*Updated 8/1/2011 with addenda ID # 100000997* In the first line of the third paragraph, remove "template calculator to aid in documenting performance" and replace with "sample calculation" so the text becomes "A sample calculation for this credit is available..."
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Credit achievement rate
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LEEDuser expert
Jason Franken
Sustainability Professional
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Develop a lighting purchasing plan that specifies maximum levels of mercury permitted in mercury-containing lamps purchased for the building and associated grounds, including lamps for both indoor and outdoor fixtures, as well as both hard-wired and portable fixtures. The purchasing plan must specify a target for the overall average of mercury content in lamps of 90 picograms per lumen-hour or less. The plan must include lamps for both indoor and outdoor fixtures, as well as both hard-wired and portable fixtures. The plan must require that at least 90% of purchased lamps comply with the target (as measured by the number of lamps). Lamps containing no mercury may be counted toward plan compliance only if they have energy efficiency at least as good as their mercury-containing counterparts. Implement the lighting purchasing plan during the performance period such that all purchased mercury-containing lamps comply with the plan. One point is awarded to projects for which at least 90% of all mercury-containing lamps purchased during the performance period (as measured by the number of lamps) comply with the purchasing plan and meet the following overall target for mercury content of 90 picograms per lumen-hour. Exception: Screw-based, integral compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) may be excluded from both the plan and the performance calculation if they comply with the voluntary industry guidelines for maximum mercury content published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), as described in the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Operations & Maintenance, 2009 Edition. [Europe ACP: NEMA Equivalent] Screw-based, integral CFLs that do not comply with the NEMA guidelines [Europe ACP: NEMA Equivalent] must be included in the purchasing plan and the performance calculation. Performance metrics for lamps — including mercury content (mg/lamp), mean light output (lumens) and rated life (hours) — must be derived according to industry standards, as described in the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Operations & Maintenance, 2009 Edition. Mercury values generated by toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) tests do not provide the required mercury information for LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance and cannot be used in the calculation. LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance addresses only the lamps purchased during the performance period, not the lamps installed in the building. Similarly, LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance does not require that each purchased lamp comply with the specified mercury limit; only the overall average of purchased lamps must comply. Mercury-containing lamps (or their high-efficiency counterparts) must be purchased during the performance period to earn points in this credit.
Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)
Europe ACP: NEMA Equivalent
Projects in Europe may exclude CFLs if they comply with the criteria listed in Annex III of the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances of the European Union Directive (EU RoHS.) Screw-based, integral CFLs that do not comply with the NEMA guidelines (or EU RoHS for projects in Europe) must be included in the purchasing plan and the performance calculation. [view:embed_resource=page_1=2740840]Credit substitution available
You may use the LEED v4 version of this credit on v2009 projects. For more information check out this article.What does it cost?
Cost estimates for this credit
On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.
Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »Frequently asked questions
The project building includes a significant amount of process lighting (i.e. sports arena lighting or studio lighting). Do these lamps need to be included?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
There are no mercury-containing lamps installed in the project building. Can we upload a signed statement from our property manager instead of completing the credit form and documentation?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
A large multi-tenant project does not have a uniform lighting standard, therefore there are a number of different types of lamps are installed on the project. How should we go about documenting this credit?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Do we need to provide a purchasing plan if the lamp inventory of currently installed lamps shows that the average mercury content is already below 90 picograms per lumen-hour?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Do lamps for task lighting need to be included in the purchasing plan?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Do mercury-free lamps need to be included in Table MRc4-1 Lamp Purchasing Plan and Table MRc4-2 Performance Period Lamp Purchasing?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
All of the outdoor fixtures in the project building are mercury-free. Can we exclude all outdoor fixtures from the purchasing plan?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
The project building is a large multi-tenant building and tenants are responsible for their own lamp purchases. Can lamps in tenant spaces be excluded?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
How do you know if a lamp meets the NEMA guidelines, and can therefore be excluded?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Addenda
1/15/2016 – Updated: 4/7/2016
Form Update
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/8/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/8/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
*Updated 8/1/2011 with addenda ID # 100000997* In the first line of the third paragraph, remove "template calculator to aid in documenting performance" and replace with "sample calculation" so the text becomes "A sample calculation for this credit is available..."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Delete the Alternative Compliance Path for Projects Outside the U.S.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
8/1/2011 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
*Update from addenda issue ID# 100000250, originally posted 1/8/2010* Remove the third paragraph.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
8/1/2011 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
*Update from addenda issue ID# 100000250, originally posted 1/8/2010* Remove the third paragraph.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/4/2016
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
Does a project have to purchase lamps during the performance period to earn the MRc4 Sustainable Purchasing - Reduced Mercury in Lamps?
Ruling:
In a situation where no new lamps are needed, no, a project team does not need to purchase lamps solely to meet the requirements of the credit. The team must document that the purchasing policy is being followed by providing a letter signed by the responsible party confirming that no new lamps were purchased during the performance period. If new lamps were purchased, the project would follow the existing documentation requirements.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
Checklists
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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Develop a lighting purchasing plan that specifies maximum levels of mercury permitted in mercury-containing lamps purchased for the building and associated grounds, including lamps for both indoor and outdoor fixtures, as well as both hard-wired and portable fixtures. The purchasing plan must specify a target for the overall average of mercury content in lamps of 90 picograms per lumen-hour or less. The plan must include lamps for both indoor and outdoor fixtures, as well as both hard-wired and portable fixtures. The plan must require that at least 90% of purchased lamps comply with the target (as measured by the number of lamps). Lamps containing no mercury may be counted toward plan compliance only if they have energy efficiency at least as good as their mercury-containing counterparts. Implement the lighting purchasing plan during the performance period such that all purchased mercury-containing lamps comply with the plan. One point is awarded to projects for which at least 90% of all mercury-containing lamps purchased during the performance period (as measured by the number of lamps) comply with the purchasing plan and meet the following overall target for mercury content of 90 picograms per lumen-hour. Exception: Screw-based, integral compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) may be excluded from both the plan and the performance calculation if they comply with the voluntary industry guidelines for maximum mercury content published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), as described in the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Operations & Maintenance, 2009 Edition. [Europe ACP: NEMA Equivalent] Screw-based, integral CFLs that do not comply with the NEMA guidelines [Europe ACP: NEMA Equivalent] must be included in the purchasing plan and the performance calculation. Performance metrics for lamps — including mercury content (mg/lamp), mean light output (lumens) and rated life (hours) — must be derived according to industry standards, as described in the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Operations & Maintenance, 2009 Edition. Mercury values generated by toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) tests do not provide the required mercury information for LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance and cannot be used in the calculation. LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance addresses only the lamps purchased during the performance period, not the lamps installed in the building. Similarly, LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance does not require that each purchased lamp comply with the specified mercury limit; only the overall average of purchased lamps must comply. Mercury-containing lamps (or their high-efficiency counterparts) must be purchased during the performance period to earn points in this credit.
Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)
Europe ACP: NEMA Equivalent
Projects in Europe may exclude CFLs if they comply with the criteria listed in Annex III of the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances of the European Union Directive (EU RoHS.) Screw-based, integral CFLs that do not comply with the NEMA guidelines (or EU RoHS for projects in Europe) must be included in the purchasing plan and the performance calculation. [view:embed_resource=page_1=2740840]Credit substitution available
You may use the LEED v4 version of this credit on v2009 projects. For more information check out this article.XX%
Upgrade to LEEDuser Premium to see how many projects achieved this credit. Try it free »
Got the gist of MRc4 but not sure how to actually achieve it? LEEDuser gives step-by-step help. Premium members get:
- Checklists covering all the key action steps you'll need to earn the credit.
- Hot tips to give you shortcuts and avoid pitfalls.
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- All checklists organized by project phase.
- On-the-fly suggestions of useful items from the Documentation Toolkit and Credit Language.
In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit, for premium members only, saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:
- Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
- Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
- Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
- Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
- Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
- Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.
The project building includes a significant amount of process lighting (i.e. sports arena lighting or studio lighting). Do these lamps need to be included?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
There are no mercury-containing lamps installed in the project building. Can we upload a signed statement from our property manager instead of completing the credit form and documentation?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
A large multi-tenant project does not have a uniform lighting standard, therefore there are a number of different types of lamps are installed on the project. How should we go about documenting this credit?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Do we need to provide a purchasing plan if the lamp inventory of currently installed lamps shows that the average mercury content is already below 90 picograms per lumen-hour?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Do lamps for task lighting need to be included in the purchasing plan?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Do mercury-free lamps need to be included in Table MRc4-1 Lamp Purchasing Plan and Table MRc4-2 Performance Period Lamp Purchasing?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
All of the outdoor fixtures in the project building are mercury-free. Can we exclude all outdoor fixtures from the purchasing plan?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
The project building is a large multi-tenant building and tenants are responsible for their own lamp purchases. Can lamps in tenant spaces be excluded?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
How do you know if a lamp meets the NEMA guidelines, and can therefore be excluded?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
1/15/2016 – Updated: 4/7/2016
Form Update
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/8/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
*Updated 8/1/2011 with addenda ID # 100000997* In the first line of the third paragraph, remove "template calculator to aid in documenting performance" and replace with "sample calculation" so the text becomes "A sample calculation for this credit is available..."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/8/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
*Updated 8/1/2011 with addenda ID # 100000997* In the first line of the third paragraph, remove "template calculator to aid in documenting performance" and replace with "sample calculation" so the text becomes "A sample calculation for this credit is available..."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Delete the Alternative Compliance Path for Projects Outside the U.S.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
8/1/2011 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
*Update from addenda issue ID# 100000250, originally posted 1/8/2010* Remove the third paragraph.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
8/1/2011 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
*Update from addenda issue ID# 100000250, originally posted 1/8/2010* Remove the third paragraph.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/4/2016
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
Does a project have to purchase lamps during the performance period to earn the MRc4 Sustainable Purchasing - Reduced Mercury in Lamps?
Ruling:
In a situation where no new lamps are needed, no, a project team does not need to purchase lamps solely to meet the requirements of the credit. The team must document that the purchasing policy is being followed by providing a letter signed by the responsible party confirming that no new lamps were purchased during the performance period. If new lamps were purchased, the project would follow the existing documentation requirements.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
LEEDuser expert
Jason Franken
Sustainability Professional
