Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED BD+C: Schools, LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.2, v2 - Schools 2007, v2 - LEED 2.0, v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

Our project includes structural Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL). The project requires LVL engineered wood framing for its structural properties and its visual consistency with the surrounding environment. Because this product is exposed throughout, we were not able to find acceptable substitutes that would maintain the integrity of the design and fit the program requirements of the building. The LVL material is Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified. We searched all available sources including the FSC-US, for FSC certified LVL products, but they were impossible to find. FSC certified LVL material is not currently available in the United States. We received a letter from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) that confirms that the FSC is unable to locate a U.S. supplier of FSC-certified laminated veneer lumber (LVL) at this time. The SFI certified LVL materials are the greenest option available. Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Criteria, from SFI 2005-2009 Standard: To practice sustainable forestry to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs by practicing a land stewardship ethic that integrates reforestation and the managing, growing, nurturing, and harvesting of trees for useful products with the conservation of soil, air and water quality, biological diversity, wildlife and aquatic habitat, recreation, and aesthetics. Since FSC certified LVL material is not available, the SFI certified LVL material will count against the credit as calculated in Equation 1. We submit that the SFI material meets the intent of the credit, since it promotes sustainable and responsible forest management. We request an interpretation for documenting the costs of LVL material in either of the two altered equations: Equation A: Include the cost of the LVL material with the FSC certified material, so that it counts toward the credit. Certified Wood Material Percentage= (FSC certified wood material cost + SFI certified LVL cost) / Total new wood material cost Equation B: Take the LVL material out of the equation all together, so that it does not count toward the credit, or count against the credit. This interpretation is makes the requirement more stringent than Equation A. Certified Wood Material Percentage= FSC certified wood material cost, not including SFI certified LVL cost / Total new wood material cost, not including SFI certified LVL cost.