David, I checked with a contact at USGBC about this, who got the following info from GBCI:
“CIR turnaround time is 3-4 weeks (from the time the customer submits to the time we return it to the customer). I would say this is being achieved on at least 95% of the CIRs. The ones that are not within those timelines are those that require further discussion.”
Does this sound about right in terms of your experience?
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Timothy Casper
Voith & Mactavish Architects4 thumbs up
June 2, 2013 - 12:06 pm
CIR during final review application?
After our project's preliminary review we were offered the option of submitting a CIR for a particular credit. Can (should) this be submitted with all of our responses to the preliminary review comments and get reviewed concurrently during the final review, or does this need to be submitted first / separately? Our issue is that we don't have time to wait 3 to 4 weeks for a CIR before submitting our final review documents, but we might consider it if it will not delay the typical review timeline.
Thanks so much for your help!
Susan Walter
HDRLEEDuser Expert
1296 thumbs up
June 3, 2013 - 3:26 pm
Two things to consider. First is that there is a word limit to the CIR and your full comment and response documentation may be too long. Second, the CIR is your chance to fully state your case, approach and rational for the CIR. Why waste that limited space explaining how the reviewer doesn't get your approach? Make your strongest case in the CIR and ask for an extension on the final review explaining that your team is applying for the CIR.
Timothy Casper
Voith & Mactavish Architects4 thumbs up
June 3, 2013 - 3:34 pm
Thanks Susan, but our deadline is external to the LEED process. We need to achieve our certification by a given date and will not meet that deadline if a CIR will add weeks to the normal final review stage.
Is there any problem with submitting the CIR as part of our final review submission? Can we simultaneously propose an alternate way of approaching the credit in case the CIR is denied?
We cannot afford spinning our wheels for 3-4 weeks while the CIR is reviewed and nothing else is happening.
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11478 thumbs up
June 3, 2013 - 3:37 pm
Timothy, how essential is this credit to your certification? Ideally I would not do the CIR under the timeline but just submit your materials as well as possible. If the CIR is essential then I would contact GBCI immeditely and explain the situation, and seek their advice. I think that they could accommodate you if you let them know that you were going to have to submit the application and CIR concurrently, but I'd want to have a back and forth with them to be sure.
Susan Walter
HDRLEEDuser Expert
1296 thumbs up
June 3, 2013 - 3:38 pm
Sounds like a tricky timeline and if I were you, I would call the GBCI and ask them. Also ask if you can discuss this timeline with your reviewers. I don't think that submitting your CIR approach as part of the credit documentation will win you any favors from the reviewers.
Timothy Casper
Voith & Mactavish Architects4 thumbs up
June 3, 2013 - 3:41 pm
Who can I call? Should I email my review team, submit a feedback request, ...? What is the most efficient way to get in touch with the appropriate people?
Thanks Tristan and Susan!
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11478 thumbs up
June 3, 2013 - 4:00 pm
Use the "contact us" page on the GBCI website, and reference your project number and specific issues.