20, you would have 502’40 where: in option 1, you must exceed zoning requirements by 50%; in option 2, you must double the building footprint; and in option 3, you must provide open space 40% of site area.

possible questions for ss 5.1

possible questions for ss 5.1:

1. What are the various site disturbance limits for this credit?

2. What is included in the definition of the ‘building footprint’?

3. What strategies should be used to limit site disturbance?

4. Given an example previously developed site, how much of the site area needs to be protected or have vegetation restored to qualify for this credit?
Example A: A 1,500,000 sq.ft. previously developed site has a building footprint of 500,000 sq.ft. How much of the site needs to be be protected or restored?

5. How can you earn the ID credit?

6. If a project has already earned SS 2 credit, what are its special allowances concerning this credit?

7. Can a project with a zero lot-line on a greenfield site still earn this credit?

answers:

1. 40 feet beyond building perimeter; 10 feet beyond surface walkways, patios, surface parking and utilities less than 12 inches in diameter; 15 feet beyond primary roadway curbs and main utility branch trenches; and 25 feet beyond constructed areas with permeable surfaces. Lots of numbers to remember here; helps me to think of the visual with the zeros on the ends and the 5s in the middle. Then use – ‘10,15,25,40: Walk down the road to permeate the perimeter’ – to remember the limits.

2. The ‘building footprint’, as defined by the reference book, is “the area on a project site that is used by the building structure and is defined by the perimeter of the building plan. Parking lots, landscapes and other non-building facilities are not included in the building footprint”.

3. ‘suscup’ strategies: ❶ Stacking development ❷ Underground parking ❸ Share facilities ❹ mark Clear construction boundaries ❺ Utilize plant experts ❻ Prohibit invasive plants

4. For previously developed sites, 50% of the area of the site (excluding the building footprint) must be protected or restored (*see 6 below).
Example A: the answer is 500,000 sq.ft.

5. Only if it is on a previously developed or graded site, you can earn the ID credit by protecting or restoring 75% of the site (excluding the building footprint).

6. If a project has earned SS 2, then a vegetated roof surface may apply to the calculation. In this case 20% of the site area needs to be covered with native plants (as opposed to 50%).

7. no

possible questions for SS 4.2

possible questions for SS 4.2

1. Given the building type and number of Full Time Equivalent Occupants, how many showers are required?
Example A: A commercial building has 1500 FTE occupants. How many showers are required to earn SS 4.2?

2. Given the building type and number of building occupants, how many secure bicycle storage spaces are required?
Example B: A 5-story condominium project has an estimated 2000 building occupants. How many bike storage spaces are required to earn SS 4.2?

3. Given the building type and the number of full-time and part-time occupants, how many showers are required?
Example C: An office building with 180 full-time employees and 40 part-time employees (at 20 hours per week) has 30 peak period visitors per day.

4. If a project choses to use shared showering and changing facilities, how close to the building entrance do they need to be?

answers

1. I personally hate TV… mainly because I hate the ads. First, we need to remember that the option for commercial buildings in this credit requires that 5% of all building users (at peak) must have a place to store their bikes. Then, by remembering our funny phrase, ‘commercials are smelly’, only 0.5% of the FTE occupants actually take a shower once they arrive. So you just have to remember the number 5 at two different orders of magnitude.
Example A: Since 0.5% of 1500 FTE occupants is 7.5, and we can’t have 7.5 showers… we round up to 8.

2. For residential buildings (which are far less smelly), 15% or more of the building occupants must have bike storage spaces.
Example B: 300 spaces required.

3. Calculate the FTE occupants using the formula below, and then calculate 0.5% of that many occupants.
Example C:
180 full-timers (180 × 8 hours/day) = 1440 manhours ÷ 8 hour workday = 180 FTEs
40 part-timers (40 × 4 hours/day) = 160 manhours ÷ 8 hour workday = 20 FTEs
so, 200 FTEs × 0.5% = 1
peak period visitors do no count.

4. 200 yards.

possible questions for SS 4.1

possible questions for SS 4.1:

1. What are the 2 compliance paths for this credit?

2. How close does a building’s entrance need to be to a rail or bus line?

3. How can you earn the ID credit for the Alternative Transportation Credits 4.1-4.4?

4. What documents should be submitted for this credit?

5. If a project is located more than the minimum distance from a bus or rail line, is there a way to still achieve this credit?

answers:

1. Develop within ½ mile of a commuter rail, light rail, or subway station OR develop within ¼ mile of  ≥ 1 stop for ≥ 2 public or campus bus lines. You can remember this with the math equations, (rail = stop × 2 bus lines) and (½ = ¼ × 1 × 2).

2. Remembering our equation (½ = ¼ × 1 × 2), ½ from a rail line OR ¼ from at least 1 stop on at least 2 bus lines.

3. By instituting a transportation management plan that quantifiably reduces auto use.

4. Vicinity drawing showing site location and rail or bus lines.

5. Yes, provide shuttle buses to the public transportation.

possible questions for SS 2

possible questions for SS 2

1. Straight up question – what are the two options for meeting the requirements of SS 2?

2. What is included in the development density calculation?

3. What is a density radius calculation used for?

4. How many times can services be counted?

5. What documentation is required for this credit?

6. How do you earn exemplary performance for this credit?

answers

1. Remember the principles of the options from the name of the credit: The first option is  the density of where you chose to develop; the second option is the connection to community services. Another thing that may help is just reciting the numbers – 60,000 and (½ of 5). 60,000 is the minimum development density in sq.ft. per acre for Option 1. And  (½ of 5) doubles for both requirements of Option 2 – within ½ mile of a residential zone with at least 10 units per acres AND within ½ mile of 10 basic services. Remember, always on a previously developed site.

2. According to the reference guide, “both the project density and the densities of surrounding developments must be considered… Include all properties in the density calculations except for undeveloped public areas such as parks and water bodies. Do not include public roads and right-of-way areas.”

3. to define the properties included in the development density calculation

4. All services can only be counted once, except restaurants which may be counted twice.

5. gross building area and project site area

6. must meet one of the following: ❶ project has a density double that of avg density in calculated area ❷ avg density in area twice as large is at least 120,000 sq.ft per acre

SS 4.1: Alternative Transportation – Public Transportation Access

intent:
reduce negative impacts from the use of cars

requirements:
develop within ½ mile of a commuter rail, light rail, or subway station
OR
develop within ¼ mile of  ≥ 1 stop for ≥ 2 public or campus bus lines
(math: rail = bus × 2 stops; ½ = ¼ × 2)

standards referenced:
none

implementation:
select a convenient site for public transportation of occupants

decision makers:
owner
ultimately selects the site

exemplary performance:
1 ID point is available for the entire Alternative Transportation Credit 4 by:
creating an ‘alternative transportation management plan’ that shows a significant reduction in personal automobile use, including:
develop within ½ mile of ≥ 2 commuter rail, light rail, or subway lines
OR
develop within ¼ mile of ≥ 2 stops for ≥ 4 public or campus bus lines
AND
service must be ≥ 200 rides per day are available total at these stops
(discussion/math: ID = 2 × credit requirements. Another way to say this – ID = 200% of credit requirements)

submittal phase:
design

calculations:
create an area drawing with pedestrian routes marked, a scale, a north arrow, the entrance of the project, and the rail or bus stops.

SS 2: Development Density & Community Connectivity

intent
Direct development to dense areas with existing infrastructure in order to preserve undeveloped land.

requirements
option 1: (development density)
- on a previously developed site AND
- in a community with minimum density of 60,000 (ft2 / net acre)
option 2: (community connectivity)
- on a previously developed site AND
- within ½ mile of residential zone with average density 10 (units / net acre) AND
- within ½ mile of at least 10 basic services AND
- with pedestrian access from building to services
(discussion: Remember the principles of the options from the name of the credit: The first option is  the density of where you chose to develop; the second option is the connection to community services.)
(math: 60,000 > ½ * 10 + ½ * 10)

standards referenced
none

implementation
chose sites in dense urban areas

decision makers
owner -
ultimately selects the site
design team -
work with local development plans to achieve density goals

exemplary performance
1 point available:
(meet the requirements for Option 1 and then…)
ex path 1:
- project must have double that of the average density within calculated area OR
ex path 2:
- average density within an area 2x as large as that for base credit must be > 120,000 (ft2 / net acre)
(discussion: Remember this from the name of the credit again. Either the Development doubles its density, or the Community has double the density in double the area.)

submittal phase
design

calculations

option 1 calculations:

first, we have to determine that the project density is greater than 60,000 (ft2 / net acre):
① determine total area of project site (as defined by scope)
② determine total square footage of building
③ calculate development density using formula below
④ verify that the development density is greater than 60,000 (ft2 / net acre)

then we have to determine the densities of the surrounding developments:
① determine the density radius using formula below
② determine density boundary by overlaying density radius on center of site in a map of project area and surrounds
③ create a table with each included property’s building square footage and site area (do not include public areas, public roads, and right-of-way areas)
④ sum the square footage values and site area values respectively
⑤ determine the average property density using the formula below
⑥ verify that the average property density is greater than 60,000 (ft2 / net acre)

option 2 calculations:

① prepare a site map with a ½-mile radius around the main building entrance
② mark all residential developments within the radius; at least one area zoned for residential must be greater than 10 units per acre
③ mark all commercial buildings within the radius; at least 10 community services must be present (counted only once, except restaurants 2 may count); only services with pedestrian access from building
④ prepare a table of services to show compliance

exemplary performance calculations:

① first, comply with option 1
② then, using the formula below, show that one of the following is true:
➊ project itself has a ‘development density’ 2 x that of ‘average property density’
➋ the ‘average property density’ for an area 2 x as large as base credit area (multiply property area x 2 before using formula) must be greater than 120,000 (ft2 / net acre)

formulas

where the units are…
development density (ft2 / net acre)
gross building area (ft2)
project site area (ft2 / net acre)

where the units are…
development density (ft2 / net acre)
gross building area (ft2)
project site area (ft2 / net acre)

where the units are…
average property density (ft2 / net acre)
total square footage (ft2)
total site area (ft2 / net acre)

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 !!!’