This prerequisite is highly achievable, and worth doing, because it will give you valuable information on the performance and efficiency of your building systems and operations.
A big part of this prerequisite is developing documentation for your operational procedures. For those familiar with LEED 2009, the systems narrative, building operating plan, sequence of operations, and preventive maintenance plan have been re-branded as the Current Facilities Requirements (CFR) and the Operations and Maintenance Plan (OMP). An ASHRAE Level I audit is still required, so there shouldn’t be any surprises as long as you keep an eye on a few of the smaller details.
The ASHRAE Level I Walkthrough
The ASHRAE Level I walkthrough involves examining utility records and mechanical systems to identify opportunities to reduce building energy consumption and operating costs. The ASHRAE Level I walkthrough is typically performed by a qualified third-party consultant, but you can also do it with in-house staff if they have the right background. The process requires you to gather energy consumption data for the entire building to derive performance indicators and identify low-cost and no-cost opportunities and capital improvement measures to improve overall performance.
Reuse Recent Audit Activities
If an ASHRAE Level I audit has been conducted in the last five years, you don’t need to repeat the process during your performance period. However, the audit report and accompanying prerequisite documentation, including the CFR and OMP, must be updated to reflect any significant changes in operating procedures or building systems.
What’s New in LEED v4.1
- Very minor edits to the prerequisite language have been made to improve the applicability for O+M Interiors projects. The Interiors adaptation is new under LEED v4.1 and can be applied to existing interior spaces within a portion of an existing building.
Should I upgrade?
The prerequisite is unchanged from v4 except for the introduction of a compliance path for O+M Interiors projects.