What Is Leed Certification?

By Author: William Hauselberg
Total Articles: 816
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Getting LEED green certification has numerous benefits for a company. LEED or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design is a green building certification system recognized internationally. It gives third party verification that a building has employed strategies designed to improve water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, CO2 emission reduction, energy savings, stewardship of resources and thoughtfulness about the impact the building will have on the environment in the building's design and use. Green steel building construction can be achieved in a number of ways. If the building meets certain design, use and operation standards it can be LEED certified.

How To Get LEED Certification

To be LEED certified steel buildings must use ENERGRY STAR compliant high-reflectivity and high-emissivity roofing with a minimum solar reflectivity of 78 over a minimum of 3/4 of the roof. It must comply with ANSI/ASHRAE/IANES Standard 90.1 2007 or the local energy code whichever one is more stringent. It must contain at least 5% recycled materials, maintaining appropriate indoor environmental quality and using innovative ...
... design. Using local or regional materials earns more points towards certification. If you use a Green steel building design it can benefit you and the environment.

LEED is a rating system created by the United States Green Building Council to aid builders in their drive for environmental sustainability. Reducing the negative impact a structure has on the surrounding environment is the goal. Practices like using recycled steel or using steel produced within 500 miles of where the structure is being constructed can both play a role in getting a steel building to get LEED certification. Ideally the goal is to use 100% recycled steel. However if a building uses at least 25% recycled steel that can help in its drive to become LEED certified. It would be wise to make green steel building design a part of your construction plans.

Why You Should Get LEED Certification

The goal of LED certification is sustainability- the ability to meet the needs of the present without endangering the ability of future generations to meet their needs. As builders work to change the way communities and buildings are designed with an eye towards being socially and environmentally responsible, ensuring each project meets or exceeds LEED guidelines can improve the quality of life for this and future generations. If you plan and design your green steel building construction using these guidelines it can be a benefit to all.

Steelsmith, Inc. is a national commercial construction company that specializes in Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings, Green steel building design, Green steel building construction, and metal roof replacements.