Fees for shared building utilities such as steam or hot water should be pro-rated among tenants based on area or occupancy, and based on actual building consumption. In other words, gross leases, where tenants pay a fixed lump sum for all rent and other expenses, will not meet the intent of this credit.

The only required submetering is for electricity. Tenant spaces must be submetered or independently metered by the electric utility.

For EAc5.1, there are no specific requirements. In your M&V plan, you will identify the uses you will submeter or monitor in order to confirm your energy savings. If you are pursuing Option 2 (Energy Conservation Measure Isolation), it may make sense to directly submeter the equipment in question. For the related tenant M&V credit, EAc5.2, tenant spaces must submetered or independently metered by the electric utility.

Option 2 is only appropriate for measures that are simple to analyze and that have few or no interaction with other building systems. For most new buildings and gut rehabs, there will be significant interaction between systems (such as lighting and HVAC) and Option 1 (simulation) will be the best option.

LEEDuser has not seen an official ruling on this, but our expert consensus is no.

One, replacing a physical control with a policy control is a bit of a downgrade. Two, 100% avoidance of hazardous chemicals in cleaning is unlikely. The green cleaning purchasing credit in EBOM, for example, considers 30% good enough to earn the credit. Also, the thresholds, categories, and standards referenced in that credit will only go so far in preventing use of any cleaning supplies that might generate gases or chemicals that should be exhausted.

Yes, carpet tile applies per LEED Interpretation Ruling #10252. Some project teams have preferred to use carpet tile due to ease of maintenance and avoidance of trip hazards. The carpet tile must be specifically designed for entryway systems. Regular carpeting that is not designed for this purpose and does not have regular cleaning is not applicable.

LEED Interpretation #5266 made on 05/30/2007 states that the requirements are applicable only to entrances from the outdoors.

These entrances are those that are used by building occupants on a regular basis. If your project has unique circumstances where certain building entrances are not regularly used or do not serve building occupants, they may be excluded. For example, emergency exits that are not used as regular entrances can often be excluded.

LEED Interpretation #10098, dated 8/1/2011, states that "The intent for the entryway system (grilles, grates, walk-off mats) is to capture dirt and dust. An exception to the 10 foot length and/or indoor location is acceptable provided your alternative solution meets this intent and is thoroughly justified."

If the copiers print less than 40,000 pages/month (20,000 pages double-sided) you do not need to install dedicated exhaust, self-closing doors and deck-to-deck partitions. Additionally, if you use printers that do not emit VOC’s or other harmful contaminants into the indoor environment, you can make a case for exemption.