NC-2009 MRc5: Regional Materials 1-2 points

In order to verify that the extraction, harvest, recovery and manufacture site is located within a 500 mile radius of the project site, project teams are required to indicate the actual mileage between the project site and the manufacturer and similarly, the distance between the project site and the extraction site for each raw material in the submittal template. ALTERNATIVELY, a statement on the manufacturer\'s letter head indicating that the point of extraction, harvest, recovery or manufacture is within 500 miles of the LEED project site, will also be accepted as part of the LEED documentation and credit submittals.

This CIR is requesting that the project be permitted to substitute the existing MRc5 credit requirements with those found in the Canadian Green Building Council LEED Rating System. The CAGBC LEED requirement allows for materials to be harvested from a larger area (1500 mile radius) if it reaches the site by lower emission transportation (ship and rail.) While the proposal certainly aims to reduce the environmental impacts resulting from material transportation, it does not address the portion of the credit aimed at supporting the use of indigenous materials. Furthermore, the CAGBC LEED rating system has been developed specifically for the Canadian construction and transportation industries, and it may not be appropriate to use it in place of the USGBC requirements as applied on this Jeddah, Saudi Arabia site. However, the intent of the project to reduce the emissions associated with the transportation of materials is commendable and should be pursued as an innovation point. As such, the credit submission should include a narrative explaining local common practices for transport of materials and how this strategy surpasses those for environmental benefit. Resources on past innovation points that have been pursued for Life Cycle Analysis can be found in the Innovation in Design Credit Catalog, issued on 12/7/07. The USGBC also anticipates that credit requirements for comprehensive carbon emission reduction on a building project will be available by the end of the year. If the construction schedule permits, this could be an option for the project to receive credit for their efforts. Applicable Internationally; Canada; Saudi Arabia.

In order to verify that the extraction, harvest, recovery and manufacture site is located within a 500 mile radius of the project site, project teams are required to indicate the actual mileage between the project site and the manufacturer and similarly, the distance between the project site and the extraction site for each raw material in the submittal template. ALTERNATIVELY, a statement on the manufacturer\'s letter head indicating that the point of extraction, harvest, recovery or manufacture is within 500 miles of the LEED project site, will also be accepted as part of the LEED documentation and credit submittals.

There are typically two types of casework found in projects. The first is casework that is custom built – often from shop drawings – and specified in CSI Division 6. Included are custom millwork cabinets, countertops, custom desks, shelving, etc. These are base building (or real property) elements considered permanently installed. They may be assembled on or off-site.

The second type of casework is manufactured furniture. It is usually ordered from a catalog and found in the project specifications in CSI Division 12. These items are considered furniture and included in ID&C projects and only included in BD&C projects when they are consistently used in calculations. They are not base building items. Included in Division 12 are individual and group seating, open-plan and private-office workstations, desks, tables, storage units, credenzas, bookshelves, filing cabinets, and wall-mounted visual-display products (e.g., marker boards and tack boards). Items such as electronic displays and miscellaneous items, such as easels, mobile carts, and desk accessories are not included in the credits.

Sometimes furniture is semi-permanently attached using mechanical fastening systems due to operational use. These are not permanently installed and therefore are not base building elements. An example in a retail or hospitality setting would be a display that is bolted to the floor or moveable / semi-permanently-attached manufactured shelving. Consider these guidance definitions:

Permanently installed building product – in addition to those items that serve structural purposes, permanently installed building products are items that are affixed to the building without intention to be removed, either because the item is integral to the walls, ceiling, or floor, or removing the item will cause damage to building (i.e. real property vs. personal property). Examples include items found in CSI MasterFormat Division 6- Millwork as well as wall, floor, or ceiling finished such as ceramic tiles, or drywall, window and door frames (unless part of removable partitions, see definition for furniture), baseboards, siding, roofing, masonry, and permanently installed built in casework, such as shelving or countertops. Exceptions may exist for these examples.

Furniture - Items that are non-permanently affixed are considered furniture. This includes items that do not serve structural purposes and may be removed without damage to real property. Examples include desks, chairs, filing systems, retail displays, or removable partitions (including drywall and glass system partitions including doors) that can be readily removed and reused without damage to other partitions, ceilings, floors, or structure. Typically these items fall under CSI MasterFormat 2010 Division 12-Furniture, however some items may be specified in other divisions and there are exceptions to these examples.

Real Property – consisting of immovable portions of building. Distinguished from personal property. Items installed by tenants or for temporary use are considered personal property and not real property.