define what is non-structural control and structural control 6.2

carol palansky

designer/arborist

nature's way land care

LEEDuser Basic Member

5 thumbs up

December 30, 2010

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Amy Rider

Sustainability Manager

KEMA Services

LEEDuser Basic Member

110 thumbs up

Tue, 01/11/2011 - 22:44

Hi Carol, Rain gardens and similar plant based stormwater treatment and infiltration zones are generally considered non-structural. For what it is worth, the two categories aren't weighed differently on the LEED Form, so when in doubt as to which category is appropriate, guessing should not change the outcome.

carol palansky

designer/arborist

nature's way land care

LEEDuser Basic Member

5 thumbs up

Wed, 01/12/2011 - 02:30

Thank you, Amy, for your reply. I get mixed answers on this as our local soil and water engineer thought it to be structural items since a small hardscape is within the rain garden area. Good to know not weighed on exact catagory on this particular section.

Michael DeVuono

Regional Stormwater Leader

Arcadis North America

LEEDuser Expert

144 thumbs up

Sat, 03/03/2012 - 14:40

Terminology varies on this, I feel it correlates directly with how the State BMP Manuals define.... I refer to structural as anything that is "built" i.e, not a naturally-occurring BMP. (raingarden, infiltration trenches, constructed wetlans, etc). Non-structural i refer to naturally-occurting BMPs or "smart construction" techniques, i.e disconnecting impervious areas, discharging roof leaders to a veggie swale, or minimized grading during construction.