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LinkLine: Summer 2005

Specifying "Green" Without LEED

SpecLink’s “green” provisions are not exclusively for LEED Certification. In fact, all “green” provisions are stated without LEED language to make them useful for any project whether or not LEED Certification is needed. In most cases, the green provisions are simply additional specifier options that may or may not apply to the project. The green provisions are also more “universal” because they are not collected into a single “LEED” section — the relevant provisions are located in each applicable specification section, where they can address the issue independently of LEED. For example, Section 01 5721 - Indoor Air Quality Controls (01734 - Indoor Air Quality), includes provisions to achieve LEED EA Prerequisite 2 (testing dedicated smoking rooms), EA Credit 2 (verification of ventilation effectiveness), and EA Credits 3.1 and 3.2 (construction air quality precautions and procedures), without mentioning LEED at all! Any or all of those procedures would be just as relevant on projects not requiring LEED certification.

An easy way to identify sections that address “green” issues is to review Section 01 3515 (01355) LEED REQUIREMENTS. Although its list of specification sections is intended for the Contractor’s information, it also serves as a checklist for the specifier. Here’s a list of SpecLink sections that address major environmental responsibility issues independently of LEED:

  • 01 5713 (01575) - Temporary Erosion and Sedimentation Control (prevention, remediation)
  • 01 5721 (01734) - Indoor Air Quality Controls (during construction and prior to occupancy)
  • 01 6000 (01600) - Product Requirements (project-wide material requirements and prohibitions)
  • 01 7000 (01700) - Execution and Closeout Requirements (site drainage, pollution prevention)
  • 01 7419 (01732) - Construction Waste Management and Disposal (landfill diversion)
  • 01 9113 (01810) - General Commissioning Requirements (functional testing by Contractor)**
  • 01 9114 (01815) - Commissioning Authority Responsibilities (independent agency)**
  • 02 6500 (02115) - Underground Storage Tank Removal (petroleum)
  • 02 8400 (13284) - Polychlorinate Biphenyl (PCB) Remediation (and mercury lamps)
  • 06 1000 (06100) - Rough Carpentry (and other Division 6 sections) (prohibition on old growth timber, sustainably harvested wood, salvaged and re-used wood)
  • 07 9005 (07900) - Joint Sealers (VOC limits prescribed by law and LEED)
  • 09 6800 (09680) - Carpeting and 09 6850 (09685) - Carpet Tile (low emitting materials)
  • 09 9000 (09900) - Painting and Coating (VOC limits prescribed by law and LEED)
  • 23 0800 (15102) - Commissioning of HVAC (Contractor’s duties specific to HVAC)
  • 31 1000 (02230) - Site Clearing (limits on site disturbance)
  • 32 1413 (02783) - Precast Concrete Unit Paving (open-grid pavers for pervious surfacing)

    • ** See our LinkLine Spring 2005 issue for “Specifying Commissioning Using SpecLink,” which while relevant to LEED, is critical to proper functioning of virtually any type of building project.

    For additional information, see the following articles:
    SpecLink Makes LEED Specs Easier
    New LEED Tag and Report
    Getting Started with LEED and Specs