I was wondering if anyone has a resource with LEED v4 and/or v4.1 specification language? The architect I am working with on a commercial interiors project does not have updated LEED spec language and I thought I would reach out to learn of any resources I could me missing. I am having a hard time finding anything and want to save the time creating all of this language when its possiblty out there already. My role isn't to write spec on this project, but I am supposed to review it and comment for LEED compliance, etc. - however, it would certainly help if we had a base at least to begin with! My only other option would be to use LEED v2009 and update them, although that could take long time.
Thank you!
Courtney
emily reese moody
Sustainability Director, Certifications & ComplianceJacobs
LEEDuser Expert
475 thumbs up
May 26, 2020 - 1:12 am
See if this is a helpful starting place:
https://www.greenengineer.com/resources
Courtney Royal
Sr. Sustainability ConsultantTaitem Engineering
50 thumbs up
May 27, 2020 - 8:12 am
yes, thank you so much!
Michelle Bracewell-Musson
Owner, LEED APGreen Expectations Sustainability Solutions
119 thumbs up
October 25, 2020 - 11:45 am
Hi Courtney,
It seems we have the same challenge for BDC v4. Are there any other respurces you found?
Michelle
Courtney Royal
Sr. Sustainability ConsultantTaitem Engineering
50 thumbs up
October 26, 2020 - 5:34 am
Actually no, Michelle. BUT, I started using the resources in the link above and find that helpful. Can't say I found anything else concrete, but it is definetly a good start and you can take what you need from there. Good luck!
Michelle Bracewell-Musson
Owner, LEED APGreen Expectations Sustainability Solutions
119 thumbs up
October 26, 2020 - 9:17 am
Hi Courtney,
Post my question, I came across this quote:
"As LEED consultants, our standard practice is to review draft specifications written by the Spec Writer or the architect and make edits as needed. The AIA MasterSpec has excellent language for sustainability specifications and LEED v4. For the first draft of the spec book, it is strongly encouraged that others incorporate the LEED v4 requirements from the AIA MasterSpec in all spec sections. As LEED APs, we can then review the spec book and recommend language to remove or add as necessary based on the LEED points being attempted."
A person from my team shared this as well:
FYI Here's the link to the AIA MasterSpec:
https://avitru.com/specifications/masterspec/
"As a side note, it is good practice for LEED consultants to avoid writing specs, as they are part of the official design documents. Since we do not generally carry design liability insurance, it is a risk we should not assume. Since there are design professionals, including Brian, on this project whose responsibility is to write and produce these design documents, they should be the ones taking that risk. We can provide comments and recommend edits, but we should avoid taking responsibility for writing the specs or spec sections.
Here's a good (although old) article about green specs with a comment on how HOK Architects starts with a comprehensive list of LEED requirements, then thins it out based on the project: https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/getting-design-construction-writing-specifications-green-projects "
Paula Melton
Editorial DirectorBuildingGreen, Inc.
LEEDuser Moderator
183 thumbs up
October 26, 2020 - 9:30 am
Michelle, that is indeed an old article, but I'm glad it's still helpful! I made it free for viewing.
Might this blog post help as well?
https://www.buildinggreen.com/blog/sustainable-spec-language-you-should-...
emily reese moody
Sustainability Director, Certifications & ComplianceJacobs
LEEDuser Expert
475 thumbs up
October 26, 2020 - 2:21 pm
In my experience, I've found the exising Masterspec suggestions to be fraught with issues, mostly that it is not thorough. It's probably better than nothing, but I provide teams with a separate guide and advise them to leave out any automated language entirely.
Agree with Michelle's post in avoiding the spec writing, itself. I put that onus on the designers entirely.
Ira Caplan
September 11, 2024 - 9:33 pm
Thank you for these lucid clarifications on Spec Writing.