Yes, per LEED interpretation #5220 made on 07/30/2009, a weighted average is allowable similar to SSc7.2 for roof surfaces. The supporting weighted average calculator in LEEDuser's Documentation Toolkit section can be used to establish a weighted average for all hardscape materials used on your project.
Look for laboratories that calculate SRI, or that test reflectivity and emissivity—once you have those values the LEED Online form will complete the calculation. Searching for labs using keywords like surfaces or optics may also be helpful. Make sure the lab you are using follows the reflectivity and emissivity testing ASTM criteria mentioned in LEED. Testing could cost $500 to $1,000 per sample.
LEED requires specific SRI values based on product or material—no exceptions. Your first step is to try reaching out to your product manufacturers to obtain this information, or searching for any SRI values that might be applicable, if your material is generic. If this cannot be found, your next option is to send your material to a lab to be tested. Getting this data can be hard with existing materials other than concrete. Finding a similar product and comparing it to yours with images will not be accepted.
You’re not required to purchase the guidelines, but it is worth considering if you plan on using in-house staff to conduct the audit. Training can consist of reading through the APPA guidelines, learning the benefits of honest audit results (such as pinpointing opportunities for improvement), and reviewing the forms. It’s up to your team to decide if the information available publicly is adequate for your team to conduct an audit.
No, only audit spaces that are cleaned on a regular basis. Remember that if occupancy is below 50% during the performance period an audit cannot be conducted during that time.
No, perform the audit based on 10% of the total number of each space type within the entire building, regardless of which tenant occupies which space.
The best way to quality control your audit is to have a third person trained in APPA protocol get involved. Have this person review the audit procedure and spot check a percentage of the audited spaces to ensure that the findings are appropriate and impartial.
While the APPA guidelines were developed for educational facilities they still can be applied to a variety of building types. All projects pursuing this LEED credit, regardless of building type, must use the APPA guidelines.
A cleaning audit based on APPA guidelines should be conducted for your building interior at least once every two years, according to USGBC’s Recertification Guidance (October 2013).
There’s no restriction to the number of audits you can perform. A preliminary audit is a great way to collect information and notify custodial and facilities staff of the building’s cleanliness before certification application. Just be sure to submit an audit that falls within the performance period for your LEED application.