Thanks

You’re right, for the amount of times these “name the final all-mighty decision maker” questions pop up on the practice and real exams you would think there would be an official chart by usgbc or another outside expert that explains who and why. I know for some credits it would be possible for there to be more than one final decision maker, as this chart shows, but thats never the way the question is written. Even the reference manual does a really bad job of covering this. The chart above is a good start. I took the time to try to solve this puzzle.

One thing I’ve noticed is that many of the construction submittal credits have the final say by the contractor, but there are a few exceptions.

Heres my list, feel free to critique!!…
* still unsure

SSP1 – Contractor
SS1 – Owner
SS2 – LEED AP
SS3 – Owner
SS4.1 – Owner
SS4.2 – Architect
SS4.3 – Owner
SS4.4 – Civil Eng
SS5.1 – Contractor
SS5.2 – Civil Eng
SS6.1 – Civil Eng
SS6.2 – Civil Eng
SS7.1 – Contractor
*SS7.2 – LEED AP
SS8 – Lighting Designer

WE1.1 – LArch
WE1.2 – LAarch
WE2 – Mech Eng
WE3.1 – Mech Eng
WE3.2 – Mech Eng

EAP1 – CxA
EAP2 – Mech Eng
EAP3 – Mech Eng
EA1 – Mech Eng
EA2 – Mech Eng
EA3 – CxA
EA4 – Mech Eng
EA5 – Mech Eng
EA6 – Owner

*MRP1 – Architect (Owner?)
*MR1.1 – Str Engineer (Architect?)
*MR1.2 – Str Engineer (Architect?)
*MR1.3 – Architect
MR2 thru 7 – Contractor

EQP1 – Mech Engineer
EQP2 – Owner
EQ1 – Mech Engineer
EQ2 – Mech Engineer
EQ3.1 – Contractor
EQ3.2 – Contractor
EQ4.1 – Contractor
Eq4.2 – Contractor
Eq4.3 – Architect
Eq4.4 – Contractor
*EQ5 – LEED AP
EQ6.1 – Mech Engineer
EQ6.2 – Mech Engineer
EQ7.1 – Mech Engineer
EQ7.2 – Owner
EQ8.1 – Architect
EQ8.2 – Architect

This whole Decision Maker doesn’t really make sense to me and i notice their is not alot of info on it with exception to just memorizing it all (which their is already enough that needs to be memorized). Is their a formula or format or definition on what the role of the decision maker is or how the decision maker is determined for each credit?

Thanks and all your work is awesome!

Which of the following people makes the final decision on MR Credit 5.1 Regional Materials?

A. Engineers
B. Contractors
C. Owner-Developers
D. Architects

The Credit Characteristics table as well as your Decision Makers table states that it is the architect and the contractor. I chose architect and was wrong. The answer was B. Contractors. Is there a chart or something that specifies who the actual point advoate is when several parties are involved in the decision making?

P.S. Thanks so much for the site! Its been a tremendous help!

Credit 7.1 material states the site credit applies to the SITE. This only applies to hardscape of the site, parking, courtyard, walks, etc. Does not include roof area, or other open space areas.

On page 25 of the manual the word INCLUDE is missing a U and there is a gap.

The site credit implementation should correctly state that the EXISTING imperviousness of the site is (1) equal to or less than 50% or (b) greater than 50%. The worksheet page calls this out as IMPERVIOUS SURFACE of the site.

For Prereq EAp2 Your materials claim a 5 year phase out, the USGBC book claims a phase out at completion for HVAC unless its connected to a CWS. The walkthru materials seems to have its information reversed.

Comments appreciated.

Is the reference guide out of date? Thanks.

Any info would help.

Thanks
Carl

PS I am Canadian and will test in Canada

I could find some rule to determine decision maker for each credit in the chart.
Then, I’m not clear about Architect and LEED AP. When Architect and LEED AP can be decision maker in general?
Thanks,

What is correct?

Could anyone please clarify this? Thanks.

Is this the definitive chart? I have seen other materials that have different DM’s. Does the website or reference guide have a list we can look at?

With regards to LEEDPASS, I have seen it touted as one of the best out there. However, after a cursory review of LEEDPASS vs Walkthrough (I’ve had each less than 3 days), it appears that yours seems much more user “friendly”. After only a few pages up front, LEEDPASS becomes a “cut and paste” off the Reference Guide.

What I am doing is collecting as much data as I can, picking out the meat of each and creating my own sort of “highlight reel” in a word document. What I need to do is stop collecting all these materials (I have three 2″ binders full of data), read the Reference Guide simultaneous with your Walkthrough, and select one on-line outfit (Colorado? or Greenexamprep?) and begin concentrating on the test.

It’s up to you how you want to learn the material. On eht real exam, however, you may find a few questions that go beyond “design team” and ask you for your knowledge of which engineers or member of the design team will make a decision.

If you believe you are familiar with this already, and don’t want to learn the specific designer or engineer, that is ok – but I go beyond design team to make sure people aren’t surprised when they take the real thing.

Regarding LEEDPASS, I’ve heard that there were quite a few mistakes, so I would be reluctant to trust the information in that guide. It’s really up to you.

Thanks for your purchase, rookwood, and best of luck to you!

With regards to my posting above, I purchased your LEED AP Walkthrough yesterday.

I now have the Reference Guide, the LEEDPASS manual and the Walkthrough, all giving different accounts on the roles of the Decision Makers. I really prefer the simplified “Design Team”, as it categorizes them collectively as a group.

The only one I would have issue with is perhaps breaking out the LEED AP as a stand alone.

Can we not just note the professionals, including LEED AP, as Design Team in lieu of Architect, Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, etc.? This is the way it is charted in the Reference Guide.

The chart in your walkthrough is different than the chart on this page. SSp1 shows LEED AP/ Arch. instead of Civil Eng. Also, SSc4.1 Shows LEED AP/ Arch. where the chart on this page only shows the owner.

Which is correct?

S. Charts

Those particular credits you mentioned are pretty vague as far as the decision maker is concerned. It ultimately comes down to the owner with those, but I can see where he’s coming from, so it wouldn’t hurt just to know the extras.

That’s just my personal opinion. Anybody else?

SS4.3 He has Owner, LEED AP and Architect

EQp2 He has Owner and Mechanical

What do you think?

You have to be careful to understand that this chart has to do with the “decision makers”, which is a little different than who is involved in what credit.

The decision makers are the people who are involved with certain parts of the LEED ONLINE CREDIT TEMPLATES and kind of “sign off” on certain things, if that makes sense.

The owner would be “involved” with a lot more than you see in the chart, but it’s the owner who is a “decision maker” for the ones you see above.

So, to answer your specific questions:

EA2: yes, the owner would be involved, but is not a DECISION MAKER for the LEED Online credit template

EQ4.3: contractor isn’t a decision maker for this particular credit dealing with carpet systems.

EQ5: LEED AP is in charge with seeing that the requirements are fulfilled for this credit, based on the work that the mech. engineer does and also the contractor too.

ID2: You’re somewhat correct here. Actually, the contractor, owner and LEED AP should be under this credit as they are the team that will most likely hire a LEED AP.

Thanks for the comments, Robin. I hope that makes sense – I know it’s a little confusing!

Good luck!

Why isn’t the Civil engineer apart of WE 2? If wastewater was treated on site, wouldn’t they be involved?

EA2, wouldn’t the Owner be involved with the decision to have on-site renewable?

EQ 4.3 Why no Contractfor if they are involved with the 3 other simular credits?

EQ5, shouldn’t mechanical engineer be involved with exhausting spaces and providing ventilation?

ID2, what does the Contractor have to do with the LEED AP. Isn’t the Owner the only decision maker because they would make sure that someone was hired with the qualifications?