Like in the Water Efficiency category, many of the Materials and Resources credits maintain the same intentions and implementations, but additional points may be achieved through higher percentages or higher performance of the intention. MR1.1 and MR1.2 are EXACTLY the same, except you can earn two points by achieving the 95% requirement in MR1.2. Please note that credit MR1.3 should be treated as a separate credit with different means of implementation, as you will see when you get there.
Maintain 75% of Existing Walls, Floors, and Roof
Intention:
- Extend the life cycle of existing building stock
- Conserve and retain cultural resources
- Reduce waste
- Reduce environmental impact with regards to manufacturing materials and their transport
Implementation:
- Reuse existing building structure
- Exclude:
- windows
- doors
- non-structural material
- MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing)
- Elevator equipment
- hazardous material (which should be removed)
- Includes:
- Flooring
- Framing
- Roof
- Exterior Structure (envelope)
- Calculation:
- USE SQUARE FOOTAGE (sq.ft.)
- If addition to an existing building is more than 2 times the original, credits 1.1 & 1.2 are not applicable.
Codes/Standards Applied:
- none
Extra Credit:
- none
Submittal Phase:
- Construction (tip: all Materials and Resources credits are submitted in the construction phase except MR P1)
Links from Reference Guide:
- none
Other Materials & Resources Credits
- MR P1 – Storage and Collection of Recyclables (prerequisite)
- MR 1.1 – Building Reuse, Maintain 75% of Existing Walls, Floors, & Roof
- MR 1.2 – Building Reuse, Maintain 95% of Existing Walls, Floors & Roof
- MR 1.3 – Building Reuse, Maintain 50% of Interior Non-Structural Elements
- MR 2.1 – Construction Waste Management, Divert 50% from Disposal
- MR 2.2 – Construction Waste Management, Divert 75% from Disposal
- MR 3.1 – Materials Reuse, 5%
- MR 3.2 – Materials Reuse, 10%
- MR 4.1 – Recycled Content, 10% (post-consumer + 1/2 pre-consumer)
- MR 4.2- Recycled Content, 20% (post-consumer + 1/2 pre-consumer)
- MR 5.1 – Regional Materials, 10% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Regionally
- MR 5.2 – Regional Materials, 20% Extracted, Processed & Manufactured Regionally
- MR 6 – Rapidly Renewable Materials
- MR 7 – Certified Wood
36 Comments On This Post
If you are constructing a new building up from the ground, can you reuse walls, floors, roof from a completely separate building to satisfy this credit?
Mitchell,
I will take a stab at this question by saying I think they would say no, not for this credit, but try for MRCredit 3 Materials Reuse.
This Credit,C1.1-1.3 Building Reuse, is specific to the SITE of the project,
They are interested in having the materials already being there, as far as saving energy etc.
I read a CIR where they asked if they could have credit for lifting and moving the entire building offsite to be reused elsewhere while they planned to build a new one on the site, and they said no, because you are taking it off site,and the site bounderies need to be consistent throughout the project, but they can get credit for MR Credit 2 Construction Waste Management along with applying for extra credit ID by diverting almost 100% from the landfill!
C3 Material reuse seems to fit better because they value the material in terms of cost which tells me it is a procurement situation. A good tip off in trying to distinguish credits that seem to overlap is to check out the submittals..
Also not being the most linear person, and how badly written the ref guide can be, I do like reading the CIR,s on the USGBC site, less dry by reading a narrative, Intents are readdressed in specific situations…
Thanks valeria! That clears things up quite a bit
oh you’re welcome! good luck on the test!
Am I correct that one cannot count an interior non-structural wall in 1.1 or 1.2 and that it can only be counted in 1.3?
Thanks,
Gary
A second question: What is the difference between roof decking that is included and non-structural roofing materials that are not included?
Thanks,
Gary
I believe you’re right on question 1.
On question 2: roof decking, I think, would be any roof component that has a structural role: think plywood diaphragm in wood framing, concrete decking, or steel pan… The easiest way to decide if something “counts” or not might be to ask yourself–could I walk on it?
Non-structural roofing materials would be things like waterproofing membrane, insulation, shingles, tile, etc. etc. etc.
a different Melissa,
Thanks. I’m still unclear because structural roof decking would be covered by membrane, shingles, etc and you could both walk on it and count that surface area anyway. Perhaps what they mean is that roof decking on a flat roof, be it concrete or steel serves a structural purpose in that it ties the trusts together and can help bear the weight of equipment, vegetated roof, etc. The plywood on a steeper sloped roof with shingles on it also serves a structural purpose of tying the trusts together. But let’s say you have a utility shed attached to the exterior wall of a building. The roof of the shed does not serve a structural function so it would be considered non-structural roofing material.
Maybe I’m putting two and two together and getting 5. Anyway, do you think I would need to know the distinction for the test or simply that there is a distinction?
Thanks,
Gary
Historic building renovations? Cannot qualify under NC 2.2?
Bob,
What makes you think a historic building renovation might not qualify? Perhaps I don’t understand your question, but the 75% means at least 75% not simply 75%.
Gary
Anyone,
I’m having difficulties getting access to the CIR database from the USGBC website. Is this the sort of information I will only have access to if i register a project to become LEED certified? Do I need to be a USGBC ‘member’?
Help greatly appreciated. I will be taking the test in a week, so the sooner i get this info, the better.
Thanks,
Lau.
Lau
Go to this link:
http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/Credit/CIRMain.aspx?CMSPageID=1432&CategoryID=1195&
You can either search for an existing CIR by filling out the appropriate info, or scroll down and you can browse for CIRs by clicking on the categories.
Hope that helps, Good luck
Lau- and yes you will need to sign into your user account or create one if you dont have one…
Is the square footage, as related to size of the existing building and size of the proposed expansion, based on buildign footprint or gross building square footage?
Question.. why is this not also C: square footage? Wouldn’t it be both?
To qualify for MR Credit 1.1, Building Reuse: Maintain 75% of Existing Walls, Floors, and Roof, the percentage of the existing building structure and envelope that is maintained must be determined. This percentage is based on
A: estimated replacement cost
B: number of structural members
C: square footage
D: surface area
Solution:
To earn this credit, a project must maintain 75% of the existing building structure and envelope, based on surface area.
The answer is D.
Jana-
I would say that “D” is the most correct answer. If “D” wasn’t an option, then “C” would be your answer.
The practice tests seem to always be so vague and try to trick you. The good news is on the real LEED exam I personally didn’t have any question that were quite this tricky w/ 2 answers that seem to be correct. After taking the Exam, I thought that the practice exam questions were way more difficult than the real LEED exam. Hopefully you find the same to be true for you.
Thanks Cassi… that’s great to hear!
Does anyone know whether, if a building reuse qualifies for MR c1.1, 1.2, or 1.3, the reused material can also be counted toward:
(i) Regional Materials (MRc5) and/or
(ii) assuming the reused material is of a rapidly renewing material, Rapidly Renewing Material(MR c6)?
On a similar note, if material qualifies for Material Reuse (MRc3) and Recycled Content (MRc4), can the same material be credited toward Rapidly Renewing Material (again assuming it is of a rapidly renewing material)?
Thanks all.
For the first part of your ques, i would be interested too in getting the answer.
For the second part:
If a material qualifies for MRc3, it can only be applied to MRc5(if applicable) and not to MRc1,2,4,6 or 7.(per ref. guide)
Here is all ive been able to find out thus far
1. MRC3 will ONLY synergize with MRC5. For all other MR credits, if a project earns MRC3 using a particular material it can NOT be used to count towards any other MR credit, except MRC5. With this in mind, a credit cannot qualify for both MRC3 and MRC4 as you said.
2. Im fairly confident to say that MRC5 will synergize with MRC3,4,6, and 7. As for 1 and 2, I havent been able to find a definitive answer.
3. MRC1 and MRC2 do not synergize so anything earned in MRC1 will not count towards MRC2 and visa verse.
4.MRC7 must come from NEW wood so the implication here is that anything earned for credits MR1,2 and 3 would not be applicable to earn MRC7. It can’t be recycled so that excludes MRC4 so that leaves only MRC5 and MRC6. If your lucky enough to have an FSC forest nearby you could get MRC6 heh. I imagine it would be possible to find a FSC wood source that is also renwable as well . . though Im a bit iffy on this so someone should verify.
5.Due to the Intent of MRC4, I assume all qualifying materials would need to be purchased from a manufacturer. The intention is to increase the demand of Recycled items and by reusing items on site, you wouldnt be helping a market for such items. Based on this assumption I think no other MR credit synergizes with MRC4 except:
-MRC5 because it could be sourced locally
-MRC6 Because renewable resources can be recycled
6. Im pretty confident MRC6 synergizes with MRC7, 5, and 4. As far as 1,2 and 3 are concerned im not sure (help)
Wish you could edit posts lol:
I made a mistake on #2, MRC5 will not synergize with MRC2 AND it would appear that at least part of the intent of MRC5 would be met by earning MRC1 (reducing transportation of materials). However, other intents like increasing demand for locally sourced materials, and supporting indigenous resources would not be addressed. Based on that… id say 1 out of 3 isnt enough and MRC5 would not synergize with MRC1
Looking at the intent of MRC 5 again. Perhaps you could count MRC1
Based on the Reference Guide:
MR cr.1 materials can be used for cr. 2 if not met in cr. 1
MR cr. 3 materials can be used for cr. 2 if not met in cr. 3
MR cr. 3 can also be used for cr. 5
Julio: Any ideas on MRC6 and MRC1, 2, and 3?
Parker-
Thanks for the response. Great post. I agree with you except as to your #5.
Not that they are the definitive source- but the GEP tests assume that Recycled Material (MR c.4) and Material Reuse (MRc3) can be applied to the same material. Therefore, I gather, one could get points for both MR 3 & 4 for on-site material that is either (i) refurbished (e.g., refurbished doorknobs) or (ii) used for a purpose other than its original purpose (e.g., paneling reused for cabinets).
I still haven’t found anything definitive about whether Regional Materials (MR c5) and Rapidly Renewing (MR c6) can be used together with MR c1.1 – 1.3; I’ll let you know if I come up with anything- but I think I’m at the point of diminishing returns on the topic.
On my second question I phrased it incorrectly. You are right that the Material Reuse (MRc3) and Recycled Content (MRc4) are mutually exclusive. What I meant to ask is: if material qualifies for Material Reuse (MRc3) OR Recycled Content (MRc4), can the same material be credited toward Rapidly Renewing Material (again assuming it is of a rapidly renewing material)?
Material contirbuting towards achieving c.3 CANNOT be applied to MR c1,2,4,6,7
but mat contribute to MR c 5.1,5.2
If MR c.3 is not being attempted, applicable materials can be applied to another LEED credit if eligible.
Hope that answers your qs 2081
Thanks Aripta. Can the material be applied to c1 if it is also being applied c5 or c6?
By the way- I passed yesterday! What a relief.
For MR 1.1 and 1.2, do you exclude a new building area from teh calculation? pg 250 of the guide calcualts the % saved as Total Retained Materials Area/Total EXISTING Materials Area.
This is different than 1.3, which states that you include both the existing and new building area (see note to Table 2 pg 253). Don’t know why there ould be the difference and wish the guide were clearer this.
In the sample test, one of the questions is “To achieve MR Credit 1, Building Reuse, what existing surface area information must be available to document compliance with this credit?” The answer key says that the correct answer is Window Assemblies. Everything I see relating to this credit says to exclude windows. What am I missing?
A possible way of looking at the answer (assuming you want to prove that the answer is correct)
is look at it this way
You would have to know also know (other than the building surface area) the ara you would need to exclude – which is that of the window.
Its a badly worded qs. you neednt worry
you have everything figured out!
Cheers
For this sample question:
1.For MRc1, Building Reuse, which of the following aspects of a building project should not be included in the LEED calculations for submission? (Choose 3.)
a. Small additions to the existing building
b. Remediated hazardous materials
c. Interior floor coverings
d. Reusable furniture pieces
e. Roof decking
f. Doors
Answer is a,b,d. It is clear why these are not included. But why is c included- I thought this credit was for STRUCTURAL material re-use and EXTERNAL skin. Any comments on re-use of non-structural floor finishes?
2. a second question
Also in Pat’s list above it says DOORS are not included, but in the guide doors are counted IF re-used as doors. Correct? Is this true of windows too?
Jessie,
My interpretation is this:
The question does not specify MR 1.1, 1.2, 1.3. So it is asking what are the GENERAL requirements of MRc1. By looking at the given answers, we know that additions don’t count, hazardous materials are a no no, interior floor coverings count to MRc1.3, furniture does not count in MR1, roof decking for MR1.1,1.2, and doors for MR1.3 if used as doors again.
Doors can be counted if reused as doors in MR1.3
It seems to me that small additions would count “in the LEED calculations for submission” because you have to calculate the finished area and use that as the baseline for the reused area of credit 1.3. Is this right? Another poor question (there seem to be many of them)?
I had the same question. The reference guide says to calculate 1.1/1.2 by taking the total area of total retained materials by the total existing materials; whereas to calculate 1.3 you take the total retained interior elements by the total area of elements. I suppose for the purposes of that question, the ‘small additions to the existing building’ are referring to the structural elements only?
do not understand what is going on with the addition situation. Could someone clarify?
thanks
The following question pertains to LEED-NC 2.2 MRc1.1/1.2 and an addition/renovation project.
The project includes a new additiona along with the renovation of a PORTION of an existing building where 100% of the existing structural walls, floor and roof are being retained (interior, non-structural elements will NOT be retained).
However, the renovation area only comprises <10% of the existing building area.
Can anyone confirm whether this scenario meets the intent of credit MRc1.1/1.2?
No other credit appears to apply and the addition would be much larger if no renovation took place.
Any comments would appreciated!
Regards,
John
The new addition is less than 10% which makes the project eligible for the MRc1.1 and MRc1.2 as they are using 100% of the existing structural walls, floors and roofs.