Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED O+M: Existing Buildings, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell, LEED BD+C: Schools

Rating System Version

v3 - LEED 2009, v3 - LEED 2008, v2 - Schools 2007, v2 - LEED 2.2, v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

The project is a four level public parking ramp that is an independent building from but serves several floors of condominiums and a 24 hour operated casino, which makes the parking ramp a 24 hour occupied structure. There are no exterior walls on the ramp with the exception of floor to ceiling structural columns on a 24\' by 56\' grid. The fixtures are mounted at 11\' above the finished floor and placed within 10\' of the edge of the decks with a glare shield to reduce light spill out from the ramp. The LEED interior lighting requirements state that "The angle of maximum candela for each interior luminaire as located in the building shall intersect opaque building interior surfaces and not exit out through the windows." We have no windows on the parking structure and no other way to prevent light from escaping from the structure on the sides where it does not directly abut another building. We are asking for an interpretation as to whether this is considered an interior or an exterior lighting application? A ruling will help us determine if we will be able to pursue a LEED credit for light pollution reduction on this project.