855773520-LEED-v5-ID-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition-1 - Page 241

Extracted Content

All other projects have the option of showing compliance for the project only or at the buildinglevel.

Design Field-installed piping experiences much higher leakage rates than self-contained equipment.58 During design, prioritize self-contained equipment. At minimum, projects must specify selfcontained equipment for systems that use refrigerants with a GWP ≥ 700. Additionally, teams must use self-contained equipment for at least 80% of the total refrigerant GWP. Self-contained equipment is less prone to leakage, and better accommodates leakage detection measures, than equipment with field-installed piping.

Installation For projects that include field-installed piping, install piping in a manner that limits leakage. Use brazed or press type fittings to minimize the potential for refrigerant leaks.

Install automatic leak detection systems in any fully enclosed space that houses equipment with an overall refrigerant charge greater than 100 tCO2e. (tCO2e is a metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, where a metric ton equals 1,000 kilograms or 2,205 pounds.)

Operations Maintaining systems during operations provides continued assurance that refrigerant leaks are identified as soon as possible, reducing GWP for leakage. Teams must develop a refrigerant maintenance plan that requires updates to the refrigerant inventory, tracking and recording of refrigerant charge and leakage rates, routine pressure testing on required systems, annual audits, and calibration of automatic leak detection system devices.

Major leaks identified during operations require immediate corrective action. Additionally, where leakage exceeds 1% of the total annual refrigerant recharge, teams must conduct additional testing and repairs to reduce the total leakage of the system. This ensures systems operate as intended and minimizes global warming associated with leakage.

Teams must designate a key individual or the appropriate management team to manage and enforce the plan.

58 PAE Engineers, “City of Seattle Refrigerant Emissions Analysis”, City of Seattle, May 5, 2020, https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/OSE/Building%20Energy/SEA_Refrigerant_Analysis_May2020.pdf.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 230