Big Green: EQ 4.3

[Andrew Gil]

Ralph,

Thank you very much, You are, of course, correct. But, if you read my
question very carefully you might have realized that it wasn't until the
11th hour that it was discovered that this one product line hadn't been
tested. BY then the project had been long since completed. In fact, it came
as a BIG surprise to the US distributor (who had this carpet going into more
than a few LEED-registered projects) that this product line had not been
tested.

Although I'd frown on any "accomplishment" that was achieved via a
technicality, I'd have to respond to your assertion that (a) no betterment
will befall the occupants now if the requirement IS the Plus program, and
(b) it will ONLY turn out to have been  "a technicality" if indeed the
requirement is the Plus program: But, if it turns out that the requirement
is as written by the USGBC (that the Plus is used as a testing protocol, but
the performance standard requirement is based on the non-plus program), then
it won't have been a technicality, but a good, and worthwhile, question to
have asked.

Thanks for your feedback (I was hoping that you'd respond, Ralph).

Best Regards,

Andrew


Andrew M. Gil, AIA
Architect, LEED-Accredited Professional

HOLT Architects, P.C.
217 N. Aurora St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
p. 607 273-7600
f. 607 273-0475
http://www.holt.com


-----Original Message-----
From: Ralph Bicknese [mailto:rbicknese at hellmuth-bicknese.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 1:19 PM
To: 'Andrew Gil'; 'Biggreen'
Subject: RE: Big Green: EQ 4.3

Andrew.

Seems clear to me that he intent is that the carpet be CRI Plus Certified.
This is an upgrade from previous versions of LEED. Pad can be CRI Certified.

I have found that there are many conflicts between the criteria in the
reference manual and the on line templates.  My experience is that the
reference manual governs.

Also even if you could get by on a technicality and meet the credit based on
the argument that there is a variance between template and reference manual
criteria, would you really want to pass on the lesser product and lesser
protections to your client and occupants of the building?  ....I didn't
think so.

Cheers,
Ralph

-----Original Message-----
From: biggreen-bounces at lists.biggreen.org
[mailto:biggreen-bounces at lists.biggreen.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Gil
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2008 11:36 AM
To: Biggreen
Subject: Big Green: EQ 4.3

Dear Big Geeners,

 I have a very subtle, but also very important, question about the
requirements for EQ 4.3. Long-story-short: one of our projects is one point
short of LEED Silver, and we JUST heard (from the manufacturer) that we're
not going to get the EQ 4.3 point; I'm trying to verify that beyond doubt. A
carpet, made in Australia, was specified that turned out to be the ONLY
product line of theirs not tested for compliance with the CRI Green Label
test Program (they had been reformulating that product line). When this was
discovered, the manufacturer offered to conduct the 2-week test on this
product line, and since every other product line of theirs has previously
passed, it seemed inevitable that it would. Well, we just heard that the
results are compliant with the CRI Green Label, but not with the CRI Green
Label Plus.

Here' our dilemma: the LEED v2.2 Reference Guide's "Testing Criteria" states
(with poor, and confusing, grammar) that the test protocol must be Green
Label Plus, and that the "carpet must not exceed the maximum target emission
factors used in the RCI Green label program". Furthermore, the LEED Online
Template that needs to be submitted to the USGBC reads  "I,______, declare
to the USGBC that all carpet systems meet or exceed the current Carpet and
Rug Institute's Green Label Indoor Air Quality Test Program requirements".

Is it possible that the requirements are that the Green Label Plus must be
used only as a test protocol, and that the actual performance standard is
the Green Label?

Many Thanks,


Andrew M. Gil, AIA
Architect, LEED-Accredited Professional

HOLT Architects, P.C.
217 N. Aurora St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
p. 607 273-7600
f. 607 273-0475
http://www.holt.com




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