COVID-19 Recovery & Return to Work Resources

Q: Can I pay my LEED project’s certification fees by electronic bank transfer?
A. Yes, please contact LEED Coach Canada and we’ll provide instructions for setting up your company to make payments by electronic bank transfer rather than by cheque.

Q: We can’t provide our review resubmittal on time due to COVID-19. Can we get an extension?
A. Contact LEED Coach Canada, sharing your project number and circumstance, and we will be glad to help.

Q: We can’t submit our LEED O+M project for review on time due to COVID-19. Can we get an extension?
A: There are many options for LEED O+M project teams who are unable to complete activities and actions on-time due to COVID-19. The latest allowances, which include using a reporting period that pre-dates any occupancy reductions due to COVID-19, ensure that there is a certification path for all O+M projects. Details about the options available can be found under “Additional Guidance for LEED v4.1 O+M and Recertification Projects”. Projects may also request an extension. If you have any questions about the certification allowances, contact LEED Coach Canada.

Q: I have updated my cleaning strategies in response to COVID-19. Will this impact my certification?
A: Every project should feel confident in taking measures to provide a safe and healthy environment. In the event that the project team is required to purchase products that do not meet the criteria of EQc Green Cleaning due to current concerns about COVID-19, please contact LEED Coach Canada with a narrative explaining the circumstances.

Q: Can you clarify the differences in disinfection protocols for EQc Green Cleaning and the Safety First Pilot Credit: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Space?
A. One of the key elements of any workplace re-entry plan is disinfection protocols. There is a difference in disinfection protocols between these two credits For the EQc Green Cleaning credit, use products that are UL 2794 certified. For the pilot credit, use any product that is approved by Health Canada as effective against COVID-19 and uses active ingredients from the EPA’s Design for the Environment program.

Quick links:

• Guidance for LEED O+M certification and recertification projects affected by COVID-19 (EXTENDED TO DECEMBER 31, 2021)
• Step-by-step instructions for Arc data entry: LEED v4.1 O+M Certification and Recertification COVID-19 Submittal Guidance Document
• Watch highlights of the interactive webinar: “New COVID guidance for your LEED O+M Project”
• Safety First Pilot Credits

Q: How do I navigate LEED Online and Arc when submitting a LEED v4.1 O+M project pursuing COVID pathway Option 2 as outlined below?
A: For project teams pursuing the alternative pathways, step-by-step instructions for data entry processes are outlined in the LEED v4.1 O+M Certification and Recertification COVID-19 Submittal Guidance Document. Watch the highlights of our interactive webinar “New COVID guidance for your LEED O+M Project”.

Q: I am concerned that the change in occupancy for my building will impact performance reporting for my LEED O+M project. What should I do?
A: We understand that significantly reduced (or increased) occupancy will impact building data and scores. The guidance below should enable you to find a path forward for your project. Be sure to watch the highlights of our interactive webinar “New COVID guidance for your LEED O+M Project”.

This guidance is for projects pursuing LEED O+M initial certification or recertification and impacted by COVID-19. In general, there are two pathways forward for project teams.

• Option 1. Use pre-COVID-19 performance data (LEED O+M v4.1 initial or recertification in either LEED Online or the Arc platform and LEED O+M v4 recertification in the Arc platform)
• Option 2. Implement outlined pathways which account for reduced occupancy during COVID-19 (LEED v4.1 initial or recertification only)

This guidance is applicable to LEED O+M projects submitting prior to December 31, 2021. In case any of this guidance does not work for a specific project need, please contact LEED Coach Canada.

To utilize these pathways, select the setting “Impacted by COVID-19” in project settings under meters and surveys > settings > more settings if not already selected.

1. Energy Performance

Projects have two options to report energy performance. Project teams may use performance data from a 1-year time period (“reporting period”) beginning any time after January 1, 2018.

• Option 1. Select a reporting period prior to experiencing occupancy reductions due to COVID-19. The reporting period should be aligned for all categories.
• Option 2. Use a 1-year time period (reporting period) and if applicable use time-weighted occupancy. The reporting period is aligned for energy performance and water performance.

The system will calculate time-weighted occupancy based on the occupancy values provided. Timeweighted occupancy values are calculated as follows.

Example:
Reporting Period: June 1, 2019 through May 31, 2020
June 1, 2019 through February 29, 2020: 600 occupants (274 days of the reporting period)
March 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020: 10 occupants (92 days of the reporting period)
Calculation: ((600*274) + (10*92))/(274+92) = 452 occupants

2. Water Performance

Projects have two options to report water performance. Project teams may use performance data from a 1-year time period (“reporting period”) beginning any time after January 1, 2018.

• Option 1. Select a reporting period prior to experiencing occupancy reductions due to COVID-19. The reporting period should be aligned for all categories.
• Option 2. Use a 1-year time period (reporting period) and if applicable use time-weighted occupancy. The reporting period is aligned for energy performance and water performance.

The system will calculate time-weighted occupancy based on the occupancy values provided. Timeweighted occupancy values are calculated as follows.

Example:
Reporting Period: June 1, 2019 through May 31, 2020
June 1, 2019 through February 29, 2020: 600 occupants (274 days of the reporting period)
March 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020: 10 occupants (92 days of the reporting period)
Calculation: ((600*274) + (10*92))/(274+92) = 452 occupants

3. Waste Performance

Projects have two options to report on waste performance. Project teams may use performance data from a 1-year time period (“reporting period”) beginning any time after January 1, 2018

• Option 1. Select a reporting period prior to experiencing occupancy reductions due to COVID-19. The reporting period should be aligned for all categories.
• Option 2.Conduct a waste audit during COVID-19 conditions. The date for this action should be within 2 years of the reporting period established for energy and water performance. Enter waste audit results and occupancy at the time of the waste audit, and the system will calculate the waste performance score based on actual occupancy at the time of the audit.

4. Transportation Performance

Projects have two options to report on transportation performance. Project teams may use performance data from a 1-year time period (“reporting period”) beginning any time after January 1, 2018.

• Option 1. Select a reporting period prior to experiencing occupancy reductions due to COVID-19. The reporting period should be aligned for all categories.
• Option 2. Conduct the survey during COVID-19 conditions. The date for this action should be within 2 years of the reporting period established for energy and water performance. Account for full-time occupant transportation behavior experienced through one or a combination of the following:
  • Survey onsite occupants to reflect transportation behavior to the building
  • Use the additional information field in Arc to attest to the number of regular occupants that are teleworking instead of coming to the project

Option 2 is available for all projects (unoccupied buildings as well as buildings with partial or full, occupancy). The minimum required response rate is based upon the occupancy at the building on the day the survey was conducted.

To enter survey data for surveys conducted outside of LEED Online or Arc, contact LEED Coach Canada.

5. Indoor Environmental Quality Performance

Projects have a few options to report on indoor environmental quality performance.

5.1 Occupant satisfaction survey

Projects have two options to conduct occupant satisfaction survey. Project teams may use performance data from a 1-year time period (“reporting period”) beginning any time after January 1, 2018.

• Option 1. Select a reporting period prior to experiencing occupancy reductions due to COVID-19. The reporting period should be aligned for all categories.
• Option 2. For buildings with partial or full occupancy, conduct the survey with the on-site occupants ONLY to reflect their satisfaction with the building environment during COVID-19. The date for this action should be within 2 years of the reporting period established for energy and water performance. The minimum required response rate is based upon the occupancy at the building on the day the survey was conducted.

To enter survey data for surveys conducted outside of LEED Online or Arc, contact LEED Coach Canada

5.2 Indoor air quality evaluation (for CO2 Score and TVOC Score)

Projects have two options to conduct indoor air quality evaluation. Project teams may use performance data from a 1-year time period (“reporting period”) beginning any time after January 1, 2018.

• Option 1. Select a reporting period prior to experiencing occupancy reductions due to COVID-19. The reporting period should be aligned for all categories.
• Option 2a. Indoor air quality testing may be conducted during partially occupied conditions. Test in the occupied areas that are most representative of the entire project. It is acceptable to perform testing in spaces that are operating with lower occupancy to accommodate physical distancing. The date for this action should be within 2 years of the reporting period established for energy and water performance.
• Option 2b. For buildings that are unoccupied, TVOC measurements may be conducted in areas of the building representative of spaces occupied prior to COVID-19 that are operating at close to typical ventilation conditions. CO2 measurements taken in unoccupied buildings may not be used to calculate the CO2 score. The date for this action should be within 2 years of the reporting period established for energy and water performance.

For any further questions or guidance please contact LEED Coach Canada.

Download the guidance document.

Q: How do I calculate a time-weighted average based on occupancy throughout a reporting period for my LEED v4.1 O+M project?

A: Select the setting “Impacted by COVID-19” in project settings under meters and surveys > settings > more settings if not already selected. The system will calculate time-weighted occupancy based on the occupancy values provided. Timeweighted occupancy values are calculated as follows.

Update the building’s occupancy to reflect occupancy changes throughout the 365-day reporting period. The time-weighted occupancy option will smooth over short-term disruptions and reflect annual average occupancy.

Example:

Reporting Period: June 1, 2019 through May 31, 2020
June 1, 2019 through February 29, 2020: 600 occupants (274 days of the reporting period)
March 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020: 10 occupants (92 days of the reporting period)
Calculation: ((600*274) + (10*92))/(274+92) = 452 occupants

Q: My project is completing annual reporting and will be submitting for certification after June 30, 2021. What is the minimum requirement for maintaining annual reporting in Arc?

A: The minimum requirement for completing annual reporting is to maintain energy and water data in Arc. Surveys and audits should be completed as much as possible; however, where it was not feasible to complete surveys, audits or testing due to COVID-19, project teams may submit a narrative explaining why data is incomplete.

Q: Our LEED Canada project’s construction site has been shut down by provincial order due to COVID-19. We are concerned we will not be able to complete construction and submit on time to meet the LEED Canada sunset deadline of October 31, 2022. Can we get an extension?
A. At this time, it is unknown how long the site closures will be in effect. Once construction restarts, contact LEED Coach Canada if you still have concerns your project will be unable to meet the submittal deadline; please share your project number and the circumstances your project has faced.

Q: My construction waste recycling facility is closed or is not recycling materials at the same rate as before due to COVID-19. I am not able to store materials to wait for better recycling conditions. What can I do?
A: We encourage all projects to continue to divert materials and recycle to the greatest extent possible. Those materials that are able to be recycled and diverted shall be documented in the normal way as outlined in the Materials and Resources Construction and Demolition Waste Management credit. However, we realize that circumstances may make recycling challenging for reasons outside a project team’s control during the global pandemic.

Projects experiencing difficulty during this time shall continue to send materials to recycling facilities and either: (a) temporarily exclude the affected loads from credit calculations (still track the materials, even though they will not count toward overall project generation and diversion rates), or (b) use the waste processing facility’s average diversion rate reported prior to the pandemic. Diversion rates must be the facility average for at least the six months prior to the pandemic.

Contact LEED Coach Canada with a narrative explaining the circumstances, as well as your preferred approach, and our LEED reviewers will help you understand how to document the approach in your LEED certification.

New LEED pilot credits outline sustainable best practices that align with public health and industry guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting, workplace re-occupancy, HVAC and plumbing operations. The credits can be used by LEED projects that are registered or are undergoing certification. Where the pilot credits are available to BD+C or ID+C projects, teams must demonstrate they were able to fully implement the requirements. For example, where a BD+C or ID+C project has completed construction and fit-out and the space is occupiable so that all measures in the pilot credits can be implemented, the pilot credits are available to the project. The credits are based on current, known information and will be refined over time – please share your feedback.

• The Safety First: Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Space credit requires facilities to create a policy and implement procedures that follow green cleaning best practices that support a healthy indoor environment and worker safety. Although vaccines and medical treatments are still in development for treating COVID-19, effective disinfecting products and processes already exist. In addition to product considerations, the credit also requires procedures and training for cleaning personnel, occupant education and other services that are within the management team’s control. This credit is available for BD+C, ID+C and O+M under LEED 2009, LEED v4 and LEED v4.1.


• The Safety First: Re-enter Your Workspace credit is a tool to assess and plan for re-entry as well as to measure progress once the space is occupied. It identifies sustainable requirements in building operations and human behavior that provide precautions against the spread of COVID-19. The credit aligns with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Re-occupancy Assessment Tool and requires transparent reporting and evaluation of decisions to encourage continuous improvement. This credit is available for BD+C, ID+C and O+M under LEED 2009, LEED v4 and LEED v4.1.


• The Safety First: Building Water System Recommissioning credit helps building teams reduce the risk that occupants are exposed to degraded water quality. Building and business closures over weeks or months reduce water usage, which can potentially lead to stagnant water or water that is unsafe to drink or use. The credit integrates recommendations from industry organizations and experts, including the U.S. EPA and the Centers for Disease Control. It requires buildings to develop and implement a water management plan, coordinate with local water and public health authorities, communicate water system activities and associated risks to building occupants, and take steps to address water quality from the community supply, as well as the building. This credit is available for BD+C and O+M under LEED 2009, LEED v4 and LEED v4.1.


• The Safety First: Managing Indoor Air Quality During COVID-19 credit builds on existing indoor air quality requirements and credits in LEED. Building teams should ensure indoor air quality systems are operating as designed and determine temporary adjustments to ventilation that may minimize the spread of COVID-19 through the air. Additional considerations include increasing ventilation and air filtration, physical distancing of occupants, and following measures outlined in public health and industry resources. The guidance also encourages monitoring and evaluation of indoor air quality on an ongoing basis. CaGBC reminds teams they must apply sound judgement to determine the most appropriate recommendations for the specific building, location, and season. Teams should also ensure appropriate subject matter expertise is sought. For example, the determination of appropriate humidity levels would benefit from the expertise of a building envelope specialist. This credit is available for O+M projects under LEED 2009, LEED v4 and LEED v4.1.


• The Safety First: Arc Re-Entry credit is a tool to track and document the facility’s infection control processes to manage the risk of infectious disease transmission of COVID-19. The Arc Re-Entry tool helps project teams use an integrated process to align infection control policies and procedures with guidance from relevant public health authorities, collect and manage occupant feedback, and measure indoor air quality. The tool generates an Arc Re-Entry Report and a comprehensive score, while also establishing a process for continuous improvement and ongoing data maintenance. Project teams that register for the Arc Re-Entry Pilot Credit will receive 1 free 30-day trial subscription to Arc Essentials. This credit is available for LEED v4 O+M and LEED v4.1 O+M projects.


• The Safety First: Design for Indoor Air Quality and Infection Control credit promotes consideration of the prevention of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the air and/or other airborne diseases during the HVAC system design. Specific attention is given to ventilation and filtration. This credit is available for LEED 2009, LEED v4 and LEED v4.1.


• The Safety First: Maintenance of HVAC Systems During COVID-19 credit was designed to maintain the well-being of occupants by addressing indoor air quality issues that may influence the spread of the coronavirus. This credit supports the ongoing inspection and maintenance of commercial HVAC systems based on guidance in ASHRAE Standard 180 or Table 8.2 of ASHRAE 62.1-2016 or equivalent. Guidance also addresses providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for building operators and maintenance technicians as appropriate.

Facility managers can use the Arc Re-Entry tool to add data and generate a Comprehensiveness Score (“Comp Score”) for their building or portfolio. The Comp Score provides a comparable measure of the breadth and documentation of facility management policies, occupant experience and measured indoor air quality. Additional information about the Arc Re-Entry tool and the Comp Score can be found in the Guide to Arc Re-Entry.

The Arc Re-Entry tools can be used:

• To document and benchmark infection-control policies and procedures
• To collect and analyze related occupant experiences
• To measure and track indoor air quality
• To achieve the LEED Safety First: Arc Re-Entry pilot credit
• As a stepping stone for theLEED Safety First pilot credits and WELL Health-Safety rating

LEED professional credentials provide a strong foundation in sustainability practices useful for all green building projects. There are three tiers of LEED Credentials: LEED Green Associate, LEED AP with specialty and LEED Fellow.

LEED credentials are earned by passing the LEED credentialing exams, administered by the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI Inc.). Exam registrations are submitted through the USGBC website.

In light of the pandemic, LEED Green Associate and LEED AP with specialty exams are now available online. Due to the fluid nature COVID-19 within Canada, the procedures for those taking exam continues to evolve. We recommend you periodically visit the Prometric website for regular updates.

Learn more about booking your exam here.

Visit our FAQs for LEED Credentials.