Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell, LEED BD+C: Schools

Rating System Version

v3 - LEED 2009, v2 - Schools 2007, v2 - LEED 2.2, v2 - LEED 2.1, v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

This CIR is in reference to FTE calculations for a multi-floor hotel in a high-density urban setting. FTE calculation for full-time and part-time employees of the hotel can be calculated using actual numbers. Transients as defined by the USGBC are visitors to a building for less than 7 hours. However, this does not always apply to the variable number of guests or the variable amount of time guests will stay in a hotel on a daily basis. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is the sole national representing body of all sectors in the lodging industry. The AH&LA has lodging occupancy tracked on a weekly basis (research performed by Smith Travel Research). The AH&LA 2006 annual report calculates the year-end lodging occupancy at 63.4%. In a CIR request dated 10/27/2005 (ruling dated 12/9/2005), occupancy for residential projects allows for FTE calculations based on number of bedrooms: 2 regular occupants for a one-bedroom unit, 3 for a two-bedroom unit, and so on. Therefore, since occupancy rates are highly variable for hotels, can FTE be calculated based on the number of rooms x average occupancy/room (e.g. 2) in a hotel multiplied by an average lodging occupancy percent (per the AH&LA) to obtain the transient occupant calculation? For example: 200 units x 2 guests/unit = 400 total guests; 400 guests x 60% (average of the AH&LA information) = 240 calculated transient occupants. This number would then be the transient occupant count added to the calculated FTE of employees for the occupant value for LEED calculations.