What if I need to have a material tested?
The Cool Roof Rating Council Standard outlines the methodology that should be used for testing materials.
Note:
LEED v4.1: EBOM Drops
Lots of credits are out, Interiors are in, and we’re seeing our first direct measurements of carbon in LEED.
by P.J. Melton
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released a first draft of LEED v4.1 for Building Operations and Maintenance (LEED O+M). If approved by the members, this new set of rating systems will represent a radical shift in how LEED measures the performance of existing buildings.
Wingnut Real-World Testing of Basement Waterproofing
UGL Drylok Extreme, Koster NB1 Grey, Xypex Concentrate: Do these interior waterproofing systems really work?
by Peter Yost
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What about rainwater runoff from greenfield areas in my LEED project boundary?
You must manage rainwater runoff from the entire site, even if there is greenfield area within the project boundary. Note that the runoff volume of the chosen storm, under developed conditions, is what is required to be managed and documented, rather than the rainfall volume. All required runoff volume must be retained (infiltrated, reused, etc) within the project boundary.
Where can I find example calculations?
Refer to the calculations in the online version of the Reference Guide on USGBC’s website (rather than the published hardcopy of the Reference Guide). USGBC has made updates to the example calculations to better explain what’s expected for this credit.
What are some low-impact development (LID) and green infrastructure (GI) strategies?
Examples include infiltration, vegetated swales, storage and reuse, bioretention, open-grid pavement, and reduction of impervious area. Undisturbed natural areas onsite could also be considered a LID/GI strategy and contribute to rainfall runoff management. This is by no means a comprehensive list of LID/GI strategies, so review your specific project site to determine which practices are already in place and assess new opportunities.
Are there any specific tools or computer programs that are recommended for calculating runoff volume?
Computer monitoring programs based on the Small Storm Hydrology Method, such as WinSLAMM, are acceptable. The U.S. EPA’s Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) and National Stormwater Calculator are general tools that are available for compliance overview; they are not recommended for calculating runoff volumes.
What methodology should I use to calculate runoff volume?
The Small Storm Hydrology Method is recommended. LEED Interpretation 100001950 outlines this calculation protocol in detail. Note that using the Cover Complex Method is not recommended.
What if I have less than 10 years of historical rainfall data?
Use the most conservative daily rainfall value for whatever data set you have, and provide a narrative explaining the data methodology used in the credit calculations.
Where can I find long-term rainfall data?
Use the National Centers for Environmental Information website to obtain long-term rainfall data (over 10 years) for the project location (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cdo-web/results). If rainfall data for the project location is not available through this database, the databases of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Aquastat can be good sources of information for country-level data. Just remember that local-level data is best, and country-level data should be used only if necessary.