The scope of this article centers on the LEED 2009 New Construction Rating System, which has been integrated into the LEED 2009 Green Design & Construction Reference Guide. The LEED for New Construction Rating System is designed to guide and distinguish high-performance commercial and institutional projects, including office buildings, high-rise residential buildings, government buildings, recreational facilities, manufacturing plants and laboratories.

Several points associated with permeable concrete pavers are also available through the LEED for Homes Rating System, as outlined in the LEED for Homes Reference Guide v2008. However, this article focuses exclusively on commercial construction.

The Materials & Resource category includes both the construction and operations phases of a project, focusing on construction waste generation and efficient use of materials and resources.

Permeable Concrete Pavers and LEED

Concrete unit pavers designed for stormwater infiltration can assist in LEED point accruals. In the 2009 LEED for New Construction Rating System, LEED points are awarded on a 100-point scale, and credits are weighted to reflect their potential environmental impacts. Additionally, 10 bonus credits are available, four of which address regionally specific environmental issues. A project must satisfy all prerequisites and earn a minimum of 40 points to be certified.

Permeable concrete pavers can contribute to points earned under two of the five LEED credit categories ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Permeable pavers may help increase the post-development infiltration rate and quantity provided the insitu soils have a minimum .5 in/hr or greater infiltration rate. Consultation with a hydraulics engineer may be required.
Images courtesy of Pavestone Company

Sustainable Sites Credits

The Sustainable Sites Credit 6.1 focuses on stormwater quantity control and can provide 1 point to the project?EUR??,,????'?????<

Sub-surface storage for stormwater retention may also be applicable. Retained water storage systems may require a geo-membrane (HDPE or rubber ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Option 2 requires implementing a stormwater management plan that reduces peak flow discharge rates enough to protect receiving stream channels from excessive erosion. Permeable concrete pavers sub-base materials void ratio capacity to detain stormwater for a maximum of 48 hours can mitigate discharge water volume which may be used to achieve this credit. Consultation with a hydraulics engineer may be required.

Sites with existing imperviousness greater than 50 percent call for implementing a stormwater management plan designed to capture water runoff for infiltration on site equal to the quantity infiltrated prior to site development. Permeable pavers may help increase the post-development infiltration rate and quantity provided the insitu soils have a minimum .5 in/hr or greater infiltration rate. Consultation with a hydraulics engineer may be required.

The Sustainable Sites Credit 6.2 focuses on stormwater quantity and can contribute 1 point to the project?EUR??,,????'?????<

In addition, onsite soils must be able to infiltrate water at the rate and quantity sufficient to absorb at least 90 percent of the annual rainfall volume. The annual rainfall volume will vary by region.

The Sustainable Sites Credit 7.1 addresses the heat island effect generated by impervious, non-roof surfaces such as parking lots, drives, and walkways and can contribute 1 point to the project?EUR??,,????'?????<

Materials & Resources Credits

Materials & Resources Credit 3 addresses salvaged materials and can contribute 1 point to the project?EUR??,,????'?????<

Materials & Resources Credit 4 addresses materials with recycled content and can contribute 1-2 points to the project?EUR??,,????'?????<

Materials & Resources Credit 5 addresses regional materials and can contribute 1-2 points to the project?EUR??,,????'?????<

Literally, we are at the tip of the iceberg with permeable paver contributing to assist projects in being ?EUR??,,????'?????<