Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.1, v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

The requirement for this credit states, "Achieve a minimum Daylight Factor of 2% (excluding all direct sunlight penetration) in 75% of all space occupied for critical visual tasks" with the exception of low occupancy areas and spaces where programmed tasks would be hindered by the use of daylight. For an elementary school project, we would like to clarify the following to be able to fully assess our daylighting potential: [1] We are proposing that activities undertaken in both the Gymnasium and the Computer Lab in our elementary school project would be hindered by the use of daylight. Both spaces are used periodically throughout the day. Natural light in the computer lab would compromise overhead lesson presentations and glare on the screens would be distracting to students. It is the opinion of some that daylight would also create a distraction in some of the sports activities to occur in the gymnasium. Can we omit these spaces from our calculations? [2] A Credit Ruling for EQc8.2 dated 10/16/01 stated ". . . the book stack area is exempt from the calculation for views required by EQ Credit 8.2." For Credit 8.1 we would also like to be able to define the critical visual task zone in our Instructional Media Center to not include the stacks area as we feel that this is essentially a support space to the reading and storytelling areas of the library. Please advise if this assumption is acceptable for EQc8.1. [3] The kitchen in our project is to be operated as a "finishing kitchen" with a serving area. Since this area is designed to act as a support space to the Multi-Purpose Room/Cafeteria, are we right to assume that not daylighting this space is acceptable?