implementation costs (soft costs)

Emmanuel Pauwels

Owner

Green Living Projects

LEEDuser Premium Member

107 thumbs up

December 12, 2012

We are considering this credit for a New Construction Project. Before making a decision we need to estimate the engineering cost involved for this credit. I understand that measurements are required once the project is finished. I also understand an analysis is required prior to construction, in order to determine the values that are requried. Does this involve an acoustic simulation or a calculation? What would be the time required for this? I understand that it depends on the size of the project, but I would need some orientation. A full scale acoustic simulation might require a lot more time then a spreadsheet calculation. Could any one give some feedback or orientation? Thanks.

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Ethan Salter

Principal Consultant

Charles M. Salter Associates, Inc.

LEEDuser Basic Member

3 thumbs up

Wed, 12/12/2012 - 23:20

Hello Emmanuel, This is a good question. The characteristics of the design necessary to meet the Pilot Credit requirements (e.g., STC ratings for partitions), can be developed without measurements. Arriving at composite STC (e.g., wall/window ratios) requires calculations of some level. Reverberation times can be calculated, or measured after construction. Background noise (ventilation systems) can be calculated. You are correct in that the level of effort is dependent on the number and type of spaces in the project, some rooms are "typical", while some rooms are unique and require additional efforts. I hope this helps. Thanks, Ethan Salter, PE, LEED AP Charles M. Salter Associates, Inc.

Emmanuel Pauwels

Owner

Green Living Projects

LEEDuser Premium Member

107 thumbs up

Thu, 12/13/2012 - 12:08

Hi Ethan, Thanks for the reply. You mention that the credit can be achieved without measurements. the credit requirement however says "Measurements for room sound levels shall be measured using a sound level meter ... " Should I understand that measuring is one option to comply, but there exists another option, such as the calculations you mention? Would it be correct that the engineering effort required to do the calculations would be rather limited ... ?

Kirk Johnson

Corgan Associates

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Thu, 01/31/2013 - 15:37

Our understanding is similar to Ethans above, that a combination of actual sound level measurements and acoustic calculations can be used. This seems more consistent with the credit intent. However, this will need to be clarified with USGBC. For our submission, we completed and uploaded a completed version of the acoustic template from LEED Schools for each regularly occupied space and a acoustic commissioning report for the primary assembly space.

Helen Kessler

President

HJKessler Associates

LEEDuser Basic Member

41 thumbs up

Thu, 02/28/2013 - 22:01

A team that I'm working with would like to know whether or not measurements are required. It is still not clear from this discussion. Also, is there a template to use for documentation? If so, it would be great if it could be made available on LEEDUser. For instance, may one use the LEED for Schools Enhanced Acoustical Performance, or possibly the Prerequisite template for this credit? Thank you!