Expert Advice on Green Buildings

LEED CI Calculations: What Elements are Included in Tenant Space?

 
Question:

Melissa asks: We have a tenant project where the contractor is also the building owner. The finished design will include an entry element at the tenant entry, as well as a deck in the back. The building owner/GC would like to replace the roof/insulation for the entire building (not just our space). Do we account for all 3 items (roof, entry element, and deck) in our calculations and documentation for our LEED CI 2009 tenant space? Or do we just include the parts directly related to our space (the entry element and rear deck) and do not include the roof? Do we include only the portion of the roof that is considered "ours"?

Answer:
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Hi Melissa,

Good question. Any modifications you make to the specified tenant space (up to the inside face of structural walls) of the building should be counted for LEED CI 2009. Any additional scope such as replacing the entire roof and roof insulation for the entire building is separate from LEED CI as it is part of the building shell frame. LEED CI only focuses on non-shell components.

For calculation purposes, consider only the non-shell, non-structural components such as interior walls, flooring and ceiling systems as well as HVAC systems and plumbing for the specific tenant space.

However, should the Client and Design Team decide to reuse portions of the salvaged roof and place inside the tenant space (i.e. reusing metal decking as decorative interior wall partition), it would add to MR Credit 3.1 Materials Reuse and possibly ID credits.

Although the rear deck is part of the tenant space, it lies outside of the building frame and itself is a structural component, which complicates this part of the calculations. It is my opinion that the rear deck would not contribute to LEED CI credits, but you can proceed and query GBCI during the Credit Interpretation and Rulings Process and they might be flexible in that regard.

Good luck!

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