How does Structural Lightweight Aggregates
                 fit into the LEED™ Green Building System?

    The use of SLA in building designs contributes toward LEED Green Building certification credits.  The
      Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system was designed by the United States Green
      Building Council USGBC to evaluate the influence of building design and construction on the environment.
 
      Expanded Shale Clay & Slate ESCS Structural Lightweight Aggregate SLA is a highly versatile material with
      many uses.  Its varied applications apply to diverse areas of the LEED  System.  Listed below are SLA's benefits
      and their relation to the six basic areas of concentration outlined in  the LEED rating system.

       ESCS = Expanded Shale Clay & Slate
       SLA    = Structural Lightweight Aggregate

     Sustainable Sites
......................................................................................................................
   Storm Water Management: Quantity Control Credit - Credit 6.1 (1 Point)
    Intent: Limit disruption of natural water hydrology by reducing impervious cover, increasing on-site infiltration, and
    managing storm-water runoff.

     ESCS SLA can be used as part of the landscaping design to reduce the
     amount of storm water runoff.  Because of their porosity, the SLA particles can absorb a significant
     portion of the "first flush" of stormwater.  ESCS SLA enhances the soil's ability to drain and filter

    Storm Water Management: Quantity Control - Credit 6.2 (1 Point)
    Intent: Limit disruption of natural water hydrology by reducing impervious cover, increasing on-site
    infiltration, and managing storm-water runoff.

     ESCS  SLA can be used to construct rain gardens, bio-retention areas, and bioswales to treat the site's
     stormwater.  It provides an excellent environment for beneficial microbial action to remove
     contaminants from the stormwater.

     Heat Island Effect: Non-Roof - Credit 7.1 (1 Point)
     Intent: Reduce heat islands (thermal gradient differences between developed and undeveloped areas) to
     minimize impact on microclimate and human and wildlife habitat.

     ESCS  SLA can be used in structural soil for tree planting in and around paved areas.   Structural
    soil provides a strong, stable subgrade for paving, while maintaining a superior growing medium for
    tree roots.  The open grading of structural soil made with SLA  provides spaces for root growth to prevent
    heaving of the pavement often associated with trees growing adjacent to sidewalks, parking areas and
    streets.

     Heat Islands Effect: Roof - Credit 7.2 (1 Point)
    Intent: Reduce heat islands (thermal gradient differences between developed and undeveloped areas) to
     minimize impact on microclimate and human and wildlife habitat.

      ESCS  SLA is the key ingredient of a superior, lightweight growing medium for both intensive and
      extensive green roofs.

     Water Efficiency     ................................................................................................................
      Water Efficient Landscaping: Reduce by 50% - Credit 1.1 (1 Point)
     Water Efficient Landscaping: No Potable Use or No Irrigation - Credit 1.2
     (1   Point)
       Intent: Limit or eliminate the use of potable water for landscape irrigation.

       The porosity and absorption of ESCS - SLA helps manage water use, while reducing compaction,
      increasing soil porosity, and maintaining soil temperature.  The aggregate particles absorb moisture
     during wet periods and slowly release it, alone with any soluble nutrients, for plant use during dry periods.

     Innovative Wastewater Technologies - Credit 2 (1 Point)
    Intent: Reduce generation of wastewater and potable water demand, while increasing the local
     aquifer recharge.

     ESCS  SLA can be used as part of an on-site sewage treatment system. Because of their porous cellular
     structure, the aggregate particles provide an environment suitable for beneficial microbial action for
     waste decomposition and wastewater filtration.

     Suggested Credit 1.1 - (1 Point) - Efficient Use of Materials - The use of lightweight concrete building
    materials manufactured with ESCS  SLA allows delivery of more building products on each truck,
    compared to ordinary concrete products.  This decreases the number of truckloads required to deliver
    the same volume of product.  As a result, the project benefits from reduced deliver costs, less fuel is
    consumed, and the community receives the benefit of reduced air and noise pollution and less traffic
    congestion.

     Suggested Credit 1.2 - (1 Point) - Fire Safety - Lightweight concrete masonry and structural
     lightweight concrete provide superior fire resistance, compared to ordinary concrete products. 
    Because lightweight concrete slows the flow of heat through the wall or floor, the required fire rating
    can be achieved with a smaller volume of concrete (thinner floors and walls).  This reduction in
    thickness means less concrete materials are used in the project, less raw materials are consumed and
    less transportation is required.  All these benefits are obtained while providing enhanced fire safety for
    the building occupants.

    Suggested Credit 1.3 - (1 Point) - Mold Prevention and Abatement.  Lightweight concrete masonry and
    structural lightweight concrete made with ESCS  SLA do not contribute to "sick building syndrome"
    because they do not provide a food source for mold.  Should mold occur in other building materials
    applied to a lightweight concrete substrate, the mold can be removed without damage to the substrate,
    reducing the economic and environmental impacts of the clean-up.

     Suggested Credit 1.4 - (1 Point) - Sound Absorption - Lightweight concrete masonry and structural
    lightweight concrete made with ESCS  SLA provide the superior sound transmission class (STC) for
    which concrete materials are known, while improving on the noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of
    ordinary concrete.  In fact, lightweight concrete masonry walls have been shown to absorb twice as
    much sound as ordinary concrete masonry walls.  Noise abatement through superior sound absorption
    enhances the comfort and productivity of the building occupants.

Back to ESCS Sustainability

       
        

       Expanded Shale, Clay and Slate Institute, ESCSI
       230 E. Ohio St. • Suite 400 • Chicago, IL 60611 11
       801.272.7070 • Fax 312.644.8557 •  email: info@escsi.org