Hi all
we have a US project with modular rooms being made overseas. the manufacturer asked if they can use the foreign equivalent approach for the WCs instead of using Water Sense labeled ones, since they are not in the US. has anyone asked this question and if so what was the response?
emily reese moody
Sustainability Director, Certifications & ComplianceJacobs
LEEDuser Expert
452 thumbs up
October 31, 2018 - 7:58 pm
Hi Gail,
I would definitely email GBCI and ask for guidance. We've seen them offer equivalents for standards outside the US for projects located outside the US, but not for specific fixtures/equipment (or in your case, rooms) that were made outside the US. This is an interesting case, so please let us know what they say if you do.
http://www.gbci.org/contact
David Eldridge
Energy Efficiency NinjaGrumman/Butkus Associates
67 thumbs up
November 1, 2018 - 3:07 pm
I don't know the official answer, but if GBCI has allowed the outside standards to be used as equivalent overseas, then they should be allowed since the LEED brand is international - a LEED project from one country is meant to be equivalent to one that is domestic.
Are the flow rates the same or less, or if not how close are they?
emily reese moody
Sustainability Director, Certifications & ComplianceJacobs
LEEDuser Expert
452 thumbs up
November 1, 2018 - 4:29 pm
Well, we real-world people see the logic of GBCI allowing equivalencies everywhere, but I know they don't allow, for example, WaterSense equivalents in the US projects. Same has been seen for EnergySTAR appliances for US projects. If the required standards are available in your project area, they expect them to be used.
Gail Napell
Gensler5 thumbs up
November 1, 2018 - 6:24 pm
thanks all - i did reach out to our LEED coach and will share the response.
The proposed overseas fixture has the same flow rate as Water Sense labeled one.
Gail Napell
Gensler5 thumbs up
November 2, 2018 - 2:15 pm
Colleagues
got a response - this will be allowed with appropriate documentation; see formal response below:
Hi Gail,
Thank you for contacting us regarding WEp Indoor Water Use Reduction for a LEED v4 BD+C: Hospitality project that includes modular hotel rooms that will be fabricated in China.
Yes, the project may use a local equivalent to WaterSense for applicable fixtures. Acceptable WaterSense substitutes are listed at https://www.usgbc.org/resources/international-water-labeling-programs. Additionally, the fixtures must meet WaterSense flush and flow rates (listed in Table 6 within the prerequisite Step by Step Guidance in the reference guide) as noted under Further Explanation, International Tips.
The project team should provide a detailed narrative with the submission explaining the special circumstances.
If you have any further questions or concerns regarding this case, please feel free to respond directly to this email. New inquiries can be directed to leedcoach@usgbc.org, and the LEED Coach team would be happy to assist.
Best Regards,
Megan Snyder
Green Building Specialist, LEED AP ID+C
LEED Coach
U.S. Green Building Council
2101 L Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20037
LEED Coaches are members of the LEED Support Team – a team of highly experienced former project team members and LEED Reviewers – on point for being direct technical points of contact with customers.
Our team of LEED Coaches are happy to work directly with you whenever you need a direct technical contact point in the organization for any LEED or certification question.
The information above is not equivalent to a formal LEED Certification Review. Applications for LEED Certification will be thoroughly reviewed based on USGBC Member balloted and approved LEED Rating Systems.