There are a lot of objectives to consider when planning a new building, especially if you’re taking a holistic approach. A building, whether an office or a data center, or a school campus is a network of connected systems that affect each other. In fact, the word “ecology” comes from the Greek word “Oikos” or “house” in English, which is fitting when talking about LEED certifications, which are provided to construction projects that meet certain standards in how they manage resources and affect nearby people and environments.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It’s a series of standards established by the United States Green Building Council (USBGC). LEED standards are complex and most people will benefit from some brief explanation.

What Does It Mean To Be LEED Certified?

LEED certification is provided to buildings that meet predefined standards for things like energy efficiency, water management, material usage, air quality, and more. It’s based on a points system where projects earn points for certain design characteristics that are environmentally friendly.

A LEED certification is a trusted sign that a building or constructed space meets a high standard, which also contributes positively to environmental impact, valuation, and longevity.

What are the 4 certification levels?

Certified - for projects scoring 40-49 points

Silver - for projects scoring 50-59 points

Gold - for projects scoring 60-79 points

Platinum - for projects scoring 80+

The maximum score possible is 110 points.

What Is LEED Certification For Structured Cabling?

Structured cabling can contribute to your LEED certification score if it comes with environmental product declarations (EPDs) and health product declarations (HPDs).

A structured cable must undergo a lifecycle assessment based on clear product category rules. This process leads to a report that documents things like how resource-intensive it is to produce the material and how it may play into climate change. This report is the EPD required for LEED certification.

A health product declaration reports on the chemical composition of a product, including the ingredients and how those ingredients may affect nearby humans. HPDs alert you to the presence of potential toxins or allergens that may be incompatible with your project.

LEED v4 is the standard that specifically addresses electrical cables and how they can contribute to your overall score. There is even a category for data centers, which is a recent addition.

How To Achieve LEED Certification

First, you need to select the rating system that best fits your project. The USBGC website provides lots of resources, including checklists and training programs to help you plan your project and earn the highest score.

Benefits Of Being LEED Certified

LEED certification is a symbol of corporate responsibility that can benefit your business in many ways. LEED-certified buildings are valued higher than their uncertified counterparts. They’re also more resource-efficient, which lowers operating costs. The principles of LEED certifications are to reduce the ways a building can negatively affect occupants and the surrounding environment. Although a LEED Platinum certification may not be your goal due to stringency and upfront costs, pursuing some level of certification proves to the public and your community that you care about more than your organization’s bottom line.