What can be omitted from the calculation verifying the percentage of reuse of buildings undergoing major renovation?
Nonstructural roofing material can be omitted from the calculation verifying the percentage of reuse of buildings undergoing major renovation in a LEED for Neighborhood Development project. The calculation typically focuses on structural elements of the building that have a significant impact on the overall sustainability of the renovation.
Detailed Explanation:
Reuse Calculation: In LEED-ND, the calculation for the percentage of building reuse considers the retention and reuse of structural and significant non-structural elements during a renovation. This is to ensure that the embodied energy and materials within the existing structure are maximized, reducing the need for new materials and minimizing waste.
Exclusion of Nonstructural Roofing Material: Nonstructural elements, such as roofing materials that do not contribute to the structural integrity of the building, are generally excluded from this calculation. This is because these materials are often replaced more frequently due to wear and tear and do not represent the same level of material conservation as structural components.
Structural Elements Focus: The emphasis is placed on retaining major structural components such as floors, framing, and exterior walls, which contribute significantly to the building's embodied energy and material footprint.
The LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development provides detailed instructions on how to calculate the percentage of building reuse and what elements should be included or excluded.
The LEED v4 Neighborhood Development documentation clarifies the definitions of structural and nonstructural materials in the context of building reuse.
For more details, refer to:
A developer is looking for a site to construct a LEED for Neighborhood Development project. Which contextual attribute would most contribute to gaining this certification?
For a LEED for Neighborhood Development project, having access to a local utility that supplies renewable energy to the site significantly contributes to earning certification. This contextual attribute aligns with LEED's emphasis on sustainable energy use, which is critical for reducing the environmental impact of the neighborhood. The availability of renewable energy directly supports credits related to Green Infrastructure and Buildings, such as those for Renewable Energy Production, and enhances the overall sustainability of the project.
What information is required to determine if a project quality for the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit. Wastewater Management?
To determine if a project qualifies for the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit related to Wastewater Management in LEED for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND), the most relevant piece of information is the average amount of annual wastewater generated by the project. This metric is essential because the credit focuses on minimizing the impact of wastewater on the environment, primarily through strategies such as reducing the volume of wastewater produced, treating wastewater on-site, and reusing treated wastewater.
Detailed Explanation:
Wastewater Generation and Management: The LEED-ND rating system encourages the efficient management of wastewater to minimize its environmental impact. Specifically, the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit requires that a project demonstrates effective strategies for managing and reducing the volume of wastewater generated annually. This involves calculating the total average amount of wastewater generated by the community and assessing how much of it can be treated and reused on-site.
Credit Requirements: To earn the Wastewater Management credit, projects must typically show that they have reduced the amount of wastewater generated by at least 25% compared to baseline conditions or that they treat and reuse a significant portion of their wastewater on-site. This necessitates an accurate estimation of the average annual wastewater production to determine the appropriate strategies and technologies for meeting the credit's objectives.
Supporting Strategies: Projects may employ various methods to achieve this, including installing efficient plumbing fixtures, recycling graywater, using natural treatment systems (like constructed wetlands), or connecting to high-efficiency municipal treatment facilities. However, all these strategies hinge on an understanding of the total wastewater volume generated, making this the most critical data point.
The LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development (LEED ND) provides comprehensive criteria and methodologies for calculating the average wastewater generation and determining credit eligibility.
The Green Infrastructure and Buildings section of the LEED v4 for Neighborhood Development rating system further outlines the specific requirements and point allocations for wastewater management strategies.
For more detailed guidance and examples, refer to the LEED-ND Reference Guide available at the USGBC's resources section:
LEED Reference Guide for Neighborhood Development
LEED v4 Neighborhood Development
This detailed assessment is crucial in ensuring that a project can meet the sustainability goals required for LEED certification under the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit for Wastewater Management.
Which of the following can be included within the boundary of a project site on an urban waterfront?
When defining the boundary of a project site on an urban waterfront, a dock to be constructed by the developer can be included. This is because it is a planned and integral part of the project's development. Other options like houseboats, marinas, or jetties that were in place prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy or the date of property acquisition are generally not included in the project boundary as they were not part of the project's initial development plans. LEED requires that all project-related infrastructure, especially those constructed as part of the project, be included within the project boundary.
Which of the following are eligible sources of renewable energy under Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit. Renewable Energy Production?
For the Green Infrastructure and Buildings Credit related to Renewable Energy Production, cogeneration of electricity and heat using mill residue biomass is an eligible source of renewable energy. This process, also known as combined heat and power (CHP), efficiently uses biomass to generate both electricity and thermal energy, reducing overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Passive solar heating strategies, while beneficial for reducing energy demand, do not directly produce renewable energy. Geothermal energy used with a ground-source heat pump is generally considered energy efficiency rather than renewable energy. Photovoltaic energy generation from off-site locations may not qualify unless it is directly tied to the project.
