Steel Industry Releases Guide to LEED v4

The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) has released a guide to using steel construction products for the latest version of the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification program. The guide, “LEED v4 for Steel Products Used in Construction Applications,” will help construction professionals understand how steel products can earn points toward LEED v4 certification.

“A rapidly-evolving green building industry and increasing demand for sustainability have led to a number of updates and a more rigorous certification process in LEED v4,” said Mark Thimons, Vice President, Sustainability for SMDI. “The new process places an increased focus on material and resource transparency. This new guide for steel construction products will help builders leverage steel’s sustainability benefits to meet their certification goals.”

Steel has always been well-positioned for credits in categories like recycled content, but LEED v4 offers even more opportunities to earn credits for steel use, across a range of categories, such as:

Materials and Resources

Steel-intensive design truly excels in this category, which focuses on minimizing the embodied energy and other impacts associated with the extraction, processing, transport, maintenance and disposal of building materials. The requirements are designed to support a life-cycle approach that improves performance and promotes resource efficiency.

Energy and Atmosphere

This category approaches energy from a holistic perspective, addressing energy use reduction, energy-efficient design strategies and renewable energy sources. Steel framing can provide the building block for truly energy-efficient designs, while steel cladding products can help create exceptionally tight building envelopes. Additionally, steel roofing provides an excellent platform for photovoltaic systems to earn Energy and Atmosphere credits.

Sustainable Sites

Construction professionals can earn Sustainable Sites points by using steel roofing products to reduce heat island effects and prefabricated steel products to reduce onsite construction times.

The guide is available for download at www.steelsustainability.org/construction/leedv4.aspx.

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

The Evolving Landscape of Commercial Energy Efficiency

Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 PDH, LA CES/HSW; 0.1 ICC CEU; 1 IIBEC CEH; 0.1 IACET CEU

This course equips owners, architects, engineers, and construction professionals with the knowledge to navigate the evolving landscape of commercial energy efficiency codes and their critical role in sustainable and energy-efficient building design. We will delve into the most recent and upcoming energy codes and standards, with a focus on ASHRAE 90.1 and IECC, and explore their implications for building enclosure design and performance

Next Level Cladding with Resin Cast Shapes

Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 0.1 ICC CEU; 1 IIBEC CEH; 0.1 IACET CEU

This course examines wood and brick resin cast shapes' and demonstrates their sustainability and performance qualities. They are durable, lightweight, and easy to install. Case studies of noteworthy projects illustrate the superior form and function of this next-level cladding alternative.

Poll

Have you heard the term "hypostruction"?

View Results

Poll Archive

Products

Plaster and Drywall Assemblies Manual

This is a comprehensive manual that goes beyond codes and standards, providing expert guidance in design, detailing, material selection and troubleshooting for plaster and drywall.

See More Products