What building components are typically purchased with FSC content to earn this credit?
Big-ticket items commonly used for this credit include flooring and subflooring, framing, doors and door cores, wood finishes, and casework.
We are pursuing IEQc4.5 from LEED-CI as an ID credit. Are we then required to include the cost of furniture in MRc3–7?
No, per LEED Interpretation #3901.
The project building has multiple tenants, and several of the tenants manage their own recycling or waste diversion. Does the SWM Policy need to address the diversion of waste from those spaces?
No, for MRp2, the SWM Policy needs only to address the disposal of waste streams that are controlled by building management.
Do the goals listed in the Solid Waste Management Policy need to match exactly the performance thresholds required for achieving MRc7, MRc8, and MRc9?
No, these don’t need to match exactly. That said, for recycling of mercury-containing lamps, the target goal and performance must be 100% of all mercury-containing lamps are recycled. All other target goals listed in the policy can be set to any level that is appropriate for the project building.
To comply with MRp2, the Solid Waste Management Policy must state goals associated with the requirements of MRc7, MRc8, and MRc9. Does the project team need to track the performance of these related credits’ goals during the performance period?
The short answer is no, but it’s still good to do it. If the project team decides to pursue MRc7, MRc8 and/or MRc9, they will have to provide documentation and/or calculations demonstrating compliance for those credits. However, for this prerequisite (MRp2), demonstrating performance during the performance period is not required.
A manufacturer is claiming that certain trees, e.g. balsa, acacia, mesquite, can be harvested within 10 years, and thus contribute to this credit. Is this acceptable?
Yes. There is no official list of acceptable plants, but any biobased material that otherwise meets the requirements should be accepted, if you can get formal documentation from your supplier that the life cycle is less than 10 years.
Be careful, though—the caveat that USGBC provides in LEED Interpretation #10057, dated 5/9/2011, is that the plants must be "typically regenerated" within 10 years. Trees that could economically be harvested within 10 years, but for which that practice isn't typical, might not meet this standard.
What building components are typically purchased with renewable materials to reach the 2.5% credit threshold?
Big-ticket items commonly used for this credit include flooring, insulation, millwork, wall coverings, and coatings. These products can have enough combined cost to reach the credit threshold, and renewable options are generally widely available. That said, there are many other products made with renewable materials that can contribute to this credit, so taking the time to explore the opportunities specific to your project can be worthwhile.
How does this credit treat materials that come from animals such as wool or leather?
To count as rapidly renewable for the purposes of this credit, the material must be harvested without causing the animal harm, and the animal must be able to continue to regenerate the material. A good example is wool from a sheep. See LEED Interpretation #2549 for details.
What if the corrective action component of the credit is too costly for us? We don’t want to attempt this credit and then find out we’re not able to earn it because corrective action is too expensive.
Taking corrective action doesn’t necessarily require that you make making large changes or investments. Corrective action is more likely to consist of fairly minor activities like checking and adjusting temperature setpoints, adding task lighting, or educating occupants. You should take meaningful steps to try and remedy the problems identified through the survey, but you’re not expected to make wholesale changes to building systems or infrastructure.
What happens if there are many areas of occupant dissatisfaction that require corrective action? We might not have the time to address everything before we have to submit our LEED application.
It’s wise to plan your survey with adequate time to remedy potential issues. Remember that the performance period for any prerequisite or credit can last for a maximum of 24 months, at the discretion of the project team. That gives you lots of time to address issues before the end of the shared three-month performance period.