Intent:
- Encourage forest management program.
Implementation:
- Use minimum of 50% of wood materials and products certified in accordance with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Principles and Criteria for wood building components:
- framing
- flooring and sub-flooring
- wood doors
- etc.
- Based on Cost of FSC wood products compared to total wood material cost.
- Exclude MEP and elevator equipment
- Furniture is okay to be used in this calculation
- Contractor doesn’t need the FSC number, but the supplier does.
Code:
- FSC certification seal
Submittal Phase:
- construction
Extra Credit:
- use 95% FSC certified wood, instead of 50%
Other Materials & Resources Credits
- MR P1 – Storage and Collection of Recyclables (prerequisite)
- MR 1.1 – Building Reuse, Maintain 75% of Existing Walls, Floors, & Roof
- MR 1.2 – Building Reuse, Maintain 95% of Existing Walls, Floors & Roof
- MR 1.3 – Building Reuse, Maintain 50% of Interior Non-Structural Elements
- MR 2.1 – Construction Waste Management, Divert 50% from Disposal
- MR 2.2 – Construction Waste Management, Divert 75% from Disposal
- MR 3.1 – Materials Reuse, 5%
- MR 3.2 – Materials Reuse, 10%
- MR 4.1 – Recycled Content, 10% (post-consumer + 1/2 pre-consumer)
- MR 4.2- Recycled Content, 20% (post-consumer + 1/2 pre-consumer)
- MR 5.1 – Regional Materials, 10% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Regionally
- MR 5.2 – Regional Materials, 20% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Regionally
- MR 6 – Rapidly Renewable Materials
- MR 7 – Certified Wood
36 Comments On This Post
How important is it to know the Chain-of-Custody Requirements?
Hey Andrew,
I don’t think its that important to get into the details of the CoC requirements, just know the basic idea behind it.
hi pat,
i think you have to change 75% mentioned in the extra point with only 50%.
Thanks,
Thanks! Much appreciated!
Pat, What a great website, Im currently working in Dubai UAE and will be doing me LEED AP exam soon, I just wanted to thank you for all your help, you have made this process alot esier.
Wood products that are only used temporarily, such as scaffolding, may ( T / F )
not be counted for the purposes of MRc7, Certified Wood.
TEST SAYS True. is there a loop hole in the requirments amnot aware about?
Hi Crunch,
I did a quick look up and found out that temporary products may be included in this calculation. However, if any temporary wood products (like the scaffolding) is used in the calculation, then ALL temporary wood must be included in the calculation.
Hope that helps!
For MRc1, Building Reuse, which of the following aspects of a building project should not be included in the LEED calculations for submission? (Choose 3.)
a. Small additions to the existing building
b. Remediated hazardous materials
c. Interior floor coverings
d. Reusable furniture pieces
e. Roof decking
f. Doors
ans> ABD — does anyone know why?
Thanks Pat.
Hi Again, hehe. Late night of studying I see.
Regarding your question above, here is what I’m thinking about each of the answers.
A. correct answer because you don’t count additions to a building as part of the calculation for “maintaining at least 75% of the existing buildings infrastructure and envelope”. It’s kind of a tricky answer because there is the fact that is the project addition is more than 2x the size of the original existing building, this credit is not applicable. Those two points are totally separate. Does that make sense? This is per MRc1.1 & MRc1.2
B. Correct because the reference guide specifically says no remediated hazardous materials. (This will probably be added to the outline above) This is Per MRc1.1 & MRc1.2
C. Incorrect because they can be included in the calculation. This is per MRc1.2 & MRc1.2
D. Correct because furniture pieces, if being reused, should only count toward MRc3 thru 7, and must be used consistently in the calculations for each of those categories from MRc3 thru 7.
E. Roof decking is definitely applicable to MRc1’s calculation.
F. Incorect because doors, per MRc1.3, is a non-structural interior element that can be included in the “maintain 50% of the interior” calculation.
Hope that makes sense…hehe! Good luck!
quick comment on temporary scaffolding (wood) used and whether this contributes to MR7. in addition to pat’s comments, the reference guide also states that
“If such materials are purchased for use on multiple projects, the applicant may include these materials for only one project, at its discretion.”
In the back of the NC 2.2 Ref guide there is a practice exam- question 58 asks: which of the following would qualify for MR 7
A Dimensioned lumber
B Salvaged Wood
C Hardwood Flooring
D Non rented conc. formwork
E Composite Wood Doors
The answer guide gives A D E
Why wouldn’t C Hardwood Flooring qualify
Also- the ref guide mentions wood doors but not Composite Wood Doors!!
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks
hey Steve, which edition of NC2.2 Ref guide are you using, I have first edition and there is no practice exam?
Pat: I disagree with the following:
“Hi Again, hehe. Late night of studying I see.
Regarding your question above, here is what I’m thinking about each of the answers.
A. correct answer because you don’t count additions to a building as part of the calculation for “maintaining at least 75% of the existing buildings infrastructure and envelope”. It’s kind of a tricky answer because there is the fact that is the project addition is more than 2x the size of the original existing building, this credit is not applicable. Those two points are totally separate. Does that make sense? This is per MRc1.1 & MRc1.2
B. Correct because the reference guide specifically says no remediated hazardous materials. (This will probably be added to the outline above) This is Per MRc1.1 & MRc1.2
C. Incorrect because they can be included in the calculation. This is per MRc1.2 & MRc1.2
D. Correct because furniture pieces, if being reused, should only count toward MRc3 thru 7, and must be used consistently in the calculations for each of those categories from MRc3 thru 7.
E. Roof decking is definitely applicable to MRc1’s calculation.
F. Incorect because doors, per MRc1.3, is a non-structural interior element that can be included in the “maintain 50% of the interior” calculation.
Hope that makes sense…hehe! Good luck!”
I think the question is either wrong, or our friend crunch had a typo in the question. The question clearly indicates that it is for MRC1 which would be MRC1.1, 1.2 and 1.3. For credit 1.3 any addition is counted in the overall calculation.
Thanks Parker, I appreciate it. I agree with you now after looking back at it. It difficult because there are some great practice exam questions, and some terrible or poorly worded ones that can just confuse us even more.
All the best to you.
i’ve been using the first edition of the reference guide, and have come across updated material in the later editions randomly. is there a more comprehensive list of the updates in the second and third edition?
thanks!
Pat, np. Thanks to you, this website, and the people here, I just might pass this coming monday. *Crosses fingers*
aradhana–
On the USGBC website there is a page of updates called the “Errata Sheet” that you can download. Also, have you considered buying Pat’s LEED AP Walkthrough? It has the erratas listed with the credit that they apply to. Very helpful!
Going back to Steve’s ques:
Which of the following would qualify for MR 7
A Dimensioned lumber
B Salvaged Wood
C Hardwood Flooring
D Non rented conc. formwork
E Composite Wood Doors
The answer guide gives A D E
Why wouldn’t C Hardwood Flooring qualify.
Can someone answer this??
For LEED MRC7 “only include materials permanently installed in the project”.Then how come D qualifies?
Acc. to me it should be A C E. Help!!
According to the AWI Hardwood is a Grade 1. Grade 1 is topshelf wood and generally has a limited supply of FSC forests. Specifying lower grades 2 and 3 will reduce pressure on those types of forests.
Specifying lower grades of lumber can also be a bad idea from the standpoint of earning a credit. Because this credit is based on cost, buying lower grade wood FSC wood would reduce the overall cost spent on FSC and impact your ability to comply.
These are some of the conflicts I hope they iron out in LEED 2009.
But there are some hardwood that are FSC certified. Also why D is the correct answer? Can someone explain this?
i think mamz is correct…. there are Grade 1 hardwood that is FSC certified- Has to be.
The reason why Grade 2 and 3 should be aimed for instead of Grade 1 is to reduce pressure yes – but that does not justify the answer. i would think the answers given are wrong.
NON RENTED CONC. FORMWORK cant count by any stretch of the imagination [:P]
A green-built fire station is being constructed out of a 1920s-era police station. The new building reuses 98% of the exterior structure of the old building and 40% of interior elements. It also intends to collect, store, and recycle glass, plastics, and metals. In addition, all wood purchased for the project will be FSC-certified, and the project team has made a large-scale effort to incorporate non-structural interior elements of the project, such as doors, that were unfit for use under the same circumstances, into decorative aspects such as trim. For which LEED points would the project be eligible? (Choose 1.)
a. MRc1.1, MRc3, MRc7
b. MRc1.1, MRc1.2, MRc3, MRc7
c. MRc1.1, MRc1.2, MRc1.3, MRc3, MRc7
d. MRc1.3, MRc3, MRc7
e. MRc1.1, MRc1.2, MRc7
f. The project is not eligible for LEED certification
i had put this qs up last evening asking why the answer was F. instead of B. I cant place which thread it was on.
But i figured today what the reason was-
Read carefully:
“It also intends to collect, store, and recycle glass, plastics, and metals.”
It does not talk about recycle paper and corrugated cardboard which are a part of the minimum requirement for the pre- req – and if the prereq isnt satisfied – It isnt possible to go ahead with LEED.
hope this helps
Crunch:
Because CEF will be included – that leaves you with 3 option one of which is A.
The way i answered this qs was from the point of what i was definite about -1.e: CEF WILL BE INCLUDED
that just left me with ABD for answers
regarding arpita’s latest post:
the fact that an ID credit is not in the answer options could help you question the possibility of f. if the prereq for recyclables was provided then you could an ID for MR C7 certified wood having 100% FSC wood >95%. isn’t this correct?
Sam:
The given options are not all inclusive. This qs might not be the best example. but synergies exist among various credits.
You would definitely have chosen ID if that option was given. But when it is not – you’ll have to pick the best of the lot.
No credit is available if you DO NOT SATISFY ALL PREREQS.
Hope that answers your qs.
You are preparing the specifications for a project seeking to earn MR Credit 7, FSC-Certified Wood. Among other components of the building, you plan to use FSC-certified wood veneer for doors. In what division should you specify the FSC-certified doors? (Choose one)
A) ___ Section 08 44 00: Wood Doors
B) ___ Division 1: General Requirements
C) ___ Division 6: Wood, Plastics, and Composites
D) ___ Through the Chain-of-Custody (CoC) certification process
The answer key is “B”, how come? can anyone help with this?
Thanks
Ref guide 2.2 – page 283 – Approach and Implementation – Last Para
“Specify in contract documents that wood products shall come from forests that are certifies as well-managed . . . ”
I understand from it that intent to use FSC Wood needsto be mentioned in one place and Division 1 – General Requirement would be best place to put it .
Also taking hint from the question . . . “project seeking to earn MR Credit 7, FSC – Certified Wood ” , B is a stronger answer than A.
D is not an section / division in specifications.
Ref guide 2.2 – page 283 – Approach and Implementation – Last Para
“Specify in contract documents that wood products shall come from forests that are certifies as well-managed . . . ”
I understand from it that intent to use FSC Wood needsto be mentioned in one place and Division 1 – General Requirement would be best place to put it .
Also taking hint from the question . . . “project seeking to earn MR Credit 7, FSC – Certified Wood ” , B is a stronger answer than A.
D is not a section / division in specifications.
Took my test today. UNBELIEVABLE number a questions on FSC Wood. At least 5. They tied a tricky one into a Regional Materials, fractional assembly question.
Considering FSC wood is one point and there were five questions, and EAc1 is 10 points and there were less than 2 questions there raises an eyebrow.
Can anyone tell me why LEED specifies FSC instead of SFI wood? What is it about SFI wood that LEED feels isn’t as good as FSC? Thanks
FSC COC is more thorough than SFI. FSC is an independent non profit org whereas SFI is industry supported
FSC COC is more thorough than SFI. FSC is an independent non profit org whereas SFI is industry supported. FSC is worldwide
http://www.yale.edu/forestcertification/faq.html
Here is a good breakdown of the differences. Whether or not these are the reasons USGBC adopted FSC and not SFI I do not know.
How much total wood does a building need to have to be elegible for the certified wood credit? Is a project with only a few wooden floors and doors elegible for this credit? should I even try to get the points?
I am trying to figure out if composite woods are required to be used in MR 7 Certified woods. The composite wood is used for blocking and does not have any recycled content. Any suggestions or comments as to what I need to do?