Comments on: Sustainable Sites 7.1 – Heat Island Effect – Non Roof

By: Ian Laughlin

Ian Laughlin — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 21:00:18 +0000

Good call on changing my approach to using the pervious characteristics of the crushed granite. I was too hung up on finding the SRI.

Thanks everyone

By: Jobe Bernier

Jobe Bernier — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:50:17 +0000

I just had one pass V2.2 review with decomposed (crushed) granite. For SRI, I used a close approximate from the aggregate section of the ebook Heat islands: understanding and mitigating heat in urban areas (found free on Google books). The submitted aggregate was actually a bit darker than ours, so we were erred on the side of being conservative. I also submitted a site photo of the actual decomposed granite installed.

You should double check the ‘pervious’ requirements of your version of LEED as decomposed granite may be considered to be more than 50% pervious and may have special exemptions which ease your efforts. This approach may be even easier.

Good luck.

By: Jon Brooke

Jon Brooke — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:30:11 +0000

Ian

The SRI of your granite would depend on a lot of unique factors, the specific color of granite, the gradation etc. Unless the granite supplier has documented testing (rather unlikely) the only reliable method of getting SRI values would be to obtain samples and have them lab or field tested, or make this a contractor submittal requirement. The same would apply to any special concrete mixes–concrete is very local in terms of color. I believe we have had lab tests done for around $500 per sample. Field testing might be more cost-effective as you could test a bunch of materials at the same time.

The SS7.1 credit can be deferred until the LEED construction submittal phase so that testing can be included in the documentation.

Also use the “weighted average” method described in the CIR’s. This allows large areas of light colored concrete to offset “darker” materials. We have found it is worth testing even the concrete as it can often be much higher than 29.

By: Ian

Ian — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:16:18 +0000

Did anyone come up with any info for the SRI of Crushed Granite? We did a parking lot out of it and the USGBC wants info in regards to the SRI.

By: Brent

Brent — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:06:39 +0000

Does anyone know if a Photovoltaic Shade Structure Meets the requirements for cover under Option 2? On credit 7.2 PV is basically expmpted along with equipment but for non-roof I don’t know if LEED would accept this in lieu of SRI 29.

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:47:37 +0000

Valeria, Azoz and Jobe

Our company had test performed on a number of exposed aggregate concrete samples with different aggregates so we could decide which aggregates were appropriate. We had samples made and sent to a lab for an ASTM C 1549 report. YOu could do the same for decomposed granite. Whatever the result you would want the contractor to do the same test to make sure the material performs as specified. This is something you would want written into the spec.

BTW does anyone know if “standard” cast in place concrete needs to have an SRI test performed or is reference to the 7.1 table sufficient? There are a lot of variations in concrete color an texture.

By: Malti

Malti — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:37:02 +0000

if we take option of using open grid pavement for SS 7.1 of 95% of parking area then there posiibility to get innovation credit for the same.

By: Valeria

Valeria — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 08:17:20 +0000

Hello Azoz and Jobe,
I am a landscape designer and am LEED AP (2007) so my information may have changed, but as far as submitting documentation on any materials to the USGBC, you should collect any verification for any credit.The reason is in the audit, they will choose which credits to ask the required paperwork. In other words, you need to collect all the paperwork as if they would have you submit it all, they choose which ones you need to actually submit.
It is always handy to take a look at the templates on the website as well.

The hardscape issue,Jobe, I haven’t found a gravel company that has tested the SRI value, you might.. but roofing materials are, I might guess those materials matching the colors of the roof would have a similar SRI.

I would be interested if someone does know differently and found a company who has tested decomposed granite for reflectance.

By: Azoz

Azoz — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:34:56 +0000

of course for USGBC

By: Azoz

Azoz — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:33:36 +0000

does any one know if I had to submit documents from the manufacter or lab to prove the SRI value?

By: Jobe

Jobe — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:55:05 +0000

Can anyone recommend reliable links listing SRI values for a variety of hard landscape surfaces? I am looking for deteriorated granite and varying gravels. -THX

By: sree

sree — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:25:40 +0000

Another thing, shading percentage is not really base on site area (50% of site area requirement). If you look at the credit template it is actually 50% of “site hardscape area”, big difference.

By: sree

sree — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:00:05 +0000

I am really confused with LEED mumbo jumbo. Sometimes you get “extra credit” for going the extra step (example: 100% shading in SS c7.1), other times you get “exemplary performance” point for doing similar thing (example SS c7.2) and in other cases you get ID credit for doing the same thing. There seems to be no freaking rhyme or reason. My fifth grader can come up with a more logical system.

By: Lule

Lule — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 15:18:53 +0000

High emmissivity= high SRI which is the intent of the credit
Is right, it is on Approach and Implementation on page 99 of credit 7.2
thanks

By: Lule

Lule — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:06:49 +0000

somebody can answer jessie on the green roof issue, I do not understand that either.
thanks

By: Lule

Lule — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:04:28 +0000

“provide paving material with SRI 29 or higher” in option 2 refers to the roof of the parking, they are not talking about the floor.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 23 May 2009 16:33:41 +0000

Does anyone have a good definition of emissivity vs. albedo vs. reflectance so that any idiot (i.e., me) can understand? Thanks in advance.

I’m taking the test on Thursday.

By: Yonata

Yonata — Sat, 02 May 2009 10:49:30 +0000

Here in the middle east all products come with UV value not SRI. Does anyone know how to convert UV to SRI?

By: Jessie

Jessie — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:58:40 +0000

If you want to reduce the heat island effect- and you do so by eliminating hardscape altogether and replacing it with fully permeable landscape rather than semi-permeable paving- do you lose the chance of obtaining this credit?

By: Tasmanian devil

Tasmanian devil — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:38:36 +0000

I am trying to understand what is a open grid pavement

By: Nick G.

Nick G. — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:10:30 +0000

Amy

you are correct.

By: Amy

Amy — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 22:11:23 +0000

This may be a silly question but:

If you place 50% of your parking under your building, does that mean that your roof needs to be and SIR of 29 for Option 2.

~Amy

By: Sue

Sue — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 16:01:47 +0000

Parker,
High emmissivity= high SRI which is the intent of the credit

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:11:33 +0000

How is the contractor the responsible party for credit SS 7.1: Heat Island Effect, Non Roof?

By: parker

parker — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 23:26:56 +0000

pretest exam question

Which methods will not reduce the heat island effect for SS Credit 7.1?

A
Planting small shrubs
B
High emissivity, high reflectance materials
C
Shading
D
Open grid paving

Answer is A. I understand why small shrubs do not qualify because that is clearly stated in the REF guide, my question is why B isn’t wrong too.

Isnt High emissivity (value closer to 1) what we want to avoid? I thought it was low emissivity and a high reflectance that creates high(er) albedo surfaces.

Granted most surfaces are in the .9 range but you do have some with less like aluminum.

By: Jessie

Jessie — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:27:36 +0000

Question on Technologies
On the gray 7.1 page with requirements and stretegies they mention vegetated roofs as a strategy for this credit. How can this be, if this is the NON-roof section. Does this credit count as one that should take green roofs into account?

By: Jessie

Jessie — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 15:41:25 +0000

Question on parking. If you reduce the parking by stacking it, do you count the footprint of the parking that is covered by other parking? ie- 50% is covered since it is under parking- on the other hand, the other 50% which is not covered could be a large portion of the site area, leaving a big heat island. And then if you cover the parking deck which is on top, does that portion of the site area count twice?

By: jdt

jdt — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 07:06:54 +0000

Hi Sara,
I think you are right about combining those three to make 50% of hardscape. Same for the exemplary performance. The combination is to be 100% of the hardscape.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:19:06 +0000

But if you look in the Reference Guide, it is completed in the design phase. Of course none of the credits are granted until after construction.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:13:31 +0000

You need to look at it from GBC’s perspective. Something can be changed during construction to deny the credit. It doesn’t make that much sense since you can do all the WE credits in design, but that is the way they wrote it.

By: guadalupe

guadalupe — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:58:50 +0000

Sustainable Sites 7.1 – Heat Island Effect – Non Roof
should Submittal phase for this credit be design phase instead of construction? since the decisions for placing parking under cover should be made during design phase.

By: sara

sara — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 02:52:02 +0000

According to the reference guide, shading within five years, SRI 29+ paving materials, and open grid pavement can all be combined to handle 50% of the hardscape area – not 50% of the site area. Which makes more sense, if you think about it.

By: giovanni

giovanni — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:22:00 +0000

Pat,
Option 1 should read like this:
provide the following for 50% of the site hardscape:
Shade within 5 years
Paving materials having SRI values more than 29
Open grid pavement system at least 50% open
Q=S+P+O. Q is the qualifyng area
Q> T/2 (50%) with T being the sum of all non roof hardscape surfaces.
I think you are saying to provide shade only for 50% of the hardscape area.
Thanks

By: Valeria

Valeria — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:04:27 +0000

yes, that is the rule as written in this credit.

We were discussing the wisdom of the credit, not how the credit is written..
some question the rules, I see it as a beneficial ‘reality check’ type discussion.
Some think, I am sure, what for?

By: Shane

Shane — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:07:26 +0000

Note: This credit is intended to shade hardscapes not the roof or portion of the building.

Also under option 1. All of the options have to be 50% or a combination of the 3 for a total of 50% of the site area.