Occupants will appreciate if showers are conveniently located and accessible from the bike storage area. This will also increase use of the biking and showering facilities.
Per numerous CIR rulings, showers can be located off-site within 200 yards of a building entrance as long as they are accessible to building occupants.
There is no formal training required to pass the exam and become a LEED AP. The cost of exam preparation can be reduced through independent studying and use of free information on green building.
Becoming a LEED AP will lead to some costs related to exam preparation, the exam registration fee of several hundred dollars, and any training manuals or classes. However, unlike other credits that may require capital investments, these expenses may be considered normal professional development, and will benefit the project building in many ways as the individual applies that green building knowledge.
It is more helpful to have a LEED AP that is not directly responsible for design as the LEED AP will ideally be assisting all design and construction trades to ensure the LEED process is on track. It may be difficult for a LEED AP to effectively manage the LEED process if, for example, they are also responsible for the architectural design.
If project team does not include a LEED AP, consider hiring a LEED AP to assist with the project, or asking one or more team members to become LEED APs. The LEED AP credential should be earned prior to the start of the project. Doing so ensures that person’s availability in assisting with planning before the start of the design.
A LEED Accredited Professional who has worked on the specific rating system your project is filing under will be more effective than one who has worked on other rating systems or on no LEED projects at all.
The LEED AP credential program was overhauled in spring 2009. Although the credential is now being administered very differently, anyone who already received the LEED AP designation before these updated requirements is still equally eligible to contribute to this credit.
