What should a Green rater do upon noticing a furnace in the garage during the preliminary rating?

A Green rater plays a crucial role in ensuring that a building project meets the requirements outlined in the LEED rating system, particularly concerning Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). When a furnace is discovered in a garage during the preliminary rating, it raises a significant concern in terms of indoor air quality and the potential for harmful emissions.

Notifying the project team of non-compliance with the Indoor Environmental Quality credit is essential because the intent of this credit is to prevent the introduction of contaminants into the living space from the garage. Having a furnace located in the garage can lead to volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, and other pollutants affecting the home's air quality. By bringing this issue to the attention of the project team, the Green rater enables them to address the non-compliance before it becomes a larger issue at project completion, ensuring the health and safety of future occupants.

Addressing the problem with the project team promotes a proactive approach to compliance and helps facilitate solutions that align with LEED requirements, reinforcing the objectives of sustainable building practices.