Discover the 60/40 rule for selecting the most appropriate LEED rating system for your green building project. Learn how to optimize your LEED certification process.
Question
What is the percentage rule when making a decision on the rating system that is most appropriate to use for a project?
A. 30/70 rule
B. 40/60 rule
C. 50/50 rule
D. 60/40 rule
Answer
D. 60/40 rule
Explanation
The percentage rule is a method to determine the most appropriate LEED rating system for a project when several rating systems may be applicable. To use this rule, first assign a rating system to each square foot or square meter of the building, and then choose the most appropriate rating system based on the resulting percentages.
The 60/40 rule is a guideline used in the LEED certification process to determine the most appropriate rating system for a project. This rule states that if a project has 60% or more of its gross floor area (excluding parking) dedicated to a specific space type, such as office, retail, or school, then the project should use the LEED rating system that corresponds to that space type.
For example, if a project has 65% of its gross floor area dedicated to office space, it should use the LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations (LEED-NC) rating system, which is designed for office buildings and other commercial spaces. On the other hand, if the remaining 35% of the project’s gross floor area is dedicated to a different space type, such as retail, the project team can choose to use the LEED for Retail rating system for that portion of the project.
By following the 60/40 rule, project teams can ensure that they are using the most appropriate LEED rating system for their project, which can help streamline the certification process and maximize the potential for achieving a higher level of LEED certification.
The entire gross floor area of a LEED project must be certified under a single rating system and is subject to all prerequisites and attempted credits in that rating system. The percentage rule states that if one rating system covers more than 60% of the gross floor area, that rating system should be used.
If no rating system covers more than 60% of the gross floor area, but one covers more than 40%, then that rating system should be used. If no rating system covers more than 40% of the gross floor area, then the project team can choose any applicable rating system. Therefore, the answer is B. 40/60 rule.
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