Rating System

LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors, LEED BD+C: Retail

Rating System Version

v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

Many space types will not function as regularly-occupied private/individual or multi-occupant spaces, nor will those spaces be utilized for extended periods of time (such as kitchen/break room, meeting room, or conference room). Some unique and smaller (less than 200 SF) programmed space types are infrequently occupied (less than 1 hour) and by only one or a few people at a time. One exception to the credit requirement that "private offices" must have active controls is granted in LEED Interpretation #1645 and clarified in the IDC Reference Guide 2009 Edition, which states that "small private spaces intended for single, temporary occupancy (e.g. for making confidential telephone calls) may be included as part of a larger thermal zone, since changes in occupancy will not cause large swings in the heating and cooling loads." Given the credit intent to reduce energy in occupied spaces and the ruling of LEED Interpretation #1645, we propose to expand the definition for small, temporarily-occupied spaces in two ways: 1. For laboratory buildings/spaces, where loads are typically based on equipment loads, we propose a more specific addition to the definition of Special Occupancy to include spaces that are less than or equal to 200 SF and occupied by two or fewer people for short periods of time. 2. For all project types, we propose an expanded definition of Special Occupancy to include spaces with equal or less than 300 cfm, per ASHRAE 90.1-2007 definition of small zones. ASHRAE 90.1-2007 defines small zones as those with less than 300 cfm, as referenced in Sections 6.3.2.n Criteria, 6.4.3.4.3 Shutoff Damper Controls, and 6.5.2.1.a.4 Simultaneous Heating and Cooling Limitation - Zone Controls. In both of these cases, we propose the space types described above be considered Special Occupancy spaces that may be included as part of a larger thermal zone. Are these definitions acceptable?