At this time all mechanical, electrical and plumbing components should be excluded from the calculations for all purchasing credits.

Facility alterations and additions have specific definitions in the LEED-EBOM program. Alterations must involve more than one trade specialty AND make substantial changes to at least one entire room. Teams often mistakenly think the credit can be earned by having more than one trade on a job, but this alone does not meet the credit requirements. Double-check that your facility construction activities are eligible for this credit by consulting the requirements on page xxiii of the 2009 EBOM Reference Guide. The requirements are summarized below:

Consider extending the performance period for this credit back to include qualifying alterations or additions. The performance period for any prerequisite or credit can last for a maximum of 24 months, at the discretion of the project team. Remember that all performance periods must overlap and terminate within 30 days of each other. Consult pages xix – xx of the LEED-2009 EBOM Reference Guide for additional guidance.

Fire, Life and Safety are exempt from this credit.

Both options work, but you must ensure that the calibration aligns with the manufacturer’s recommended interval. For either option, your team must develop a calibration report that summarizes the calibration and system testing performed during the performance period. Be sure that whoever is performing the calibration has the appropriate instrumentation and is following the calibration schedule from the manufacturer, including testing / replacing valves, dampers and sensors.

Providing local automatic controls (occupancy sensors) for lighting is considered to be an acceptable level of automation for this credit; no BAS tie-in is required. It is also a cost-effective alternative and is more desirable in multi-tenant buildings.

Yes, this scenario would meet the credit requirements. The intent is for the building to have automated control over the major building systems, not that one system controls everything. If a building has areas with distinct usage patterns (i.e. an arena), then it is reasonable to have another BAS controlling the functions related to that space. Make sure that HVAC and lighting is controlled for the entire building and that the system has a user interface that provides trend information.

The water use for each equipment type needs to be equal to or lower than the maximum water use specified in the credit language.

The July 2010 LEED reference guide addenda states “‘At least 4 process items’ with ‘All appliances within at least 4 equipment types’" must be used. In other words, if you used just four compliant dishwashers, you would likely not achieve this credit.

Garbage disposals consume large quantities of potable water. Collecting food waste for composting is ideal but food waste can be sent to the landfill if there is not a better alternative. Water efficient scrap collectors and pulpers may also be considered by GBCI.