Many times USGBC issues new guidance for particular credits or systems, etc. How are people finding this documentation in a timely fashion? Do you check the website weekly? Are you getting an email notification? USGBC is at least beginning to publish them to the Rating System page at their website, but you have to be checking it regularly to find everything. And, man, is that page growing.
I just found the “Water Use Reduction Additional Guidance Revision 3”. Apparently, there are those who have known about it for a while. Though, I am sure I am not the only one that is new to its existence.
I have a jail project where we are using blow-out fixtures so the inmates can't clog the toilets as easily. We specified 1.6 gpf fixtures and the project is now in construction. While I am trying to roundup my forms from the project team, I find the guidance which tells me we have to use the baseline of 3.5 gpf for our installed value for the fixtures. This will cost us three points.
I am posing the argument that we registered prior to the initial publication of the Guidance and shouldn't have to follow it. But, I really hate being blind-sided and left with such uncertainty about the review. Can anyone help me figure out what I have been missing and how I can stop missing it?
I am also open to any suggestions about how to push back and reclaim our water savings.
Thanks,
Sonrisa
Karen Blust
Green Building ConsultantThe Cadmus Group
124 thumbs up
October 27, 2011 - 7:34 pm
Sonrisa, typically the project’s LEED registration date determines which Addenda, LEED Interpretations and formal guidance documents are applicable to the project. In this case, however, I would recommend following the Water Use Reduction Additional Guidance (updated July 14, 2011) and claim no water savings for the blow-out fixtures. This is the conservative approach and will likely result in a more straightforward review of WEp1. That being said, if you want to provide the GBCI with a narrative stating that your project is not subject to the guidance in the document because it was registered prior to its release date, you’re welcome to do so. The narrative should be submitted along with your WEp1 documentation in LEED Online.
It can be difficult to keep up with the constant changes to the various LEED rating systems. My recommendation would be to occasionally visit the rating system pages on the USGBC website to ensure that you remain in the loop. Here is the page for the New Construction (NC) rating system: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=220
Simon Sue
SL+A INTERNATIONAL ASIA INC.411 thumbs up
November 21, 2011 - 3:49 am
Sonrise,
we also have the same review comment regarding the blow out fixture. our project was registered prior Version 3 of Water Use Reduction Guidance was out. somehow the reviewer want us to change the installed blow out gpf to follow as 3.5gpf as baseline. we will lose 3 point out from this. we also writing a narrative mentioning that our project follow the previous revision prior the new one was out.
Sonrisa Lucero
Owner / Energy Engineer / Sustainability ConsultantSustainnovations, LLC
138 thumbs up
August 28, 2012 - 1:53 pm
Simon,
Any update on your review? How did it come out?