LEED SUSTAINABILITY

Batson-Cook is committed to conducting our operations in a manner that is sensitive to the surrounding environment on all projects, not just those with LEED^® goals. We have adopted the techniques and principles learned on LEED^® projects for one basic reason: It is the right and responsible thing to do.

Briefly, Batson-Cook’s sustainable and environmental practices include:

• A “best-practices” approach to each project we undertake, assisting owners, architects, and consultants to develop designs that foster energy-efficient, environmentally-responsible buildings and sites according to their project goals;
• Finding the most efficient and cost-effective methods for construction to help our clients meet their sustainability goals or attain LEED^® certification;
• Conducting a life-cycle analysis during the pricing and document review stage to assist owners in determining their best options for long-term value of owning, operating, and maintaining building systems and components;
• Maintaining a clean jobsite and executing a smooth project to minimize disruptions to our clients’ daily operations;
• Engaging businesses and communities surrounding the jobsite which will be affected by construction deliveries, changes in traffic patterns, noise, etc.;

We conduct an environmental impact analysis for each of our projects, including:

• Safety
• Site issues
• Water efficiency
• Energy efficiency
• Waste reduction
• Air quality issues

In order to achieve and demonstrate compliance with leadership in environmental and energy design LEED^®, we chair a meeting with the owner and architect to review the LEED^® Green Building Rating System project checklist. At that time, those sustainable standards items (and applicable credits) desired by the Owner will be identified.

As we proceed through the LEED^® checklist, the credits will typically fall into three categories:

1. Points the project achieves for little or no cost;
2. Points that are possible with added cost; and
3. Points that are not possible for this project.

After receiving input and direction from the Owner, Batson-Cook prices the points that have been identified and the least costly points that meet the needs for the project. The selected items from the LEED^® checklist can then be incorporated into the design by the architect. Once the design has been established, the team meets periodically to review the LEED^® checklist and update it as necessary. LEED^® updates are a part of every project Owner-Architect-Contractor meeting. At the pre-construction meetings held with all trade partners prior to their own work on the project, we carefully review each trade’s LEED^® requirements. The trade partners for each LEED^® trade are required to outline, in detail, the specific responsibilities of that trade partner to meet his specific requirements.

Special emphasis is directed to mechanical, electrical and plumbing disciplines to ensure they are aware of the testing and documentation requirements for commissioning and receiving LEED^® credits. As the project moves forward, it is our policy to review each trade partner and supplier submittal for compliance with the applicable LEED^® credits. Our Superintendent and other field supervision, along with project management personnel, bear the responsibility for the strict enforcement of the program’s implementation.

We are cognizant of the fact that documentation of the process and procedures enacted to achieve a LEED^® certification is critical. Throughout the project, all pertinent documentation sheets (MSDS), material components, environmental specifications, et cetera, are collected and appropriately recorded in designated logbooks in preparation for submittal to the U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for final certification.