Initial Considerations
Step 3:
Evaluate "Unlikely" and "Non-applicable" Credits
In all LEED projects it is inevitable that some of
current security requirements generally prohibit the
the available credits will not be applicable. This is
extensive use of operable windows in a Federal
due, in part, to the design of the LEED system
Courthouse. Similarly, Credit SS-4.4 (Alternative
itself. The rating system includes, for instance,
Transportation, Parking Capacity) was excluded
credits targeted to building reuse that do not apply
because carpooling was not considered viable in
to new construction projects, as well as credits
the Federal Courthouse context (parking spaces
targeted to dense urban sites that will typically be
and access are only provided for judges, court
unachievable in suburban or rural settings. Other
officers, and others with high security clearance).
project variables that can cause credits to become
An example of an unlikely measure is Credit WE-2
non-applicable to GSA projects include:
(Innovative Wastewater Technologies). The credit
was considered unlikely for the Courthouse due to
The building type and programmatic
the expected high initial costs of an on-site
requirements (e.g., courthouse vs. office
wastewater treatment system, which would be
building vs. laboratory, vs. border station)
difficult to justify economically in an urban site
The project scope (e.g., exclusion of site
renovation and roof replacement in an office
Non-applicable and unlikely credits need to be
modernization scope)
assessed on a project by project basis, as general
credit assumptions may not apply to specific
GSA standards and policies, including those
projects. For instance, credit EA-4 (Ozone
related to facility security
Depletion) was excluded in the GSA LEED Cost
In addition to non-applicable credits, there are
Study because GSA defines acceptable HVAC
often a few LEED credits that a project team will
refrigerants through the EPA's Significant New
quickly determine are "unlikely" due to first cost
Alternatives Policy (SNAP). The SNAP refrigerant
impacts, maintenance considerations, or other
alternatives include HCFC-123 and HCFC-22,
reasons. To focus the project team's LEED efforts,
which (at the time of the analysis) did not qualify
it is useful to identify these unlikely and non-
under the LEED credit criteria. In actual projects,
applicable credits during the Initial Considerations
however, it is possible to install HVAC equipment
stage.
that will comply with the credit requirements. As
another example, credit EA-6 (Green Power) was
Example
categorized as non-applicable because it was
considered an operational issue outside the scope
Table 2-3 summarizes the 14 unlikely and non-
of the GSA LEED Cost Study. In actuality, some
applicable credits identified in the "Low-Cost"
GSA regions do purchase green power, which
Gold-rated Courthouse model of the GSA LEED
could potentially be attributed to a LEED project
Cost Study. Of the eight non-applicable credits, five
to meet the Green Power credit requirements.
are due to GSA-specific issues. For instance,
LEED Credit EQ-6.1 (Controllability of Systems,
Perimeter) was excluded because the credit requires
the installation of operable windows. GSA's
1
The credit, however, might be feasible for buildings
located on remote sites, such as some of GSA's Land
Port of Entry (Border Station) projects.
GSA LEED APPLICATIONS GUIDE
15
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