Furniture always in scope of work?

Raphael,

I asked the USGBC this question, and this is the response I received:

"LEED v4 includes a focus on materials that goes beyond how much is used to get a better understanding of what is in the materials specified for buildings and the effect those components have on human health and the environment.

One of the changes from LEED v2009 to LEED v4 is the addition of furniture emissions. Ideally, all interior building materials—from furniture and furnishings to thermal and acoustic insulation and the interior finishes of all floors, walls, and ceilings—would be compliant.

This credit, however, uses a holistic systems approach that rewards teams for partial compliance, recognizing compliance of product assemblies even if some of their elements do not meet the applicable standard.

While most of the BD+C adaptations would most likely include furniture as a part of its scope, projects pursuing LEED for Core and Shell adaptation of BD+C may be eligible as a project without furniture.

Similarly, this option may be chosen by projects with unfinished spaces or spaces where tenant/future owner is required to do the furniture fit-out. (See LEED Interpretation ID#10102: http://www.usgbc.org/leed-interpretations?keys=10102). Both of this credit’s options offer some flexibility in credit compliance requirements when furniture is included as a part of the project scope:

Option 1: Product Category Calculations allows projects to earn up to 2 points without attempting the furniture category of materials when furniture is a part of the project scope of work.

Option 2: Budget Calculation Method may be used if some products in a category do not meet the criteria."

I just noticed this in the July 2, 2018 Addenda:

Page: 663

Location: Step by Step Guidance > Option 1. Product Category Calculations > Step 1. Identify All Applicable Products

Category and Prerequisite/Credit Name: EQ Credit Low-Emitting Materials

Issue: Delete fourth bullet that reads: "Furniture is considered part of the scope if it is installed at the time of occupancy, regardless of who specified or provided it."

https://www.usgbc.org/sites/default/files/LEED%20BD+C%20v4%20Reference%2...

Anyone have any insight on what this means now?!

We are wondering the same.... What does the reference guide deletion imply? WHAT defines furniture as part of the scope of work?

Any clarity on the deletion of the bullet as per Megan L.'s comment July 24, 2018?