| name | epd-to-spec |
| description | Generate CSI-formatted specification sections requiring EPDs and setting maximum GWP thresholds. References ISO 14025, ISO 21930, EN 15804. |
| allowed-tools | ["Read","Write","Edit","Bash","Glob","Grep","AskUserQuestion","mcp__google-sheets__get_sheet_data","mcp__google-sheets__list_sheets"] |
/epd-to-spec — EPD Specification Writer
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 /spec-writer.
Project Dossier
If PROJECT.md exists in the working directory, read it before fetching — the Decisions index may already hold GWP threshold or material choices the spec must reflect. After completing, append chosen thresholds to its Code section. Update values in place (the dossier holds current state, not history), every entry with a source and date. A GWP threshold is a decision — if one was set here, propose recording it with /decision. No PROJECT.md? Skip silently — or mention /project-dossier init if the user is clearly starting a project.
Input
The user provides one or more of:
- Material list with GWP limits — "concrete max 350 kg CO2e/m3, rebar max 1.0 kg CO2e/kg"
- EPD data from the sheet — "use the EPDs I saved to set thresholds"
- Comparison report — "use the lowest GWP from my last comparison as the max"
- LEED target — "we're pursuing LEED v4.1 MRc2 Option 2"
- Verbal description — "write EPD requirements for a ground-up office, concrete and steel structure, curtain wall"
- Project type — helps determine which CSI divisions need EPD language
If the user invokes the skill without input, ask:
- What materials need EPD requirements? (paste a list, reference the sheet, or describe the project)
- Do you have specific GWP thresholds, or should I use industry baselines?
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 sheet value, or industry baseline
- Declared unit — must match the unit used in the GWP threshold
If the user provided EPD sheet data or a comparison report, extract the GWP values and declared units from there.
If no GWP thresholds are specified, do not use approximate baselines. Instead, ask the user:
"I need GWP thresholds to write the spec. You can provide them by:
- Sharing an EPD — I'll extract the GWP value and declared unit
- Using
/epd-research — I'll find EPDs for your material categories
- Using
/epd-compare — compare products and pick a threshold from the results
- 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 hardcoded numbers. Write the spec with [THRESHOLD TBD] placeholders if the user asks to proceed without data, and flag every placeholder clearly.
Report the mapping:
Identified X materials across Y divisions:
- 03 30 00 Cast-in-Place Concrete: GWP max 350 kg CO2e/m3
- 05 12 00 Structural Steel Framing: GWP max 1.16 kg CO2e/kg [VERIFY THRESHOLD]
- 07 21 00 Thermal Insulation: GWP max 1.2 kg CO2e/kg [VERIFY THRESHOLD]
Ask: "Does this mapping look correct? Any thresholds to adjust?"
Step 2: Generate specification sections
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.
Part 3 — Execution
Standard execution language for the material. No EPD-specific additions. Follow the same pattern as /spec-writer:
- 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)
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
Compile all sections into a single .md file organized by division number.
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 no client context:
./deliverables/
- Ask the user if they want a different path
File structure:
# 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
- 05 12 00 Steel: 1.16 kg CO2e/kg [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: Do not use approximate baselines. Ask the user to provide an EPD, run
/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.
Notes
- This skill generates spec language, not data. It reads from the EPD sheet or conversation context but writes
.md specification files.
- Pair with
/spec-writer for complete specs. This skill adds EPD/sustainability requirements to specific sections. The general /spec-writer produces full outline specs without EPD language. For a complete specification package, use both.
- No hardcoded baselines. Never use approximate GWP baselines from training data. Always require the user to provide an EPD or a specific threshold. 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.
