Specs for a LEED Platinum School

As many subscribers are already aware, BSD SpecLink includes a lot of spec sections that are specifically intended to address the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Rating Systems. Our LEED Credit Summary is a tool to help the specifier quickly activate the specs needed to address particular credits. It also serves as a record of which credits the specs were intended to address. On the other hand, there are many credits which can be addressed using conventional or "not specifically green" materials or equipment. So, BSD recently decided to test how well SpecLink could address the most challenging achievement level of LEED - Platinum - using an actual model project.

Using LEED for Schools, version 2007, and the space program for an elementary school obtained from a public school district, we did a design evaluation for each prerequisite and each possible credit. It quickly became clear that when going for Platinum, the first thing is to determine whether there are any credits that are not physically possible, regardless of cost. That consideration resulted in two model projects, one for an urban school on a restricted site using a renovated building, and one for new construction on a generous suburban site. As one would guess, these parameters relate to a lot of the Sustainable Sites credits and the Building Re-Use credits. The suburban school probably can't get the credits relating to development density, brownfield rehabilitation, public transportation, or building re-use. On the other hand, the urban school may not be able to restore natural habitat due to need to use the entire surface area of the site. It might also be difficult to achieve some of the Daylighting or Views credits due to the configuration of the existing building. Even with these and other limitations, both model schools could achieve the Platinum rating with good design, only half of the 10 energy performance points, and very little recycled, renewable, or regional materials. In addition, all the credits that do not involve construction should be achievable. It would be a shame not to get Platinum just because the Owner couldn't do those things.

At www.bsdsoftlink.com/library/speclibrary_model_projects.htm are several downloadable files that may help developing a spec for a LEED Platinum School:

• A model space program for an elementary school
• Two LEED checklists annotated to show which spec sections apply to which credits.
• A new SpecLink model project file pre-edited for a LEED platinum elementary school.

SS Credits 5.1, 5.2, 7.1, & 7.2 (Site Development and Heat Island Effect): For the urban school these four credits are interrelated and affected by how the limited site area is used and where outdoor play area is provided, on the ground or on the roof. For urban areas, the site credits reward pedestrian hardscape and vegetated roofs. But a vegetated roof would not be durable enough for a play area.

WE Credits (Water Efficiency): Our calculations indicate that 6 or the 7 points for water efficiency can be achieved by simply using the most efficient fixtures on the market, without using rainwater or gray water. The 7th point, 20% process water use reduction, carries specific limitations that might not be feasible -- no use of a cooling tower and no garbage disposals.

EA Credit 1 (Optimize Energy Performance) Our model school is just over 100,000 square feet. If it were under 100,000, the project team could utilize Option 2 for up to 5 points, without having to do energy modeling. This option follows the recommended prescriptive measures of the Advanced Buildings Core Performance Guide developed by the New Buildings Institute, www.newbuildings.org.

IEQ Credit 4 (Low-Emitting Materials): The low-emission criteria for LEED for Schools are completely different from the other rating systems but quite doable. Since the criteria are health-related, rather than pollution-related, this credit should be a very high priority for schools.

Credits involving work or decisions by Owner not affecting the design or construction:

SS Prereq 2, Environmental Site Assessment.
SS Credit 1, Site Selection.
SS Credit 9, Site Master Plan.
SS Credit 10, Joint Use of Facilities.
EA Credit 6, Green Power.
IEQ Prereq 2, Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control.
EA Credit 7.2, Thermal Comfort, Verification.
IDP Credit 2, LEED Accredited Professional.
IDP Credit 3, School as a Teaching Tool.