Nick -
About your question on CIRs in LEED:
I think LEED 2009 reviewers aren't bound by any previous CIRs - http://www.gbci.org/Certification/Resources/cirs.aspx
However, the rumors continue that this could be changing, with "LEED Interpretations" - http://www.leeduser.com/topic/usgbc-offer-precedent-setting-leed-interpretations-along-cirs
Aaron Dahlstrom , PE, LEED(r) AP
Thanks for the links Aaron!
The first link clearly affirms my concerns for the present...
I suppose it's positive news that precedent-setting credit
interpretations have been in the works, though it seems wonky to my eyes
that the submitting team would have to pay an extra fee to have the
ruling be precedent-setting... That 'feature' seems to draw a line
between "regular" interpretations and "quality" interpretations that may
be referenced for future projects and be made publicly available...
shouldn't all submitted CIR responses be of a quality standard that
allows for setting precedent?
Hoping things all turn out for the better,
NICK CATON, E.I.T.