LEED v5
Core and Shell
Sustainable Sites
Heat Island Reduction

CS-v5 SSc5: Heat Island Reduction 2 points

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Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intent

To mitigate disparate impacts on microclimates and habitats caused by heat islands and extreme heat events.

Requirements

Choose one of the following options:

Option 1. Nonroof and Roof (1 point)
Meet the following criteria for the nonroof and roof weighted average approach:

Equation 1. Weighted nonroof and roof calculation

Equation to determine compliance with reflective or vegetated surface area requirements: (Area of nonroof measures divided by 0.5) plus (Area of high-reflectance roof divided by 0.75) plus (Area of vegetated roof divided by 0.75) must be greater than or equal to the total site paved area plus the total roof area.

Use any combination of nonroof, high-reflectance roof, and vegetative roof strategies so that the weighted sum of site design strategies is greater than or equal to the sum of the total pavement and roof areas. Each surface may only be counted once, even if it is addressed through multiple strategies.

Nonroof measures

  • Shade over pavement areas, measured in plain view at noon, with existing or new plants, assuming 10-year canopy width, or vegetated structures. Planting or vegetated structures must be in place at the time of occupancy permit. 
  • Structures covered by energy generation systems, such as solar thermal collectors, photovoltaics (PVs), and wind turbines.
  • Architectural devices or structures. If the device or structure is a roof, it shall have an aged SR value of at least 0.28 as measured in accordance with ANSI/CRRC S100. If the device or structure is not a roof, or if aged SR information is not available, at installation it must have an initial SR of at least 0.33 as measured in accordance with ANSI/CRRC S100.
  • Paving materials with an initial SR value of at least 0.33. 
  • An open-grid pavement system (at least 50% unbound).

High-reflectance roof
Use roofing materials that have an aged solar reflectance index (SRI) value equal to or greater than the values in Table 1. If aged SRI is not available, the roofing material shall have an initial SRI equal to or greater than the values in Table 1.

Table 1. Minimum SRI Value, By Roof Slope

 

Slope

Initial SRI

Aged SRI

Low-sloped roof

≤ 2:12

82

64

Steep-sloped roof

> 2:12

39

32

A roof area that consists of functional, usable spaces (e.g., helipads, recreation courts, swimming pools, and similar amenity areas) may meet the requirements of nonroof measures. Applicable roof area excludes roof area covered by mechanical equipment, solar energy panels, skylights, and any other appurtenances.

Vegetated roof

Install a vegetated roof using native or adapted plant species.

AND/OR

Option 2. Parking Under Cover (1 point)
Place 100% of parking spaces under cover. Any roof used to shade or cover parking must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Have an aged SRI of at least 32. If aged value information is not available, use materials with an initial SRI of at least 39 at installation. 
  • Be a vegetated roof.
  • Be covered by energy generation systems, such as solar thermal collectors, photovoltaics, and wind turbines.

The credit calculations must include all existing and new off-street parking spaces that are subsidized, leased, or owned by the project, including parking that is outside the project boundary but is used by the project. On-street parking in public rights-of-way is excluded from these calculations.

AND/OR

Option 3. Tree Equity (1 point)
For all U.S. projects only, evaluate the American Forests Tree Equity score for the site location. For projects in areas ranked “high priority” and “highest priority,” use the results of the evaluation to inform an increase in on-site canopy cover from the existing condition.

For international projects and U.S. projects without a Tree Equity Score, refer to IPp2: Human Impact Assessment and evaluate the tree cover on site and in the surrounding community, either by using a local tree census or conducting a site assessment. Analyze the project’s local community composition to identify any neighboring underserved and/or disadvantaged populations with lower tree canopy presence. Use the results of the evaluation to inform an increase in on-site canopy cover from the existing condition to provide shade to neighboring underserved and/or disadvantaged areas. 

 
 
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Addenda

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Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intent

To mitigate disparate impacts on microclimates and habitats caused by heat islands and extreme heat events.

Requirements

Choose one of the following options:

Option 1. Nonroof and Roof (1 point)
Meet the following criteria for the nonroof and roof weighted average approach:

Equation 1. Weighted nonroof and roof calculation

Equation to determine compliance with reflective or vegetated surface area requirements: (Area of nonroof measures divided by 0.5) plus (Area of high-reflectance roof divided by 0.75) plus (Area of vegetated roof divided by 0.75) must be greater than or equal to the total site paved area plus the total roof area.

Use any combination of nonroof, high-reflectance roof, and vegetative roof strategies so that the weighted sum of site design strategies is greater than or equal to the sum of the total pavement and roof areas. Each surface may only be counted once, even if it is addressed through multiple strategies.

Nonroof measures

  • Shade over pavement areas, measured in plain view at noon, with existing or new plants, assuming 10-year canopy width, or vegetated structures. Planting or vegetated structures must be in place at the time of occupancy permit. 
  • Structures covered by energy generation systems, such as solar thermal collectors, photovoltaics (PVs), and wind turbines.
  • Architectural devices or structures. If the device or structure is a roof, it shall have an aged SR value of at least 0.28 as measured in accordance with ANSI/CRRC S100. If the device or structure is not a roof, or if aged SR information is not available, at installation it must have an initial SR of at least 0.33 as measured in accordance with ANSI/CRRC S100.
  • Paving materials with an initial SR value of at least 0.33. 
  • An open-grid pavement system (at least 50% unbound).

High-reflectance roof
Use roofing materials that have an aged solar reflectance index (SRI) value equal to or greater than the values in Table 1. If aged SRI is not available, the roofing material shall have an initial SRI equal to or greater than the values in Table 1.

Table 1. Minimum SRI Value, By Roof Slope

 

Slope

Initial SRI

Aged SRI

Low-sloped roof

≤ 2:12

82

64

Steep-sloped roof

> 2:12

39

32

A roof area that consists of functional, usable spaces (e.g., helipads, recreation courts, swimming pools, and similar amenity areas) may meet the requirements of nonroof measures. Applicable roof area excludes roof area covered by mechanical equipment, solar energy panels, skylights, and any other appurtenances.

Vegetated roof

Install a vegetated roof using native or adapted plant species.

AND/OR

Option 2. Parking Under Cover (1 point)
Place 100% of parking spaces under cover. Any roof used to shade or cover parking must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • Have an aged SRI of at least 32. If aged value information is not available, use materials with an initial SRI of at least 39 at installation. 
  • Be a vegetated roof.
  • Be covered by energy generation systems, such as solar thermal collectors, photovoltaics, and wind turbines.

The credit calculations must include all existing and new off-street parking spaces that are subsidized, leased, or owned by the project, including parking that is outside the project boundary but is used by the project. On-street parking in public rights-of-way is excluded from these calculations.

AND/OR

Option 3. Tree Equity (1 point)
For all U.S. projects only, evaluate the American Forests Tree Equity score for the site location. For projects in areas ranked “high priority” and “highest priority,” use the results of the evaluation to inform an increase in on-site canopy cover from the existing condition.

For international projects and U.S. projects without a Tree Equity Score, refer to IPp2: Human Impact Assessment and evaluate the tree cover on site and in the surrounding community, either by using a local tree census or conducting a site assessment. Analyze the project’s local community composition to identify any neighboring underserved and/or disadvantaged populations with lower tree canopy presence. Use the results of the evaluation to inform an increase in on-site canopy cover from the existing condition to provide shade to neighboring underserved and/or disadvantaged areas. 

 
 
See all forum discussions about this credit »