git:20260812.ab1329f to git:20260920.ef0a19e

- description: Write CSI specification language for EPD submittals and sourced GWP limits. Use to add embodied-carbon or EPD requirements to specs; not to parse, find, or compare EPDs.

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- # /as:epd-to-spec — EPD Specification Writer

-

- <!-- architecture-studio:harness-compatibility -->

- > Harness note: use `/as:<skill>` on Claude Code and `$<skill>` on Codex. Resolve `<skill-root>` as the directory containing this loaded `SKILL.md` and `<plugin-root>` as the plugin root that contains `skills/`, and use equivalent native tools when host tool names differ.

-

- Takes EPD data, GWP limits, or a materials list and generates CSI-formatted specification sections that require Environmental Product Declarations and set maximum Global Warming Potential thresholds. Output follows the same three-part CSI SectionFormat used by `/as:spec-writer`.

-

- EPD fields follow [`schema/epd-schema.md`](../../schema/epd-schema.md). Accept pasted structured values, direct handoffs from `/as:epd-parser` or `/as:epd-compare`, or a validated project-local `epd-library.csv`; do not require a library.

-

- ## Project context

-

- If `PROJECT.md` exists in the working directory, read it before fetching, then scan `decisions/*.md` directly for GWP thresholds or material choices the spec must reflect. After completing, offer chosen thresholds to `/as:project update` for its **Code** section, each with a source and date. If a threshold was chosen here, propose `/as:project record-decision`. No `PROJECT.md`? Skip silently — or mention `/as:project init` if the user is clearly starting a project.

-

- ## Input

-

- The user provides one or more of:

-

- 1. **Material list with GWP limits** — "concrete max 350 kg CO2e/m3, rebar max 1.0 kg CO2e/kg"

- 2. **EPD data** — pasted values, a direct handoff, or "use the EPDs in my project library to set thresholds"

- 3. **Comparison report** — "use the lowest GWP from my last comparison as the max"

- 4. **LEED target** — "we're pursuing LEED v4.1 MRc2 Option 2"

- 5. **Verbal description** — "write EPD requirements for a ground-up office, concrete and steel structure, curtain wall"

- 6. **Project type** — helps determine which CSI divisions need EPD language

-

- If the user invokes the skill without input, ask:

-

- 1. **What materials need EPD requirements?** (paste a list, reference a direct EPD result or local EPD CSV, or describe the project)

- 2. **Do you have specific GWP thresholds, or should I use published industry baselines (cited with named source and publication year)?**

-

- ## CSI Divisions Where EPDs Are Most Common

-

- Map materials to the correct division. EPD requirements are most relevant for structural, envelope, and interior finish materials:

-

- | Division | Title | Common EPD Products |

- |----------|-------|-------------------|

- | 03 30 00 | Cast-in-Place Concrete | Ready-mix concrete |

- | 03 40 00 | Precast Concrete | Precast panels, structural precast |

- | 03 41 00 | Precast Structural Concrete | Precast beams, columns |

- | 05 12 00 | Structural Steel Framing | Hot-rolled steel, HSS |

- | 05 21 00 | Steel Joist Framing | Open web steel joists |

- | 05 31 00 | Steel Decking | Composite floor deck, roof deck |

- | 05 50 00 | Metal Fabrications | Miscellaneous metals, rebar |

- | 06 10 00 | Rough Carpentry | Dimensional lumber, engineered wood |

- | 06 17 00 | Shop-Fabricated Structural Wood | Glulam, CLT, LVL |

- | 07 21 00 | Thermal Insulation | Mineral wool, XPS, EPS, spray foam |

- | 07 27 00 | Air Barriers | Fluid-applied, sheet membranes |

- | 07 42 00 | Wall Panels | Metal wall panels, ACM |

- | 07 54 00 | Thermoplastic Membrane Roofing | TPO, PVC |

- | 08 44 00 | Curtain Wall / Glazing | Aluminum curtain wall, IGUs |

- | 09 21 00 | Plaster and Gypsum Board | Gypsum board, joint compound |

- | 09 30 00 | Tiling | Porcelain, ceramic tile |

- | 09 51 00 | Acoustical Ceilings | ACT, mineral fiber |

- | 09 65 00 | Resilient Flooring | LVT, rubber, linoleum |

- | 09 68 00 | Carpeting | Carpet tile, broadloom |

- | 32 12 00 | Asphalt Paving | HMA, WMA |

-

- ## Spec Generation Workflow

-

- ### Step 1: Parse and classify materials

-

- Read the user's input and build an inventory:

-

- - **Material/product** — as provided

- - **CSI division and section number** — mapped from the material type

- - **GWP threshold** — user-provided limit, EPD value, or industry baseline

- - **Declared unit** — must match the unit used in the GWP threshold

-

- If the user provided EPD data or a comparison report, extract the GWP values and declared units from there. Validate any `epd-library.csv` with `python3 "<plugin-root>/skills/master-schedule/scripts/csv-library.py" validate epd`; reject the FF&E schema. Validation is read-only; never invoke `init`, `import`, `append`, or `update`.

-

- If no GWP thresholds are specified, a published industry-average baseline may be used **only when you can cite its named source and publication year** (per the GWP Baseline Policy below) — always flag such thresholds `[VERIFY THRESHOLD]`. If no citable baseline is available, **do not use approximate from-memory numbers.** Instead, ask the user:

-

- **"I need GWP thresholds to write the spec. You can provide them by:**

- 1. **Sharing an EPD** — I'll extract the GWP value and declared unit

- 2. **Using `/as:epd-research`** — I'll find EPDs for your material categories

- 3. **Using `/as:epd-compare`** — compare products and pick a threshold from the results

- 4. **Stating a number** — e.g., 'concrete max 350 kg CO2e/m3'

-

- **We're working on EC3 API integration that will automate baseline lookups — for now, provide an EPD or a specific threshold."**

-

- Do not fall back to uncited hardcoded numbers. Write the spec with `[THRESHOLD TBD]` placeholders if the user asks to proceed without data, and flag every placeholder clearly.

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- Report the mapping:

-

- ```

- Identified X materials across Y divisions:

- - 03 30 00 Cast-in-Place Concrete: GWP max 350 kg CO2e/m3 (user-provided)

- - 05 12 00 Structural Steel Framing: GWP max 1.16 kg CO2e/kg (AISC Fabricated Hot-Rolled Structural Sections EPD, 2021) [VERIFY THRESHOLD]

- - 07 21 00 Thermal Insulation: GWP max 1.2 kg CO2e/kg (NAIMA Mineral Wool Industry-Wide EPD, 2021) [VERIFY THRESHOLD]

- ```

-

- Ask: **"Does this mapping look correct? Any thresholds to adjust?"**

-

- ### Step 2: Generate specification sections

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- For each material, write a three-part outline spec. The EPD-specific language is concentrated in Part 1 (submittals, quality assurance, sustainability) and Part 2 (environmental performance requirements).

-

- #### Part 1 — General

-

- **1.01 Section Includes**

- Standard scope of work for the material. No EPD-specific changes.

-

- **1.02 Related Sections**

- Standard cross-references. Add:

- - "Section 01 81 13 — Sustainable Design Requirements" (if the project has a sustainability section)

-

- **1.03 References**

- Standard material references PLUS:

- - ISO 14025, Environmental labels and declarations — Type III environmental declarations — Principles and procedures

- - ISO 21930, Sustainability in buildings and civil engineering works — Core rules for environmental product declarations of construction products and services (for North American EPDs)

- - EN 15804+A2, Sustainability of construction works — Environmental product declarations — Core rules for the product category of construction products (for European EPDs, if applicable)

- - ISO 14044, Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Requirements and guidelines

-

- **1.04 Submittals**

- Add the following to standard submittal requirements:

-

- ```

- D. Environmental Product Declarations:

- 1. Submit product-specific Type III Environmental Product Declaration (EPD)

- conforming to ISO 14025 and ISO 21930.

- 2. EPD shall be published by a program operator accredited per ISO 14025,

- including but not limited to: UL Environment, NSF International,

- SCS Global Services, Environdec (International EPD System), IBU, or

- ASTM International.

- 3. EPD shall be current and valid at the time of submittal. Expired EPDs

- are not acceptable.

- 4. EPD shall be third-party verified by an independent verifier approved

- by the program operator.

- 5. Industry-average or sector EPDs are acceptable only when a product-specific

- EPD is not available for the specified product category. Submit documentation

- demonstrating unavailability.

- 6. EPD shall report environmental impacts for life cycle stages A1 through A3

- (raw material supply, transport to manufacturer, manufacturing) at minimum.

- ```

-

- **1.05 Quality Assurance**

- Add:

-

- ```

- C. Environmental Performance Verification:

- 1. Manufacturer shall demonstrate that the supplied product meets the maximum

- GWP thresholds specified in Part 2.

- 2. If the product is sourced from a different manufacturing plant than the one

- covered by the submitted EPD, provide documentation that the EPD is

- representative of the actual production facility.

- ```

-

- **1.06 Sustainability Requirements** (new article — add if not already in the section)

-

- ```

- A. Environmental Product Declaration Requirements:

- 1. Provide products with Type III Environmental Product Declarations meeting

- the requirements of Article 1.04.D.

- 2. Maximum Global Warming Potential (GWP):

- a. [Product]: [VALUE] kg CO2e per [DECLARED UNIT], measured for life cycle

- stages A1 through A3.

- 3. GWP shall be calculated in accordance with ISO 21930 and reported using

- characterization factors from IPCC AR5 or later.

-

- B. LEED Documentation (if applicable):

- 1. Provide EPD documentation in format required for LEED v4.1 MRc2 credit

- submission.

- 2. Coordinate with Owner's LEED consultant for documentation requirements.

- ```

-

- **1.07 Delivery, Storage, and Handling**

- Standard. No EPD-specific changes.

-

- **1.08 Warranty**

- Standard. No EPD-specific changes.

-

- #### Part 2 — Products

-

- **2.01 Manufacturers**

- Standard manufacturer list with "or approved equal" language. Add:

-

- ```

- B. All manufacturers shall provide a current, valid Type III EPD meeting the

- requirements of Article 1.04.D. Manufacturers unable to provide a conforming

- EPD are not acceptable.

- ```

-

- **2.02 Materials/Products**

- Standard material specifications. No EPD-specific changes.

-

- **2.03 Environmental Performance Requirements** (new article)

-

- ```

- A. Maximum Global Warming Potential (GWP):

- 1. [Product]: Maximum [VALUE] kg CO2e per [DECLARED UNIT], for life cycle

- stages A1 through A3 (raw material supply, transport, manufacturing).

- 2. GWP value shall be as reported in the product-specific EPD submitted

- under Article 1.04.D.

-

- B. Additional Environmental Performance (if applicable):

- 1. Recycled Content: Minimum [VALUE] percent by weight, post-consumer and

- pre-consumer combined.

- 2. Regional Materials: Preference shall be given to products manufactured

- within [DISTANCE] miles of the project site.

- ```

-

- **2.04 Finishes**

- Standard. No EPD-specific changes.

-

- **2.05 Accessories**

- Standard. No EPD-specific changes.

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- #### Part 3 — Execution

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- Standard execution language for the material. No EPD-specific additions. Follow the same pattern as `/as:spec-writer`:

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- - 3.01 Examination

- - 3.02 Preparation

- - 3.03 Installation

- - 3.04 Quality Assurance

- - 3.05 Cleaning and Protection

-

- ### Step 3: Add LEED language (if applicable)

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- If the user mentions LEED v4.1, add a dedicated LEED section at the end of the specification:

-

- ```

- ## Appendix — LEED v4.1 MRc2: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization

-

- ### Option 1 — Environmental Product Disclosure (1 point)

- Use at least 20 permanently installed products sourced from at least five different

- manufacturers that have Type III EPDs conforming to ISO 14025.

-

- Products with product-specific EPDs: 1 product = 1 product count

- Products with industry-wide (generic) EPDs: 1 product = 0.5 product count

-

- ### Option 2 — Environmental Product Optimization (up to 2 points)

- Products that demonstrate impact reduction below baseline:

- - Products with EPDs showing impact reduction compared to industry average

- earn additional credit

- - Third-party verified product-specific EPDs preferred

- - Whole-building life cycle assessment (WBLCA) per ISO 14044 may be used

- as an alternative compliance path

-

- ### Documentation Requirements

- 1. Maintain a product EPD log tracking all qualifying products

- 2. For each product, document: manufacturer, product name, EPD registration

- number, program operator, GWP (A1-A3), and declared unit

- 3. Submit EPD log to LEED reviewer as part of MRc2 credit documentation

- ```

-

- ### Step 4: Add spec notes

-

- Apply `[REVIEW REQUIRED]` flags when:

-

- - GWP thresholds are based on industry baselines rather than project-specific targets

- - The section covers life-safety materials (firestopping, fire-rated assemblies)

- - Performance criteria are assumed

-

- Apply `[VERIFY THRESHOLD]` flags when:

-

- - GWP values are industry baselines that should be confirmed with current data

- - Declared units need confirmation for the specific product being specified

-

- ### Step 5: Write output

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- Compile all sections into a single `.md` file organized by division number.

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- **Default output path**: `./epd-specs-[project-slug].md`

-

- - Derive `[project-slug]` from the project name or type (lowercase, hyphenated)

- - If no project name: `epd-specs-draft.md`

- - If the user says it's final: `./deliverables/epd-specs-[project-slug].md`

- - If no client context: keep it in the working directory (the default path above)

- - Ask the user if they want a different path

-

- **File structure:**

-

- ```markdown

- # EPD Specifications — [Project Name]

-

- Generated: [date]

- Project Type: [type]

- Divisions: [count]

- Sections: [count]

- LEED Target: [if applicable]

-

- ---

-

- ## Division 03 — Concrete

-

- ### Section 03 30 00 — Cast-in-Place Concrete

-

- #### Part 1 — General

- ...

-

- #### Part 2 — Products

- ...

- #### Part 3 — Execution

- ...

- ---

- ## Division 05 — Metals

- ### Section 05 12 00 — Structural Steel Framing

- ...

- ```

- ### Step 6: Summary

- After writing the file, report:

- ```

- EPD specifications written: X sections across Y divisions

- Output: [file path]

- GWP thresholds set:

- - 03 30 00 Concrete: 350 kg CO2e/m3 (user-provided)

- - 05 12 00 Steel: 1.16 kg CO2e/kg (AISC Fabricated Hot-Rolled Structural Sections EPD, 2021) [VERIFY THRESHOLD]

- Sections flagged for review: [count]

- - [list flagged sections]

- ```

- ## Writing Style

- - Use specification language throughout: "shall", "provide", "verify", "submit", "conform to"

- - Write in imperative mood, third person

- - Do not use contractions

- - Do not use first person ("we", "our")

- - Capitalize "Architect", "Owner", "Contractor", "Installer" when referring to project roles

- - Reference standards by full designation on first use, abbreviated thereafter

- - Use "approved equal" rather than "or equal"

- - Measurements in imperial units unless the user specifies metric

- - GWP values always include the unit (kg CO2e) and declared unit (per m3, per kg, per m2)

- ## Edge Cases

- - **Single material**: Generate one section. Still include the full three-part structure.

- - **No GWP threshold provided**: Use a published baseline only if you can cite named source + publication year (flag `[VERIFY THRESHOLD]`); otherwise ask the user to provide an EPD, run `/as:epd-research`, or state a specific threshold. If the user asks to proceed without data, use `[THRESHOLD TBD]` placeholders and flag every one.

- - **Materials outside common EPD divisions**: Some materials (Division 10 specialties, Division 12 furnishings) rarely have EPDs. Note: "EPDs are uncommon for this product category. Consider requiring manufacturer environmental data sheets as an alternative submittal."

- - **Mixed metric/imperial**: GWP declared units follow industry convention — concrete in kg CO2e/m3, steel in kg CO2e/kg. Don't convert these to imperial.

- - **Multiple concrete mixes**: Create separate GWP thresholds per strength class (3000, 4000, 5000 PSI) if the user specifies different mixes.

- - **LEED + non-LEED sections**: If some materials are for LEED credit and others aren't, include EPD submittal requirements for all but only add LEED documentation language where applicable.

- ## GWP Baseline Policy

- This policy is shared by all four EPD skills (`epd-parser`, `epd-research`, `epd-compare`, `epd-to-spec`) and must read identically in each. Industry-average GWP baselines are allowed only when cited with a named source and publication year (e.g., "NRMCA Industry-Wide Member EPD v3.2, 2022" or "AISC Fabricated Hot-Rolled Structural Sections EPD, 2021"). Uncited baseline numbers recalled from memory or training data are banned. If no source-and-year citation is available, ask the user to provide a baseline EPD or find one with `/as:epd-research` — never guess a baseline.

- ## Notes

- - **This skill generates spec language, not EPD records.** It reads from conversation context or a validated local EPD CSV but writes `.md` specification files.

- - **Pair with `/as:spec-writer` for complete specs.** This skill adds EPD/sustainability requirements to specific sections. The general `/as:spec-writer` produces full outline specs without EPD language. For a complete specification package, use both.

- - **Baselines follow the GWP Baseline Policy above.** Cited source + publication year required; uncited from-memory numbers banned. EC3 API integration is in progress and will automate baseline lookups.

- - **Buy America / regional sourcing**: Some projects (federal, state-funded) require domestic materials. The regional materials preference in Part 2 can be strengthened to a requirement if needed.

- ## Final Step: Disclaimer + Marker (required)

- This skill produces regulatory output. End every report this skill produces — printed in chat or saved to a file — with the canonical disclaimer block from `rules/professional-disclaimer.md`, followed by one blank line and the machine-readable marker, exactly as shown:

- ```markdown

- > **Disclaimer:** This is an AI-generated analysis for preliminary planning purposes. All findings must be verified by a licensed professional before use in design, permitting, or regulatory submissions.

- <!-- architecture-studio:requires-disclaimer -->

- ```

- The marker is a single end-of-file sentinel — it appears exactly once, as the last line of the report. The `post-write-disclaimer-check` hook parses saved `.md` reports for the marker and blocks the write if the canonical disclaimer block is missing.