September 23, 2021
Many municipalities and states recognize the social and environmental benefits of green buildings and have set standards and incentives for developers to encourage greener construction of commercial buildings, homes, or neighborhoods. These include requirements for building design plans to meet specified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) requirements. LEED is available for virtually all building types, and provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings.
Dur-A-Flex recognizes the need to be at the forefront in developing products that contribute to sustainability. Dur-A-Flex resinous flooring systems, with few exceptions, will contribute to LEED points. Before we go into those details, let’s get a better understanding of LEED, its history, and impact.
What is LEED?
The LEED Green Building Rating System was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It was established as a method to ensure that new buildings, homes, and renovation projects are taking measures to promote healthier and more sustainable practices. Since its inception in 1998, LEED has become the most widely used green building rating system in the world.
The USGBC estimates that from 2015-2018 alone, LEED-certified buildings provided $1.2 billion in energy savings, $149.5 million in water savings, $715.3 million in maintenance savings, and $54.2 million in waste savings.
What Are LEED Requirements?
A complex process is in place to qualify for USGBC’s LEED certification. There are many levels of standards and guidelines, and detailed documentation to navigate through. The USGBC’s website is an excellent repository of information and tools to assist this process.
Projects can earn credits by providing documentation showing strategies were followed to create a healthy and sustainable building. Examples of this include using low-emitting materials to improve air quality, using long-lasting products to reduce waste, and installing systems that reduce water and energy consumption such as solar lighting and high-efficiency toilets.
There are Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs) to determine if a project can pursue LEED. Program credits allow project teams to customize how they pursue LEED. Projects are broken down into the following rating systems:
- BD+C Building Design and Construction
- ID+C Interior Design and Construction
- O+M Building Operations and Maintenance
- ND Neighborhood Development
- Homes
- Cities and Communities
- LEED Recertification
- LEED Zero
Within each rating system there are categories to earn points toward the project’s overall LEED certification. Points can be earned in the following areas:
- Integrative Process
- Location and Transportation
- Sustainable Sites
- Water Efficiency
- Energy and Atmosphere
- Materials and Resources
- Indoor Environmental Quality
- Innovation
- Regional Priority
Within each category there are numerous subcategories which indicate how many points can be earned. A project must satisfy all prerequisites and earn a minimum number of points to be certified. The points, once added together, determine a project’s certification level: Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.
Does Resinous Flooring Qualify for LEED Credits?
Yes, Dur-A-Flex resinous floors qualify for LEED credits. Under the category of LEED v4 / 4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction.
LEED for Building Design and Construction
LEED for Building Design and Construction (LEED BD+C) gives the framework for new construction and major renovations to maximize the benefits of building sustainable green buildings that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and consider the impact on human health and well-being.
BD+C also includes applications for: Schools, Retail, Hospitality, Data Centers, Warehouses & Distribution Centers and Healthcare.
Under the LEED BD+C rating system there are three eligible credits for resinous flooring:
- Materials and Resources
Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) - Materials and Resources
Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Material Ingredients – Health Product Declaration (HPD) - Indoor Environmental Quality – Low Emitting Materials (CPDH v1.1-2010 / CDPH v1.2-2017)
LEED for Interior Design and Construction
LEED for Interior Design and Construction (LEED ID+C) awards credits to project teams who are developing indoor spaces that are “better for the planet and for people.” LEED ID+C is for new and existing projects, specifically developed for complete interior fit-out projects for commercial interiors.
ID+C also includes applications for Retail and Hospitality.
Under the LEED ID+C rating system there are three eligible credits for resinous flooring:
- Materials and Resources
Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) - Materials and Resources
Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Material Ingredients – Health Product Declaration (HPD) - Indoor Environmental Quality – Low Emitting Materials (CPDH v1.1-2010 / CDPH v1.2-2017)
Which Dur-A-Flex Systems Qualify?
Currently all Dur-A-Flex wall systems and resinous flooring systems with the exception of the ESD systems are classified as low emitting materials and are documented to conform to CDPH Standard Method v1.1-2010 (and v1.2-2017 where applicable.)
All of our Accelera®, Epoxy, Poly-Crete®, and Hybri-Flex® systems have Environmental Product Declarations and Health Product Declarations.
Documentation is readily available in the Architect Center on our website. Both our EPDs and HPDs are prepared by chemistry. All of these documents are all also available in the mindfulMaterials database. If additional information is needed, Dur-A-Flex has designated employees to assist in procuring the appropriate documentation. A simple form submission or email can get the process started.
Author: Jes Grant
Jes Grant is the content development manager for Dur-A-Flex. She has over 15 years of experience creating content for various technical industries, and has been featured in several publications for her writing and design work.