LEED MRc1 Option 4 WBLCA Checklist
This checklist has been made to ensure which information you have available to you in order to start your LEED calculations for the MRc1 credit. We believe that if you are able to collect the below-listed items, you will be able to start your LEED project without too many issues, depending on the quality of the data received.
We recommend always planning a stakeholder meeting before you start designing the proposed building so that you can pick the right direction and subsequently identify up to how many points you could earn.
Source of material information for the project
This could be e.g. a BIM or energy model. For the LEED MRc1 credit, you will be required to include the structure and enclosure. Elements which fall under this are the foundations, frame, walls, roof system, cladding and waterproofing. Building technology, finishes and site development do not have to be considered. The quality of your BIM model can also affect the speed of performing the LCA. You can find BIM modelling guides at the following link: BIM Modelling Guide for LCA
Find out the architect's or customers' material requirements for the proposed building
Start with finding out what the architects' or customers' requirements are and the availability of said materials in their region, so that a direction can be chosen. While for the proposed building, you will need to model the actual materials which will be used during the construction of your building, it does not make much sense to, e.g. specify 50% recycled binders in concrete, when in your region you can only get up to 25% recycled binders.
If you have an accurate list of the materials which are used, this will speed up the process of completing your proposed building.
List of all materials that are covered by EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations).
Should you decide to go for the credits which require having used EPDs in your calculations, you will require a list of all materials which will be covered by an EPD. Additionally, searching for the EPD number is the fastest way to find the material in the databases used in One Click LCA.
List of commonly used materials for your type of building in your region
As you will have to show a reduction of emissions with most of the credit paths, you will need to use typical/common materials used in the construction of your region for your baseline building. It will speed up your process for your baseline greatly if you are aware of what common construction materials are for the project location.
List of service life of materials used in the project
To get accurate B4-B5 (replacement & refurbishment) emissions, you will need to adjust the service life value of your materials. If the chosen materials are known, these values could come from the manufacturer or be based on warranty or similar installations. In most countries, there are also specific documents available which list typical service life values for materials in that country or region. Read more about the service life values here: Service life of Materials
List of transportation distances and modes of transport
To get accurate A4 emissions (transportation to the building site), you will need to adjust the transportation distance and the mode of transportation. This is regarding the distance a product travels from the manufacturing site to the building site.
Any evidence that proves the proposed design is more efficient than the baseline design
This can include calculations, ideas or models which prove efficiency over the baseline design. What this can also include is, e.g. proof of a vendor that the type of steel used in the proposed building is the stated percentage of recycled content.
Check out our Guide for LEED MRc1 Option 4 Whole Building LCA here as well: LEED MRc1 Option 4 WBLCA Guide