The US Building Green Council’s LEED program measures the environmental impact of a building project, with the Commercial Interiors program designed for individual tenants. Projects earn points for addressing environmental impact in six categories, with certification awarded based on the number of points earned. Building owners must register with the USGBC, and employees can obtain accreditation to lead projects through the certification process.
The US Building Green Council (USGBC) is an international organization dedicated to the development and improvement of green building techniques and performance. The USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program is one of the most widely used systems in the world for measuring the environmental impact of a building project, along with the operational performance of the building. There are several different types of LEED programs, most focusing on the entire scope of a project, from the chosen site to the building’s mechanical systems. Unlike other LEED programs, the Commercial Interiors (CI) program is designed for individual tenants in a space. LEED CI gives tenants control over green building only within their space and does not require the rest of the building to follow the program.
At LEED CI, business owners can have their space certified by the USGBC based on how green or eco-friendly the project is. The project earns points based on how many different areas of environmental impact are addressed during design and construction. To obtain certification, a project must earn 40 to 49 points. Upon earning 50-59 points, the project receives a “Silver” rating, while projects earning 60-79 points will receive a “Gold” status. Projects that earn more than 80 points in the LEED CI program receive a “Platinum” rating, which is the highest possible certification for a green building.
There are many different ways for building owners to earn LEED CI points, and each method is classified under one of six different headings. As part of the “Sustainable Sites” category, projects can earn points for adding bike racks for passengers or encouraging occupants to use public transport instead of cars. In the “Water Efficiency” category, projects earn points by reducing water consumption through low-flow equipment and gray water recycling systems. Buildings can also earn a large number of points in the “Energy and Atmosphere” category, which aims to improve the efficiency of energy, heating and cooling systems.
As part of the “Materials and Resources” category, projects earn points for using recycled or sustainable materials. The “Indoor Air Quality” category focuses on improving ventilation to achieve safe levels of indoor air quality. Projects can also earn points in this category by using low-emission paints, mats and adhesives to help reduce toxic fumes and gases. Finally, some projects earn bonus points in a category called “Innovation and Design”. This allows building owners and designers to develop and incorporate their own unique methods of making the project more “green”.
Building owners must register with the USGBC to be eligible for the LEED CI program. As the project progresses, they must submit records to the USGBC review board to support every possible credit or point. The USGBC will evaluate each point to determine which level of certification, if any, will be awarded.
Employees in the design and construction business may wish to obtain accreditation under the LEED CI program. Individuals must pass an exam by the USGBC to obtain accreditation. Once an individual is accredited, he or she will have all the necessary skills and training to help lead a project through the certification process. Although accreditation is voluntary, many employees will find that it can improve their employment prospects and often helps to ease the difficult certification process.
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