The intent of this point is to increase demand for building products that incorporate recycled contend materials therefore reducing impacts resulting from extraction and processing of new virgin materials.The handbook indicates that mechanical and electrical systems components are not applicable to this credit. As such, we will exclude all division 15 & 16 elements from our calculation. Should elevators, appliances, hot tubs, or other semi-mechanical/electrical components also be excluded from this calculation? Does the exclusion of the mechanical and electrical components also apply to local and regional manufactured points MR5.1 & 5.2?
Mechanical (mainly HVAC ductwork and equipment) and electrical system components (smaller infrastructure-type items such as wires, cables, junction boxes) are to be excluded from the LEED calculations. Materials in CSI Masterformat Divisions 2 through 10 must be included. If a project team chooses to include additional items as part of the base material cost, such as elevators, appliances, hot tubs, or other semi-mechanical/electrical components, it should do so for all relevant material credits, which include MR Credits 3, 4, 5 and 6 (note that MR Credit 7 utilizes a different cost denominator, referencing only the wood-based products of the building). It is necessary to be consistent with what material costs are included in the LEED calculations. Furniture may also be included in these credit calculations if it is in the project\'s scope of work (see Administrative Inquiry ruling dated 1/21/2003 for more information) Applicable Internationally.