Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.1

Inquiry

Our project is a laboratory building. There are two basic types of spaces in our building. A large portion of the building is laboratory space, served by 100% outside air systems, with high ventilation rates. Additionally, there are office areas, which use typical office HVAC systems, with some return air recirculation. We will provide CO2 sensors on the systems serving the office spaces, in compliance with the requirements of this credit. Our question concerns the spaces with 100% outside air. Specifically, do we need to provide CO2 sensors in the lab spaces served by 100% outside air systems? If so, where would we put them to meet the requirements of the credit? Because of the high air change rates required, we cannot foresee a situation where C02 levels would ever exceed the CO2 differentials listed in the reference standard. We believe the high ventilation rates achieve the intent of the credit for these spaces. Furthermore, we note that a previous credit interpretation exempted kitchen areas from the C02 monitoring requirements.