USGBC’s COVID-19 Response

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is offering LEED incentives for actions taken in buildings to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. It also has provided guidance on construction projects, building re-entry for universities and K–12 schools, and facility management.

Safety First pilot credits

A total of six pilot credits are available—four for individual buildings (applicable to v2009, v4, and v4.1 projects) and two for LEED Cities and Communities.

• Safety First: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Space—This credit helps ensure that spaces are properly cleaned and sanitized without the use of harsh, toxic chemicals.
• Safety First: Re-enter Your Workspace—Referencing the American Institute of Architects’ Re-occupancy Assessment Tool, this credit encourages project teams to create a plan for managing re-entry, including protocols for controls such as social distancing.
• Safety First: Building Water System Recommissioning—With water systems idle due to low building occupancy, action is needed to assure water is safe to use and drink. This credit lays out guidance for doing that.
• Safety First: Managing Indoor Air Quality During COVID-19—Although the jury is still out on whether the COVID-19 virus is airborne, this credit directs project teams to manage HVAC systems to mitigate indoor air quality issues, including potential infection risk.
• Safety First: Pandemic Planning—This credit for cities and communities requires scaled-up pandemic response planning that includes an assessment of risks and community engagement to help mitigate the spread of infectious disease.
• Safety First: Social Equity in Pandemic Planning—This credit helps ensure that pandemic plans include all community members, including marginalized groups.

Remember that achievement of any pilot credit requires participation in the associated LEEDuser forum.

Building Re-entry with Arc (not just for LEED projects)

Building Re-Entry with Arc is a free, comprehensive tool to help with building re-entry management—including continuous improvement and optional integration with rating systems.

With the introduction of this program, Arc—the software platform that underlies LEED Online and is developed by Arc Skoru, the for-profit subsidiary of USGBC—is no longer just for LEED projects. If you help manage an existing space, you can use the re-entry resources here.

You can learn more in this webinar and this BuildingGreen article.

Outside resources

USGBC also maintains a page including other resources—mostly from third parties—on the following topics.

• Safety information for construction sites
• Re-opening guidance for K–12 schools and higher education
• Facility O&M resources