LEED Credit Interpretation Rulings

LEED Credit Interpretation Rulings

Note: All Credit Interpretation Rulings on the USGBC database can only be applied to projects that were registered pre-2009. Projects post June 2009 will now use project-specific CIR’s. The CIR database will eventually be phased out, and a CIR for one project will only be granted for that project per the new LEED v3.0. However, the information below is still helpful on a site-specific level.

What is a CIR?

CIRs are important to the certification process; another integral part of required knowledge for the exam. They are basically RFI’s (request for information) submitted to the USGBC to see if an alternative application of a credit can apply. These are important for a project well into the design phase that is looking to fulfill a credit in a way that is not specifically detailed in the LEED Reference Manual.

The USGBC keeps a log of all previous rulings on the website, and these are available for viewing by members only. The importance of having this log is to prevent repeat requests, and to save time on the behalf of the project team, as rulings can take up to several months for a response. Unfortunately, looking through the thousands of responses from over the years is not an easy feat; usually a LEED consultant can help with this.

Remember:

The LEED AP Exam? is tricky, so it is important to understand that this CIR process does not award a credit; it only rules whether the alternative idea is eligible. The project team still needs to provide supporting documentation (this can include the credit interpretation ruling straight off the website) in the submittal format to receive credit.

For example, the Sustainable Sites section, credit 4.1 relates to alternative transportation, giving credit for nearby bus routes and commuter rails within a specific walking distance from the site. Let’s say your project is being built in the mountains. Though there are roads leading to the project, a gondola will also provide access to the area. If you are not sure if this qualifies, you would follow these steps:

1. Check the existing CIR online database to see if the USGBC has ever ruled in favor of this idea in the past.
2. If there is no past correspondence relating to this idea, then submit your CIR to the USGBC. Beware there are no guaranteed timelines for a response. So your project could potentially be put on hold if this is a major decision-making question.
3. Once the USGBC responds, if it is in your favor and the response is that, yes, this could be applied towards SSc4.1, then you are still required to include a submittal with the CIR attached for this credit during the submittal process.

A positive response is not a guarantee that the credit will be approved in the submittal process, so it’s important to have backup credits. Always have backups. If you can’t get backup credits for your project, then there is a good chance that your final Certification Rating may be out of reach.