STRUCTURE OF RATING SYSTEM

LEED 2009 RATING SYSTEM SELECTION GUIDANCE

Which rating system should project teams use for their LEED project?
This document was devel`oped to explain what type of project each LEED rating system was written for.
It therefore provides general guidance that the US Green Building Council (USGBC) asks project teams
to consider in order to make a reasonable decision before registering their project. This document also
picks up where the LEED Reference Guides leave off when deciding which rating system is best for a
given project.

Exceptions: LEED for Schools and LEED for Healthcare projects.

There are very specific building types that must certify under these rating systems. See the
Introduction section of the relevant reference guides and sections below that outline when it is
necessary to use these rating systems.
This document does not address the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system. Please refer
to the USGBC website for more details on the LEED for Neighborhood Development rating system.

Occasionally, USGBC and/or the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI)

recognize that an entirely inappropriate rating system has been chosen for a
project. In this case, the project team will be asked to change the designated
rating system for their registered building project. Please review this guidance
carefully, and contact GBCI through the online customer service forms at
gbci.org if it is not clear which rating system to use.

Other reference materials that help project teams understand how their
project may pursue LEED:
Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs)
The MPRs answer the question Can I pursue LEED for my project? by listing the basic characteristics
that a project must possess to be eligible for certification. They can be found on all LEED 2009 rating
system pages at usgbc.org.
Instead of the MPRs, LEED for Homes project teams should refer to the LEED for Homes Scope &
Eligibility Guidelines, available on the LEED for Homes page at usgbc.org.
Rating Systems
Project teams should pay careful attention to the prerequisites and credits outlined in the given rating
system, and make sure that the project can earn all prerequisites and enough points to earn
certification.
GBCI and the Project Certification Process
GBCI publishes guidance on the certification process at gbci.org under building certification, resources
and fees.

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2. Rating Selection Guidance last updated September 1, 2011 2011 U.S.

Green Building Council, Inc.
How to use this guidance
First
Determine which construction type the project falls into. Be sure to consider the building in its entirety
or the complete interior space.
Second
If there are multiple rating systems applicable to the construction type, choose one based on space
usage type.
Third
If the correct rating system is not obvious, i.e. if different parts of the project are undergoing different
kinds of construction or are serving different space usage types, carefully review the When several
rating systems may be appropriate section below.

IGBC Green Factory Building Rating System

IGBC has set up the Core Committee to develop and maintain the ratings ongoing
contemporary relevance to the industry. The committee constitutes industry, academia,
government, material manufacturers and institutions to provide strategic inputs and
guidance. The diversity in the professions and experience of the members brings in a
holistic perspective in the process of developing the rating programme.

Evolution of the Rating System

IGBC, in its endeavor to extend green building concepts to all building types
envisioned a rating programme for factory building in May 2008. A core committee
was formed under the leadership of Mr. Pradeep Bhargava, Managing Director,
Cummins Generator Technologies India Ltd. The committee drafted the pilot version
of the programme which was launched in May 2009. The rating system is designed
to suit Indian climate and construction practices.
After one year of implementation, feedback from pilot projects will be reviewed by
the core committee and suggestions would be incorporated in the final rating system.
The rating system will be subject to review by the core committee, every 6 months,
to ensure that it is updated and contemporary.

Features of IGBC Green Factory

IGBC Green Factory Building Rating System is a voluntary and consensus based
programme. The rating system has been developed based on materials and
technologies that are currently available. This rating system would facilitate the
development of energy efficient, water efficient, healthy, more productive,
environmentally friendly factories.
The rating system evaluates certain credit points using a prescriptive approach and
other credits on a performance based approach. The rating system is evolved so as to
be comprehensive and at the same time user-friendly. The programme is
fundamentally designed to address national priorities and quality of life for factory
workmen.
The rating programme uses well accepted national standards and wherever local or
national standards are not available, appropriate international benchmarks have been
considered.

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Rating System Selection

First,
choose a rating system based on construction type
Complete Construction

Appropriate for:
Buildings that are undergoing new construction or major renovation (or gut rehab, for low- and mid-rise
residential) and a complete interior fit-out. There are five rating systems in this category:
LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations
LEED for Schools
LEED for Healthcare
LEED for Retail: New Construction and Major Renovations
LEED for Homes

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Core and Shell Construction

Appropriate for:
Buildings that are undergoing new construction or major renovation on its exterior shell and core
mechanical, electrical, and plumbing units but NOT a complete interior fit-out. There is only one rating
system in this category:

LEED for Core & Shell

Third, making a decision
When several rating systems may be appropriate
40/60 rule of thumb
The following 40/60 rule provides guidance for making a decision when several rating systems appear
to be appropriate for a project. To use this rule, first assign a rating system to each square foot of the
building based on the guidance in this document. Example: Existing Buildings: O&M for an existing
structure and New Construction for an addition being built onto it. Then, choose the best rating system
depending on the resulting percentages. Be sure to include the entire certifying square footage (but no
more) in this exercise.
Keep in mind that the entire gross floor area of a LEED project must be certified under a single rating
system, and is subject to all prerequisites and attempted credits in that rating system, regardless of a
mixed construction or space usage type.
a) If a rating system is appropriate for less than 40% of the gross floor area of a LEED project building
or space, then that rating system should not be used.
b) If a rating system is appropriate for more than 60% of the gross floor area of a LEED project building
or space, then that rating system should be used.
c) Project teams with buildings and spaces that do not fall into the scenarios described in a) and b)
must independently assess their situation and decide which rating system is most applicable. This is
further illustrated in the diagram below.

Additional Applications and Guidance

Meeting the definition of a construction type
Many projects will be undergoing construction work that does not fall neatly under one construction
type definition (such as major renovation or interior fit-out). It is the project teams responsibility in
this case to make a reasonable determination on which definition best fits their project. A strict
application of each definition is not required.
Maximum amount of work for interiors projects
If both the following two statements describe the project, then a whole building rating system, with the
exception of LEED for Commercial Interiors or LEED for Retail: Commercial Interiors, should be used.
1) the entity conducting the work leases OR owns and controls 90% or more of the building that the
space is located in
2) the same entity is conducting new construction or major renovation in 40% or more of the gross floor
area of the building

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LEED for Schools Applications

Use Table 1 to inform a decision between LEED for Schools and a complete design and
construction rating system.

Table 1. Applying the LEED for Schools Rating System

LEED for Healthcare Applications

Use Table 2 to inform a decision between LEED for Healthcare and a complete design and
construction rating system.

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Table 2. Applying the LEED for Healthcare R

Residential Applications
Use Table 3 to inform a decision between LEED for Homes, Multi-family Mid-rise, and a complete
design and construction rating system. LEED for New Construction (NC) is listed here for the
purposes of brevity.

Table 3. Applying the LEED for Homes Rating System

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IGBC Green Factory Building Process

The IGBC Green Factory Building addresses both the new and existing
factory
buildings.
The existing factory buildings should address the following measures (illustrative) before
applying for certification:

Soil erosion control measures in future

Changes in design to accommodate requirements of differently abled people, like
easy access to lifts, rest rooms etc.,

Change to low flow water fixtures

Rainwater harvesting
Limit turf areas

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Have policy for use of green materials in future

Minimum fresh air ventilation
Comfort conditions
Use eco-friendly housekeeping materials

The rating system is valid for 3 years. On completion of 3 years, projects can validate /
renew based on the prevailing latest version. The guidelines detailed under each credit
enable the design and construction of green factory building of all sizes and types.
IGBC Green Factory Building rating addresses green features under the following
categories:
Site Selection and Planning
Water Conservation
Energy Conservation
Material Conservation
Indoor Environment Quality and Occupational Health
Innovation & Design Process
Different levels of green building certification are awarded based on the total credits
earned. However, every Green factory building should meet certain mandatory
requirements, which are non-negotiable.
The various levels of rating awarded are:
Certified to recognise best practices
Silver to recognise outstanding performance
Gold to recognise national excellence
Platinum to recognise global leadership

IGBC Green Factory Building Certification Levels

Certification Level

Points

Certified

51-60

Silver

61-70

Gold

71-80

Platinum

81-100

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