LEEDuser’s viewpoint
Explore this LEED credit
Post your questions on this credit in the forum, and click on the credit language tab to review to the LEED requirements.
Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
Pilot Credit Closed
This pilot credit is closed to new registrations
These special pilot credits are awarded based on project teams attempting to meet the requirements to the best of their ability and providing feedback on the requirements. The credits may change as feedback is received.
To maintain the well-being of occupants by addressing indoor air quality issues that may influence spread of the coronavirus.
Requirements
For LEED O+M v4.1 initial or LEED v4.1 or v4 recertification projects, projects may be awarded additional LEED points under Innovation for achieving these credits.For LEED v4 O+M initial certification projects, this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Innovation.
During the pandemic, continue to maintain the HVAC systems using ASHRAE Standard 180 - Standard Practice for Inspection and Maintenance of Commercial Building HVAC Systems or Table 8.2 of ASHRAE 62.1-2016 or equivalent. Check specifically:
- Regularly maintain heating and cooling coils and condensate drain pans. Clean coils and drain pans using an appropriate surface cleaner or foaming agent (avoid using pressure washing that may re-aerosolize particles on the coil surface) as necessary to ensure proper operation.
- Inspect HVAC system air filters and filter frames for proper pressure drop, fit, and potential for air bypass. Confirm pressure drop and check scheduled replacement date of filters and air-cleaning devices. Clean or replace HVAC air filters as necessary to ensure proper operation.
- Include information on ventilation system operation and preventative maintenance in the current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan required for compliance with EA prerequisite Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices.
- Verify dampers, including seals and frames, are intact, clean, functional and, responding to control signals appropriately. Verify setting of any manual dampers.
- Verify Air Handling systems are providing adequate airflow with no blockages in the duct system (for example – closed fire/smoke dampers) and supply air from the HVAC system is provided to each occupied space.
- Verify exhaust fans are functioning properly and venting to the outdoors.
The recommendations included in the LEED Safety First Pilot Credits do not set a standard, nor should they be deemed either inclusive of all proper methods or exclusive of other methods for workplace reentry. The ultimate judgment regarding the utility of any specific approach and when it is safe to re-enter workspaces must be made by you in light of all circumstances and variables.
USGBC encourages projects teams and owners to monitor publicly available information and to always follow federal, state and local health organization guidance and government mandates. Where appropriate, you should seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional or relevant government office in your location for advice on current laws and regulations.
Submittals
General
Register for the pilot credit- Participate in the LEEDuser pilot credit forum
- Complete the feedback survey:
Documentation/Compliance
- Description of verification checks performed for the building systems
Changes
- 3.25.21 - Original Publication
- 2.17.23 - Closed for Registration
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
See all forum discussions about this credit »Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
Pilot Credit Closed
This pilot credit is closed to new registrations
These special pilot credits are awarded based on project teams attempting to meet the requirements to the best of their ability and providing feedback on the requirements. The credits may change as feedback is received.
To maintain the well-being of occupants by addressing indoor air quality issues that may influence spread of the coronavirus.
Requirements
For LEED O+M v4.1 initial or LEED v4.1 or v4 recertification projects, projects may be awarded additional LEED points under Innovation for achieving these credits.For LEED v4 O+M initial certification projects, this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Innovation.
During the pandemic, continue to maintain the HVAC systems using ASHRAE Standard 180 - Standard Practice for Inspection and Maintenance of Commercial Building HVAC Systems or Table 8.2 of ASHRAE 62.1-2016 or equivalent. Check specifically:
- Regularly maintain heating and cooling coils and condensate drain pans. Clean coils and drain pans using an appropriate surface cleaner or foaming agent (avoid using pressure washing that may re-aerosolize particles on the coil surface) as necessary to ensure proper operation.
- Inspect HVAC system air filters and filter frames for proper pressure drop, fit, and potential for air bypass. Confirm pressure drop and check scheduled replacement date of filters and air-cleaning devices. Clean or replace HVAC air filters as necessary to ensure proper operation.
- Include information on ventilation system operation and preventative maintenance in the current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan required for compliance with EA prerequisite Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices.
- Verify dampers, including seals and frames, are intact, clean, functional and, responding to control signals appropriately. Verify setting of any manual dampers.
- Verify Air Handling systems are providing adequate airflow with no blockages in the duct system (for example – closed fire/smoke dampers) and supply air from the HVAC system is provided to each occupied space.
- Verify exhaust fans are functioning properly and venting to the outdoors.
The recommendations included in the LEED Safety First Pilot Credits do not set a standard, nor should they be deemed either inclusive of all proper methods or exclusive of other methods for workplace reentry. The ultimate judgment regarding the utility of any specific approach and when it is safe to re-enter workspaces must be made by you in light of all circumstances and variables.
USGBC encourages projects teams and owners to monitor publicly available information and to always follow federal, state and local health organization guidance and government mandates. Where appropriate, you should seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional or relevant government office in your location for advice on current laws and regulations.
Submittals
General
Register for the pilot credit- Participate in the LEEDuser pilot credit forum
- Complete the feedback survey:
Documentation/Compliance
- Description of verification checks performed for the building systems
Changes
- 3.25.21 - Original Publication
- 2.17.23 - Closed for Registration
