CSI Joint Meeting with Cascadia GBC - March 5, 2009

Tech Talk
by Dave Seifert of BCRA and Mark Bergquist, CSI, CDT of McGranahan Architects

Specifying LEED®

The following is a list of key points discussed by Dave and Mark during their "Tech Talk" last Thursday:
- Ask Owners for CIR (Credit Interpretations & Rulings) budget (each question costs $220).
- Revise Specification Section 01300 to require the Contractor have on staff a LEED® AP who is as responsible as the Architects AP.
- The Waste Management Credit is not difficult to earn in Washington. Many of the waste management companies already offer recycling. It is recommended that a list of suggested companies and a sample plan is included in the specification section. The most difficult part is getting the submittals.
- Add LEED® requirements to each applicable section which additionally refers back to charts, LEED® credits, and applicable reference section(s).
- An example was provided to display how a credit may be lost if a site/project is audited - "it does not matter whether one tube or 100 tubes of caulk are used or even found on site which exceed allowable VOC's, the point will be lost."
- Hold a LEED® Pre-construction Meeting and invite all those who will be affected by project and reporting requirements. In particular, be sure those who may not have had prior experience with LEED® attend.
- When notified by USGBC which credits are accepted and which are denied, do not accept the first answer if you feel it has been achieved. Some times it is a matter of stating or showing in a different way how the credit was achieved.

LEED® Dinner Program Round Table
by Dave Seifert of BCRA, Mark Bergquist, CSI, CDT of McGranahan Architects, Ken Schmidt of Lease Crutcher Lewis and Jeff Stroud of Mountain Construction

The following is a list of key points discussed during the LEED® Roundtable last Thursday:
- Subcontractors need to be brought up to speed on LEED® requirements and reporting procedures. They are the last link to a successful project.
- The most time-consuming part of a successful LEED® project is the documentation. Stay on top of the submittals and other paperwork. The subcontractors and suppliers must complete their portion and provide adequate documentation.
- LEED® Gold seems to add 5-10% cost and time to a project.

If you've got comments on any of the above or additional tips, feel free to add them in the comments or notify us via e-mail and we will add them.

-Caroline N. O'Leary, Assoc. AIA