Facility alterations and additions have specific definitions in the LEED-EBOM program. Alterations must involve more than one trade specialty AND make substantial changes to at least one entire room. Teams often mistakenly think the credit can be earned by having more than one trade on a job, but this alone does not meet the credit requirements. Double-check that your facility construction activities are eligible for this credit by consulting the requirements on page xxiii of the 2009 EBOM Reference Guide. The requirements are summarized below:

Changes must affect usable space in the building.

Alterations must:

Not affect more than 50% of total building floor area.Not require more than 50% of occupants to relocate.Include construction activity by more than one trade specialty.Make substantial changes to at least one entire room in the building.Require isolation of the work site from regular building occupants for the duration of construction.

Additions must:

Increase the total building floor area by at least 5%.Not increase the total building floor area by more than 50%.