I am looking at an OPR for a project pursuing this credit, and it is quite high level. I have only worked on a handful of LEED projects (only one CI project) and have seen more detailed requirements listed like thermostat set points, control requirements, etc. Does LEED ever push back on the level of details provided in the OPR and BOD? It seems like at the end of the day, its up to the owner to define what they want and if they don't want to put specific requirements other than "LEED gold" or "sustainable design", then thats their choice. Also - one question on the BOD - does it need to be updated with any changes in the final design before the Cx report goes to GBCI for review?
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Jareb Ketay
PrincipalGHT Limited
4 thumbs up
July 19, 2016 - 8:42 am
Hello Erin,
First thing's first.. and this probably sounds like a silly question given which part of the forum we're in.. but is this a LEED v4 project? I just want to confirm because the level of detail expected of a v4 project is going to be arguably greater than that of a v3 OPR/BOD.
I think you're general assumption about the gist of an OPR is correct, though. I've worked on more than a few LEED projects (NC and CI), and the level of detail I've seen runs the gamut. There needs to be a requisite level of detail.. i.e., LEED/sustainable design goals should be addressed, how space intends to be used, thermal comfort of occupants, energy savings goals, water savings goals, etc., and the MEP team should respond in kind.
And in general, yes, both the OPR and the BOD would incorporate the final design. If you think about the intent of the credit, it's to insure that the building systems are functioning as designed (by the project team) and intended (by the manufacturer). So, GBCI is going to assume the report that gets filed not only takes into account the final design. In my experience GBCI expects these two to be "living documents", and changes to both as the design is finalized is the norm.
Let me know about the above and we'll go from there!
Jake
GHT Green Team
Erin Rowe
July 19, 2016 - 8:19 pm
Thanks Jake - I appreciate your insights! This is a version 4 CI project. I didn't think the credit language for EA prereq 1 regarding the OPR/BOD was significantly different than the 2009 version, but we are also going for enhanced Cx too. Do you think GBCI will be providing more scrutiny because its the new version of LEED? I know some of the other credits have gotten significantly more stringent, so I am trying to be more picky and cautious in my document review.=)
Jareb Ketay
PrincipalGHT Limited
4 thumbs up
July 21, 2016 - 10:10 am
Hey Erin,
Okay just making sure!
I think when it comes strictly to the development of the OPR/BOD, your read is accurate. I don't think those documents need to be substantially different from something that would be developed for a v3 project. This probably goes without saying but bear in mind that you don't actually need to upload the OPR/BOD... you'll just need to confirm that they were completed by the Owner/MEP and reviewed by the CxA.
That said, my commissioning team did notice a shift in the commissioning report language.. GBCI is now expressly requiring that verbiage on the BOD be included, in addition to verbiage on the OPR. The complete documents won't need to be part of that report, but they do need to be touched on, and being a new requirement they'll probably have an eye out for it. Again, that's not to say that how the documents are developed will be any different, but depending on the MEPs you're used to working with, they may want to be more detailed to make inclusion in the commissioning report a bit easier. The v4 form for this credit lists what they expect to see in both the OPR and the BOD, so maybe that would be a good place to start as far as content.
To your last point, I actually think (and this is my personal opinion) that they will be -less- stringent given the fact that it's a new rating system. When v3 first got into full-swing, they did things by the book for a while. If your team provides what GBCI requests, in a reasonable capacity, I think you'll be okay!
Jake