Page 467 - The Engineering Guide to LEED-New Construction Sustainable Construction for Engineers

Definitions 427

Pedestrian Access ‘Implies that pedestrians can walk to the services without being blocked
by walls, freeways or other barriers.’
Percentage Improvement ‘Percentage improvement is the percent energy cost savings for the
proposed building performance versus the baseline building performance.’
Perviousness ‘The percent of the surface area of a paving material that is open and allows
moisture to pass through the material and soak into the earth below the paving system.’
Phenol Formaldehyde Chemical that ‘off-gases only at high temperature and is used for
exterior products; although many of those products are suitable for interior applications.’
Porous Sealant ‘A substance used as a sealant on porous materials. Porous materials have
tiny openings, often microscopic, in which fluids may be absorbed or discharged. Such
materials include, but are not limited to, wood, fabric, paper, corrugated paperboard and
plastic foam.’

Postconsumer Descriptive of ‘waste material generated by households or by commercial,
industrial, and institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product, which can no
longer be used for its intended purpose. This includes returns of materials from distribution
chains (source: ISO 14021). Examples of this category include construction and demolition
debris, material collected through curbside and dropoff recycling programs, broken pallets
(if from a pallet refurbishing company, not a pallet making company), discarded products
(e.g., furniture, cabinetry, and decking), and urban maintenance waste (e.g., leaves, grass
clippings, tree trimmings).’
Potable Water ‘Water suitable for drinking and supplied from wells or municipal water
systems.’
Preconsumer Content ‘Material diverted from the waste stream during the manufacturing
processes. Excluded is reutilization of materials such as rework, regrind, or scrap generated
in a process and capable of being reclaimed within the same process that generated it
(source: ISO 14021). Examples in this category include planer shavings, ply trim, sawdust,
chips, bagasse, sunflower seed hulls, walnut shells, culls, trimmed materials, print overruns,
overissue publications, and obsolete inventories. (Previously referred to as postindustrial
content.)’
Preferred Parking ‘Parking spots that are closest to the main entrance of the project exclusive
of spaces designated for handicapped, or to parking passes provided at a discounted
price.’
Previously Developed Sites ‘Sites that previously contained buildings, roadways, or parking
lots or were graded or altered by direct human activities.’

Primer ‘A material applied to substrate to improve adhesion of a subsequently applied
adhesive.’
Prior Condition Area ‘The total area of finished ceilings, finished floors, full-height walls, and
demountable partitions, interior doors, and built-in case goods that existed when the project
area was selected; exterior windows and exterior doors are not considered.’
Private or Private Use ‘LEED 2009 states that in these cases, private or private use refers
to the plumbing fixtures in residences, apartments, and dormitories, private bathrooms
in transient lodging facilities such as hotels and motels and also to private bathrooms
in hospitals and nursing facilities. Public use restrooms in the transient lodging facilities,
hospitals, and nursing facilities are not included.’