Design Development

NRC ratings may not always be available from manufacturers of ceiling tiles and drywall.

Compare the baseline and design case water use budgets to determine the water reduction percentage goals for the project. The LEED Online credit form has a built-in calculator to facilitate this calculation. Repeat this process until final selection of water fixtures and strategies have been made and the project’s water reduction goals are satisfied. 

An architect can check and meet

No RT calculations need to be run for this compliance path. It is based on material selection.

For residential projects, showers typically use more water than any other fixtures due to the duration of use. For commercial projects, toilets and urinals typically use more water. Water-saving strategies should target the most consumptive fixtures to achieve greatest water reductions.

The architect or acoustics consultant calculates total ceiling area and decides whether Option 1 (all ceiling material to have an

Select water-efficient fixtures and strategies. Gather information on applicable fixtures including manufacturer, model number, and flush or flow rates.

Reverberation Time: Case 1, Classrooms and Core Learning Spaces less than 20,000 ft³

Acoustic requirements can add minimal upfront costs associated with upgraded mechanical equipment, wall assembly design, and materials selection.

Including microphone and speakers in a classroom design or other electronic amplifiers will not contribute to credit compliance. Amplification allows the teacher to be heard more easily but does not reduce reverberation time or background noise levels.