New Playground LEED Guide

LEED is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. It promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

ECORE International, the manufacturer of PlayGuard playground safety surfacing, has introduced a new guide that explains how to obtain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits, a design guideline and certification tool for architects and designers seeking to develop high-performance, sustainable buildings. The instructional 10-page booklet, “PlayGuard Playground Safety Surfacing & LEED,” describes how the product line meets stringent criteria required to earn points under two of the six categories of LEED.

As an active member of the U.S. Green Building Council and other environmentally focused organizations, ECORE has made the green building movement a top priority. The new guide was published to make it easier for specifiers to understand the LEED credit areas impacted by flooring.

The guide contains a brief overview that describes the LEED rating system. Chapters include clear and concise definitions of LEED for New Construction (LEED-NC) categories and credits. Each chapter also includes helpful potential strategies for achieving project goals. The guide provides a short explanation that clarifies the differences between LEED-NC, LEED-CI (LEED for Commercial Interiors) and LEED-EB (LEED for Existing Buildings), two additional LEED rating systems. The guide concludes with ECORE’s commitment to environmental initiatives. Currently, there are nine rating systems, including: LEED for New Construction, LEED for Existing Buildings, LEED for Core & Shell, LEED for Commercial Interiors, LEED for Home, LEED for Schools, LEED for Retail, LEED for Healthcare and LEED for Neighborhood Development.