Air Barrier Testing- Commercial

Justin, LEED NC v4 tackles envelope commissioning in two places: the Fundamental Commissioning and Verification prerequisite and the Enhanced Commissioning credit. For the prerequisite, LEED NC v4 does require that a designated Commissioning Authority (CxA) verifies that details pertaining to the design of the building envelope have been addressed in the Owner's Project Requirements (OPR) and the Basis of Design (BOD). Where the OPR is concerned, the CxA and project team should work with the Owner to ensure key envelope design targets are documented. These can include specification that the design meet or exceed codes and standards and that performance goals such as prevention of moisture intrusion, minimizing solar heat gain, and maximizing light transmittance are considered by the design team. In turn, the design team should then develop the BOD, outlining exactly how the proposed envelope design accomplishes the OPR. The CxA is required to verify that both the OPR and BOD include elements of building envelope design. Full envelope commissioning and the associated battery of air, moisture, and vapor barrier testing, is only required if a LEED NC v4 project pursues the Enhanced Commissioning, Option 2 credit. Two LEED points are available through this option. Achieving the points will require the completion of the commissioning process for the building envelope, in accordance with ASHRAE Guideline 0-2005 and the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) Guideline 3-2012. In summary, air barrier testing is NOT required to meet the LEED NC v4 Fundamental Commissioning and Verification prerequisite, but IS required to achieve the Enhance Commissioning, Option 2 credit.