How does precast concrete contribute to LEED certification?

The use of precast concrete can contribute to multiple LEED or BREAM system points, depending on the specific project.

• WHAT IS LEED?

  LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green building tool that is revolutionizing the way buildings and communities are designed, built, maintained and operated. LEED was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED products, philosophies and techniques address the entire building lifecycle to incorporate best practices in green building. The LEED program provides certification of green building projects in which projects meet certain prerequisites and earn points to meet varying levels of certification.

  LEED can be used in all types of construction projects – residential, commercial, industrial, and developed communities.

• HOW DOES LEED WORK?

  The LEED rating system assigns points to aspects of sustainable performance in nine categories:

  – Location & Transportation
  – Sustainable Sites
  – Water Efficiency
  – Energy and Atmosphere
  – Materials and Resources
  – Indoor Environmental Quality
  – Integrative process
  – Innovation in design
  – Regional priority

  To achieve LEED certification, project teams must satisfactorily document achievement of all the LEED prerequisites and a minimum number of points.

• HOW MANY POINTS ARE REQUIRED FOR A PROJECT TO BE LEED CERTIFIED?

  LEED certifies buildings to four levels of increasing sustainable performance:

  –  Certified (40–49 points),

  –  Silver (50–59 points),

  –  Gold (60–79 points),

  –  Platinum (80 + points)

• HOW DOES PRECAST CONCRETE CONTRIBUTE TO LEED RATING POINTS?

  Precast Concrete contributes along most of the above credit categories toward LEED credits. In specific, use of Precast Concrete:

  · minimally disrupts the site (area and time)

  · reduces damage to drainage paths and natural habitats

  · increases open area, especially when multi-level parking structures are used

  · reduces the heat-island effect because of concrete’s light color

  · improves energy efficiency and thermal comfort

  · reuses and recycles formwork, keeping materials out of the landfill

  · minimizes resources; minimizes site laborers, construction schedule, and construction waste and eliminates formwork equipment and space for a staging area on site

  · can be reused or recycled

  · is generally made from materials that are extracted and manufactured regionally

  · does not need to be  painted

• HOW DOES PRECAST CONCRETE CONTRIBUTE TO LEED RATING POINTS?   ARMOS offers a complete line of precast concrete products, than can contribute to LEED certification requirements to meet prerequisites and earn credits if installed within the site boundaries.
   

Source: Precast / Prestressed Concrete Institute