PLUSSM Rating Signals Increased Security to Federal Agency Tenants
Client Objective
The substantial renovation of a 12-story office building in Washington, DC included many new security features to increase its attractiveness to federal agencies. The renovation team, the Smith Group, alerted the owner about PLUS because it offers independent verification of the security improvements included in a facility.
The renovation team easily integrated the PLUS application for a Bronze rating into the project work. The owner received a discount because a Building Security Certified Professional prepared his PLUS application.
Bronze Rating Awarded
The owner was awarded a provisional Bronze rating in the Class A building category. (PLUS offers 5 progressive categories, beginning with Rated, then Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum. PLUS uses Building Classifications to reflect relative risk, with Class A as high risk, Class B as medium, C as low and D as minimum.) Provisional ratings are awarded to new buildings and substantial renovations. They become permanent only after construction is completed and the building begins full operation. This differs from LEED because major changes often occur between design and construction. A final rating is granted after the building is occupied because operational measures are integral to PLUS.
PLUS Rating Used as Leasing Tool
Extremely satisfied with the rating, the owner will use the rating to differentiate his building when marketing to prospective federal agency tenants.
| Project: | Substantial renovation of a large 12-story office building (1 million+ sq. ft.) |
| Location: | A major metropolitan area (population: 1 million+) |
| Building Classification: | Class A |
| Rating Sought: | Bronze |
| Building Owner Objective: | Improved ability to lease space to federal government tenants for this facility, which was built in the late 1960s |
| Assessment Team Composition: |
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| Countermeasures Used to Achieve This PLUS Category: | 176 of a total 302 possible countermeasures were integrated into the design of this building, including:
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| Rating Granted: | Class A –Bronze (tentative). Tenants still must supply O&M procedures before final rating is approved. |
| Points Required to Move Up to Next PLUS Level: | If the tenant adds an additional 8 points for a total of 67 of 72 points including 4 required points, a Silver rating could be awarded. Rating level qualification points are applied on a cumulative basis. |
| Building Owner Reaction: | PLUS rating increased owner's confidence and tools to market the space to federal agency representatives. |