Three questions
1) The LEED reference guide states that both FSC pure and FSC mixed credit can both be claimed as FSC 100 %. It does not specify the type of system that ought to be used. The FSC website lists three systems
a) Transfer system, where you can claim FSC 100% or FSC mix %
b) Percentage system, where you can claim FSC mix %
c) Credit system, where you can claim FSC mix credit
My supplier is using the transfer system and claiming his product as FSC mix credit ( without a percentage), is this possible? In other words can I claim his product as FSC 100 percent? Because under the transfer system according to the FSC website, there is no such thing... it's either FSC 100% or FSC mix credit .
2) My second question is because the LEED reference guide does not specify the type of system one ought to used, I think it is only right to claim my product as FSC 100% provided that's it's FSC mixed credit regardless of which system is being used, Do you agree?
3) My third and final question: to achieve a point for mr-7, does your wood have to contained within the building (foot print), or does it have apply to throughout the site (Leed boundary). For example if I have new wooden benches outside of my building, do I have to include this in my calculation.?
Ronnie Oleary
Sales Manager LEED AP BD&CDIXIE PLYWOOD & LUMBER, INC
1 thumbs up
May 7, 2014 - 10:37 am
I can help with the first two questions.
1. FSC mix credit counts 100%. How it is worded above is a little confusing, but if he invoices you as FSC mix credit, you can contribute 100% of the value no matter which system your supplier uses.
2. Don't get confused by the type of system your supplier is using. (transfer, percentage system, and credit system). There are reasons a manufacturer, distributor, retailer etc.. would use one of those, but you are only responsible for what they invoice you for.
If they invoice you as a mixed credit, you can claim the total amount. If it is mix %, you can claim the percentage, whether its 100% or 70% for example. To clarify, FSC mix credit and FSC 100% count exactly the same, its just the terminology FSC is strict on.
3. I only work on interior products, so I am not sure about the benches. Sorry, I hope the rest helped!
Jason Grant
PrincipalJason Grant Consulting
LEEDuser Expert
164 thumbs up
May 7, 2014 - 11:13 am
Ronnie is correct. You shouldn't focus on which control system (transfer, percentage, credit) your suppliers are using - this is internal FSC CoC stuff that should not concern LEED project teams.
Just so you know, in general the credit and percentage systems are used by manufacturers or fabricators and the transfer system is commonly used by distributors or retailers who don't modify FSC products. Thus, a product that is manufactured under the credit system and thus carries an "FSC mix credit" claim can be bought and resold several times by market intermediaries using the transfer system before it reaches the end user, and it will always be invoiced as "FSC mix credit" at each step in the value chain.
As to your last question, I believe that, yes, the benches would count.
Valerie Molinski
Environmental Stewardship ManagerTarkett North America
102 thumbs up
May 7, 2014 - 11:15 am
For #3... the benches would count. The credit applies to 'any wood that remains on site.'
Jon Clifford
LEED-AP BD+CGREENSQUARE
LEEDuser Expert
327 thumbs up
May 7, 2014 - 12:38 pm
Response to Question #3:
If the benches were specified in Division 12, you may have the option to exclude them.
Credit calculations for MRc3 thru MRc7 must include the costs and contributions of all materials permanently installed within the LEED Boundary and specified in CSI MasterFormat-2004 Divisions 03-10, 31.6, 32.1, 32.3, & 32.9. Therefore, your MRc7 documentation should include all wood specified in these Sections. Including Division 12 Furniture is optional if included consistently for all credits.
If your site benches were custom-built for your Project, the wood was probably specified under Division 06 Woodwork, so you would include it in MR calcs.
However, if the benches were off-the-shelf units specified as "Site Furnishings" in Division 12, you might exclude them if you are excluding other Division 12 Furnishings.