Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.2

Inquiry

Our project team wants to verify an acceptable compliance path for achieving the EQp1 Minimum IAQ Performance in a mid-rise apartment project with recirculating kitchen exhaust and operable windows. We understand that the ASHRAE 62.1 standard was written to mainly apply to commercial buildings, and we seek to clarify how the standard can be applied to multi-family residential projects. Table 6-4 Minimum Exhaust rates in ASHRAE 62.1 shows "kitchenettes" as requiring an exhaust rate of 0.3 cfm/ft2, a requirement which is clearly not met if the residential kitchens have recirculating exhaust. However, it unclear whether this table is meant to apply to "residential" kitchenettes, as the standard does not present this one way or another. In the past, we have successfully submitted this prerequisite using the requirements outlined by ASHRAE 62.1 for common areas (mechanically ventilated) and a matrix outlining that each unit type will meet the requirement with operable windows (demonstrating that each unit has the required operable area to meet the natural ventilation requirements). We would like to know whether it is acceptable to submit for this prerequisite using table E-2 Outdoor Air Requirements for Ventilation for Residential Facilities as a reference for residential kitchens rather than Table 6-4. Table E-2 shows kitchen as requiring 100CFM intermittent OR "openable windows". It seems clear that kitchens that are within 25\' of a window with adequate area are able to comply with this requirement. Our question pertains to kitchens where windows are farther away from these windows. Our interpretation of the code 5.1.1 reading "Where interior spaces (in this case, kitchens) without direct openings to the outdoors are ventilated through adjoining rooms, the opening between rooms shall be permanently unobstructed and have a free area of not less than 8% of the area of the interior room nor less than 25 ft2 (2.3 m2)" is that using operable windows in adjoining rooms to meet the kitchen ventilation requirement is acceptable if the opening between the spaces meets that requirement. Can these kitchen areas comply with the prerequisite, or will they have to duct their exhaust to the exterior?