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.
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. Projects impacted by COVID-19 have two primary options at this time.
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 June 30, 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.
Calculate and enter time-weighted occupancy to reflect changes during COVID-19 as per the example below.
Example:
Reporting Period: June 1, 2019 through May 31, 2020
June 1, 2019 through February 28, 2020: 600 occupants (75% of the reporting period)
March 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020: 10 occupants (25% of the reporting period)
Calculation: (600*0.75) + (10*.25) = 453 occupants
Enter 453 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.
Calculate and enter time-weighted occupancy to reflect changes during COVID-19 as per the example below.
Example:
Reporting Period: June 1, 2019 through May 31, 2020
June 1, 2019 through February 28, 2020: 600 occupants (75% of the reporting period)
March 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020: 10 occupants (25% of the reporting period)
Calculation: (600*0.75) + (10*.25) = 453 occupants
Enter 453 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. Available after October 15, 2020. 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 2a. Available on October 15, 2020. 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).
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. Available after October 15, 2020. 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.
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. Available after October 15, 2020. 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 number of occupants for each timeframe in the calculation should represent the space-weighted occupancy, including visitors, calculated per the “Weighted occupancy” section of the LEED v4.1 O+M Guide.
For example:
Reporting Period: June 1, 2019 through May 31, 2020
June 1, 2019 through February 28, 2020: 600 occupants (75% of the reporting period)
March 1, 2020 through May 31, 2020: 10 occupants (25% of the reporting period)
Calculation: (600*0.75) + (10*.25) = 453 occupants
Enter 453 occupants
OR
Available after October 15, 2020. Enter multiple occupancy values during the reporting period and the date of occupancy change. The system will automatically calculate the time weighted occupancy value.
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.