Crissy Tsai
Webcor Builders
Sustainability Coordinator
Schools-2009 SSc7.1: Heat Island Effect—Nonroof
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To reduce heat islands1 to minimize impacts on microclimates and human and wildlife habitats.
Requirements
Option 1
Use any combination of the following strategies for 50% of the site hardscape (including roads, sidewalks, courtyards and parking lots):- Provide shade from the existing tree canopy or within 5 years of landscape installation. Landscaping (trees) must be in place at the time of occupancy.
- Provide shade from structures covered by solar panels that produce energy used to offset some nonrenewable resource use.
- Provide shade from architectural devices or structures that have a solar reflectance index2 (SRI) of at least 29.
- Use hardscape materials with an SRI of at least 29.
- Use an open-grid pavement system (at least 50% pervious).
OR
Option 2
Place a minimum of 50% of parking spaces under cover3. Any roof used to shade or cover parking must have an SRI of at least 29, be a vegetated green roof or be covered by solar panels that produce energy used to offset some nonrenewable resource use.
1 Heat islands are defined as thermal gradient differences between developed and underdeveloped areas.
2 The solar reflectance index (SRI) is a measure of the constructed surface's ability to reflect solar heat, as shown by a small temperature rise. It is defined so that a standardblack surface (reflectance 0.05, emittance 0.90) is 0 and a standard white surface (reflectance 0.80, emittance 0.90) is 100. to calculate the SRI for a given material, obtain the reflectance value and emittance value for the material. SRI is calculated according to ASTM E 1980. Reflectance is measured according to ASTM E 903, ASTM E 1918, or ASTM C 1549. Emittance is measured according to ASTM E408 or ASTM C 1371.
3 For the purposes of this credit, under cover parking is defined as parking underground, under deck, under roof, or under a building.
SITES-LEED Equivalency
This LEED credit (or a component of this credit) has been established as equivalent to a SITES v2 credit or component. For more information on using the equivalency as a substitution in your LEED or SITES project, see this article and guidance document.Frequently asked questions
I have a mix of various hardscape types with different SRI values. Can I apply a weighted average to see if my project complies?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Should I use the SRI value of new or weathered concrete for my project?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
What is hardscape? Is a gravel surface considered hardscape? How about artificial turf? Wood? Tennis courts?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
There is a reflecting pool on our site. What is the SRI of water? Should we include that in our calculations?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Should I consider motorbikes and parking spaces for them under this credit? What about fleet vehicles?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Projects that provide covered parking are eligible for points under this credit, but what if a project provides no parking?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
I do not know the SRI value of my hardscape materials. What can I do?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
How do I find a lab for getting SRI values? What will it cost?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Cost estimates for this credit
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Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
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Documentation toolkit
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LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
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LEEDuser overview
Frank advice from LEED experts
LEED is changing all the time, and every project is unique. Even seasoned professionals can miss a critical detail and lose a credit or even a prerequisite at the last minute. Our expert advice guides our LEEDuser Premium members and saves you valuable time.
For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium
Already a premium member? Log in now
Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To reduce heat islands1 to minimize impacts on microclimates and human and wildlife habitats.
Requirements
Option 1
Use any combination of the following strategies for 50% of the site hardscape (including roads, sidewalks, courtyards and parking lots):- Provide shade from the existing tree canopy or within 5 years of landscape installation. Landscaping (trees) must be in place at the time of occupancy.
- Provide shade from structures covered by solar panels that produce energy used to offset some nonrenewable resource use.
- Provide shade from architectural devices or structures that have a solar reflectance index2 (SRI) of at least 29.
- Use hardscape materials with an SRI of at least 29.
- Use an open-grid pavement system (at least 50% pervious).
OR
Option 2
Place a minimum of 50% of parking spaces under cover3. Any roof used to shade or cover parking must have an SRI of at least 29, be a vegetated green roof or be covered by solar panels that produce energy used to offset some nonrenewable resource use.
1 Heat islands are defined as thermal gradient differences between developed and underdeveloped areas.
2 The solar reflectance index (SRI) is a measure of the constructed surface's ability to reflect solar heat, as shown by a small temperature rise. It is defined so that a standardblack surface (reflectance 0.05, emittance 0.90) is 0 and a standard white surface (reflectance 0.80, emittance 0.90) is 100. to calculate the SRI for a given material, obtain the reflectance value and emittance value for the material. SRI is calculated according to ASTM E 1980. Reflectance is measured according to ASTM E 903, ASTM E 1918, or ASTM C 1549. Emittance is measured according to ASTM E408 or ASTM C 1371.
3 For the purposes of this credit, under cover parking is defined as parking underground, under deck, under roof, or under a building.
SITES-LEED Equivalency
This LEED credit (or a component of this credit) has been established as equivalent to a SITES v2 credit or component. For more information on using the equivalency as a substitution in your LEED or SITES project, see this article and guidance document.Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium
Already a premium member? Log in now
Frequently asked questions
I have a mix of various hardscape types with different SRI values. Can I apply a weighted average to see if my project complies?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Should I use the SRI value of new or weathered concrete for my project?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
What is hardscape? Is a gravel surface considered hardscape? How about artificial turf? Wood? Tennis courts?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
There is a reflecting pool on our site. What is the SRI of water? Should we include that in our calculations?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Should I consider motorbikes and parking spaces for them under this credit? What about fleet vehicles?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Projects that provide covered parking are eligible for points under this credit, but what if a project provides no parking?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
I do not know the SRI value of my hardscape materials. What can I do?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
How do I find a lab for getting SRI values? What will it cost?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Guest expert
Crissy Tsai
Webcor Builders
Sustainability Coordinator