UNITED STATE GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL (USGBC) LEED COMMISSIONING SERVICES

The Leadership on Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^TM) Green Building Rating System^TM is a program of the U.S. Green Building Council. It evaluates environmental performance from a "whole building" perspective over a building's life cycle, providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a "green building."

A voluntary, market-driven building rating system, LEED^TM is based on accepted energy and environmental principles. It strikes a balance between known effective practices and emerging concepts.

All new commercial buildings (as defined by standard building codes) are eligible to be considered as a LEED^TM Building. These include offices, retail and service establishments, institutional buildings (schools, libraries, churches, etc), and hotel and residential buildings of four or more stories.

Four categories of LEED^TM certification are available: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. To qualify under one of these four designations, buildings must satisfy all of the prerequisites and earn a certain number of credits. Additionally, the US Green Building Council presents an annual award for the "Green Building of the Year" as well as "Pioneer Award." LEED^TM Prerequisites

All buildings must comply with specific criteria in the following areas: Asbestos, Building Commissioning, Energy Efficiency, Indoor Air Quality, Ozone Depletion/CFCs, Smoking Ban, Storage and Collection of Recyclables, Thermal Comfort, Water Conservation and Water Quality. A total of 36 credits are available in these areas for a building to meet one of the four award classifications: Building Materials, Construction Waste Management, Energy Efficiency, Existing Building Rehabilitation, Landscaping/Exterior Design, Occupant Recycling Equipment, Operation and Maintenance Facilities, Ozone Depletion/CFCs, Siting, Transportation, Water Conservation and Water Quality.