If I have SFI products that make up 100% of my wood products, 25+% of my total materials, and have I completed the survey, have I met the pilot credit? As I understand it, SFI is recognized as 'legal' and 'responsible'. The requirements for the pilot credit state:
Pilot Alternative Compliance Path – Legal Wood
- Wood products from Certified Sources as defined by ASTM D7612-10 are valued at 100% of their cost for purposes of credit achievement calculation if the following two conditions are also met:
and
- 100% of all wood is verified to be from Legal (non-controversial) Sources as defined by ASTM D7612-10. These components include at a minimum, structural framing and general dimensional framing, flooring, sub-flooring, wood doors and finishes.
- 70% (based on cost) of all wood used on the project is from Responsible Sources as defined by ASTM D7612-10. These components include at a minimum, structural framing and general dimensional framing, flooring, sub-flooring, wood doors and finishes.
There is no mention of CoC in the pilot credit requirements.
The project team used FSC products but did not stipulate CoC documentation in the contractor agreements. The products also happen to be SFI certified and in my interpretation of the pilot credit requirements, this should satisfy the credit.
I would like confirmation that I am interpreting the lanuage correctly.
Thank you.
Allison Smith
Sustainable Design LeaderHKS, Inc.
42 thumbs up
October 4, 2017 - 1:15 pm
Don't forget to complete the calculator! (https://www.usgbc.org/resources/legal-wood-pilot-acp-calculator) The calculator should help answer your other questions.
Sophie Kerr
Sustainability ConsultantStantec
12 thumbs up
October 4, 2017 - 4:10 pm
Thank you, Allison. I am working on the calculator and have a few questions:
The calculator does not show credit achievement unless a product is marked 'certified'. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of this pilot credit? We were pursuing this pilot credit in lieu of using certified products (CoC was not requested during the procurement process even though the products were FSC). When I mark these products 'FSC - controlled wood' and the SFI products as 'SFI - fiber sourcing', we achieve 100% legal and 93% responsible. According to the pilot credit requirements above, we should meet the criteria. What information am I missing?
Jason Grant
PrincipalJason Grant Consulting
LEEDuser Expert
164 thumbs up
October 5, 2017 - 11:31 am
I'm not sure who makes the call here, but it stands to reason that if SFI-certified products don't require CoC in order to meet the ASTM definition of "certified" products, then FSC-certified products shouldn't either. It's an Alternative Compliance Path to the LEEDv4 credit requirements, which include by extension the reference guide where the CoC requirement for FSC-certified wood is spelled out. If the ACP waives the CoC requirement for SFI, then it should do it for FSC as well - in which case you will have met the ACP requirements whether you identify the products as SFI or FSC.
There needs to be a level playing field. Hope whoever is refereeing here is listening and agrees.
Sophie Kerr
Sustainability ConsultantStantec
12 thumbs up
October 5, 2017 - 11:55 am
The pilot credit also requires completing a survey to better inform improvement of the wood related credit. The survey questions the difficulties in acquiring CoC documentation and therefore I believe the pilot credit is intended to recognize products which are FSC certified but the team did not plan early enough in the project to ensure CoC was retained. As well, SFI and other certification programs are recognized in this pilot credit, allowing a broader selection of products which is well appreciated.
I have sent this question to the CaGBC who may in turn send it to the USGBC. If I receive a response before someone can shed some light on this forum, I will share it here.
Sophie Kerr
Sustainability ConsultantStantec
12 thumbs up
October 20, 2017 - 12:03 pm
Hello, I still don't have an answer regarding this.
I have completed the Legal Wood Pilot ACP Calculator but it does not result in any points unless I select CoC. What the point in the ACP if I have CoCs, I am using this ACP because I do not have CoC for FSC and SFI products.
Keith Robertson
PresidentSolterre Inc.
53 thumbs up
January 24, 2018 - 2:23 pm
It looks as though there was an update to the calculator in September/October 2017. I think that this addresses the problem you were having.
Joyce Kelly
Architect - Cx Provider - Green Building SpecialistGLHN Architects & Engineers
26 thumbs up
March 25, 2019 - 8:06 pm
Most recent Update I found is April 2017, but apparently it contains a formula correction.
I'm puzzled by Calculator's line item: "Value of non-wood eligible products" as distinct from "Total value of non-wood permanently installed." A search of the v4 Reference Manual didn't help this time.