Friends,
Through AIA work I have been working with Kim Shinn from TLC Engineering. Kim is involved on the ASHRAE 209 development and has been advocating that the AIA, ASHRAE and USGBC align around this standard. Personally I think this is a good idea as I expect that this standard could easily make it's way into regulations and contracts.
Below is an unedited "ask" from Kim about how practices might voice this idea to the USGBC. I am told there is no resistance, we just want the voices to be heard and the connections to be made.
Cheers ... Rand
Architectural pals and “friends” of Standard 209:
As I am sure you are well aware, LEED BD+C v4.1 is now in beta testing (and will be in that mode during 2019), with the idea that project teams that participate in the beta test will be able to influence the final version that goes into use in 2020 and beyond. https://new.usgbc.org/leed-v41#bdc
Even if you don’t want to be brave (some might use a more pejorative adjective) enough to jump your entire project into v4.1, I believe that you will be allowed to selectively use v4.1b credit requirements as “pilot credits” in your v4.0 projects, committing to offer feedback and commentary on the credit’s requirements and application. At the very least, you can submit a comment on a particular v4.1 credit to leedv4.1@usgbc.org.
Of particular interest is the Integrative Process credit (v4.1 draft language is here). When the 209 Committee was drafting the standard, we made it a point to make 209 compatible with the v4.0 IP credit. ASHRAE did its part to be compatible with LEED; wouldn’t it be nice if LEED was to return the favor? Would you please consider submitting a comment on the IP credit that would endorse compliance with Standard 209 for the energy-related requirements of the credit? In fact, compliance with Standard 209 could actually be an Exemplary Performance innovation point, since 209 includes some requirements that go above and beyond the IP credit requirements. Note that a project would still need to use the IP credit language on the water-related items, as 209 does not cover those systems.
You’ll want to use your own words, but here’s sample comment language that you might adapt:
We've reviewed the new proposed LEED V4.1 BD+C requirements posted on the USGBC website and have a recommendation for the Integrative Process (IP) credit. We recommend taking advantage of using the recently published ASHRAE Standard 209-2018 “Energy Simulation Aided Design”. The IP credit requirements for energy would all be met if the project team follows Standard 209. We recommend that USGBC allow Standard 209-2018 to fulfill the energy related requirements of the IP credit, as well as earn Exemplary Performance, as 209 has additional requirements that go above and beyond the proposed IP credit requirements. The Water-Related Systems requirements would still need to be satisfied independent of Standard 209.
You might even include some 209-supportive comments along the lines of
Our firm [“well known for its commitment to LEED and the USGBC”, “the 2018 AIA Firm of the Year”, or some similar laudatory language] has adopted Standard 209 for use in its integrative process, as well as in our building performance simulation consultant agreements. AND/OR Standard 209 is actively integrated into the soon-to-be-released AIA guidance on the use of building performance simulation in design. AND/OR The Great and Powerful Wizard himself, Kim Shinn, told me to say this and, it is well known that The Wizard rarely gives bad advice.