At the bottom of the page, insert the footnote text "?If the common hallways are pressurized with respect to the residential units then doors in the residential units leading to the common hallways need not be weather-stripped provided that the positive differential pressure is demonstrated as in Option 2, Case 1 above, considering the residential unit as the smoking room.
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Option 1
Locate tenant space in a building that prohibits smoking by all occupants and users, within 25 feet (8 meters) of entries, outdoor air intakes and operable windows.OR
Option 2CASE 1. Non-residential projects
Confirm that smoking is prohibited in the portions of the tenant space not designated as a smoking space, all other building areas served by the same HVAC system, and the common areas used by occupants. Ensure that ETS cannot migrate by either mechanical or natural ventilation from other areas of the building.If the occupants are permitted to smoke, provide one or more designated smoking rooms designed to contain, capture and remove ETS from the building. At a minimum, each smoking room must be directly exhausted to the outdoors, with no recirculation of ETS-containing air to nonsmoking areas, enclosed with impermeable deck-to-deck partitions, and operated at a negative pressure compared with surrounding spaces of at least an average of 5 Pa (0.02 inches of water gauge) and with a minimum of 1 Pa (0.004 inches of water gauge) when the doors to the smoking rooms are closed.Verify performance of the smoking rooms’ differential air pressures by conducting 15 minutes of measurement, with a minimum of 1 measurement every 10 seconds, of the differential pressure in the smoking room with respect to each adjacent area and in each adjacent vertical chase with the doors to the smoking room closed. Conduct the testing with each space configured for worst-case conditions of transport of air from the smoking rooms (with closed doors) to adjacent spaces.CASE 2. Multi-unit residential buildings
Minimize uncontrolled pathways for ETS transfer between individual residential units by sealing penetrations in walls, ceilings, and floors in the residential units and by sealing vertical chases adjacent to the units.Weather-strip all doors in the residential units leading to common hallways to minimize air leakage into the hallway1.Demonstrate acceptable sealing of residential units by a blower door test conducted in accordance with ANSI/ASTM-E779-03, Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization. Projects outside the U.S. may use a local equivalent to ANSI/ASTM-E779-03, Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate By Fan Pressurization. [Europe ACP: Blower Door]Use the progressive sampling methodology defined in Chapter 7 (Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) Required Verification and Diagnostic Testing) of the California Low Rise Residential Alternative Calculation Method Approval Manual. Projects outside the U.S. may use a local sampling methodology, whichever is more stringent. Residential units must demonstrate less than 1.25 square inches of leakage area per 100 square feet (8 square centimeters of leakage per 10 square meters) of enclosure area (i.e., sum of all wall, ceiling and floor areas).
1 If the common hallways are pressurized with respect to the residential units then doors in the residential units leading to the common hallways need not be weather-stripped provided that the positive differential pressure is demonstrated as in Option 2, Case 1 above, considering the residential unit as the smoking room.
Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)
Europe ACP: ANSI/ASTM-E779-03
Projects in Europe may use CEN Standard EN 13829:2002 Thermal Performance of buildings – Determination of air permeability of buildings – Fan pressurization method.[view:embed_resource=page_1=4887984] See all forum discussions about this credit »What does it cost?
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Do I have to provide a designated smoking area?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
How can I prohibit smoking 25 feet from the entrance of my project when it is a zero lot line and its entrance abuts a public sidewalk?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
How do you calculate the 25 ft. rule from designated smoking areas to building openings?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Addenda
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Below the hyperlink of the second standard provided, insert the hyperlink http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/2005standards/residential_acm/index.html
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
10/1/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Add the following after the first sentence of the fourth paragraph: "Projects outside the U.S. may use a local sampling methodology, whichever is more stringent."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In the third line of the paragraph, remove the text ", found at (http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24_1998_standards/residential_acm/CHAPTER0...)." so the text becomes "...Approval Manual."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
10/1/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Add the following to the end of the third paragraph: "Projects outside the U.S. may use a local equivalent to ANSI/ASTM-E779-03, Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate By Fan Pressurization."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Remove the heading "CASE 1. Non-Residential Projects"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Below the "OPTION 2" heading, insert the heading "CASE 1. Non-Residential Projects"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
At the end of the second line in the second paragraph, insert the footnote symbol "?" so the text becomes "... hallway.?"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/8/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Insert the term "Tenant space" in alphabetical order with the accompanying text "Tenant space is the area within the LEED project boundary. For more information on what can and must be in the LEED project boundary see the Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs) and LEED 2009 MPR Supplemental Guidance. Note: tenant space is the same as project space."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
In the third line of the paragraph, remove the text ", found at (http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24_1998_standards/residential_acm/CHAPTER0...)." so the text becomes "...Approval Manual."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
At the bottom of the page, insert the footnote text "?If the common hallways are pressurized with respect to the residential units then doors in the residential units leading to the common hallways need not be weather-stripped provided that the positive differential pressure is demonstrated as in Option 2, Case 1 above, considering the residential unit as the smoking room.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
10/1/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Add the following after the first sentence of the fourth paragraph: "Projects outside the U.S. may use a local sampling methodology, whichever is more stringent."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
11/2/2009 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In the footnote that references Figure 2 on page 295 of IEQp2, at the end the text add the following:"This information is subject to change based on the ongoing indoorsmoking legislation of each state."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Remove the heading "CASE 1. Non-Residential Projects"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Below the "OPTION 2" heading, insert the heading "CASE 1. Non-Residential Projects"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
At the end of the second line in the second paragraph, insert the footnote symbol "?" so the text becomes "... hallway.?"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
12/19/2007
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
The project is submitting under LEED-CI V2.0 for a tenant space renovation. The building that the tenant occupies is smoke free, except for a bar & restaurant. There was a recent city ordinance passed to ban smoking at all bars & restaurants by July 2008. The building management has also required this tenant to ban smoking by this date per city ordinance, making the building completely smoke free. Would a letter indicating future compliance by the tenant, along with documentation of the city ordinance fulfill the requirements of this prerequisite? Also, if the entrance to this building is on public property, and the current ordinance prohibits smoking only 15\' away from entrances, instead of 25\' as required per LEED, will the project still comply with the intent of the credit?
Ruling:
The CIR is inquiring whether proof of future compliance would be acceptable to meet the prerequisite and whether prohibiting smoking within 15 feet from entrances would meet the intent of the credit. Future compliance for this prerequisite would not meet the intent, which is to prevent or minimize exposure of tenant space occupants, indoor surfaces, and systems to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS). If smoking in a space is allowed for an extended period of time, this extends the timeframe over which occupants, systems, and surfaces within these spaces will be exposed to ETS. Materials which absorb ETS will off-gas after the smoking itself ceases, further extending the exposure timeframe. Limiting smoking to 15 feet from entrances instead of 25 feet would not meet the credit requirement. The project should prohibit smoking within 25 feet from building entrances, to the extent possible, in order to meet the credit requirements. If the applicant does not have the authority to prohibit smoking within 25 feet of the entrance, signage should be posted requesting that people do not smoke within 25 feet of the entrance. Applicable Internationally.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
8/14/2003
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
The City of Charlottesville is currently in the process of planning a multi-use transit center for which we are pursuing a Silver LEED accreditation. The multi-use facility in design will include the shell for installation of a restaurant on the upper floor of the building. Locating a restaurant at this site is ideal in marketing terms due to the popularity of the surrounding areas and the high quality of restaurants already in the area. The restaurant space will, of course, be required to comply with all credits pursued by our organization, as described in our application. With a grand total of 23, 295 sq ft of enclosed space in the multi-use facility, 15,795 sq ft of that will be designated non-smoking and the remaining portion, confined to the restaurant\'s enclosed space will be isolated through the use of negative pressure ventilation and an isolated HVAC system that effectively eliminates any contamination of restaurant air with air circulated through the rest of the facility. The fidelity of the isolation measures will be tested in compliance with methods described in ASHRAE Standard 129-1997 (Smoking Room Testing). Will the ratio of 15,795 sq ft enclosed non-smoking space : 23,295 sq ft total enclosed space be sufficient to qualify for the ETS pre-requisite? In other words, will a smoking room that comprises a fair percentage of the building\'s total floor space be within the letter of the pre-requisite given full compliance with isolated ventilation requirements?
Ruling:
The prerequisite requires, "Zero exposure of nonsmokers to ETS by prohibition of smoking in the building, OR, provide a designated smoking room designed to effectively contain, capture and remove ETS from the building". The CIR narrative implies that the entire restaurant is being treated as a smoking room. While this approach will prevent building occupants in other spaces within the building from tobacco smoke exposure, it does not protect non-smoking restaurant patrons from smoke within the space. If smoking cannot be prohibited in the restaurant, the project team and owner may wish to consider creating a fully contained smoking section within the facility that meets the requirements set forth under the prerequisite. Applicable Internationally.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/2/2018
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
Inquiry:
Is the smoking of cannabis covered under the Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control prerequisite?
Ruling:
Yes, smoking of cannabis is considered a form of smoking for the purposes of both the interior and exterior smoking provisions of the LEED Prerequisite Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control.
Secondhand cannabis smoke has been shown to contain many of the same chemicals and carcinogens as secondhand tobacco smoke [1].
[1] Moir D, Rickert WS, Levasseur G, et al. A Comparison of Mainstream and Sidestream Marijuana and Tobacco Cigarette Smoke Produced under Two Machine Smoking Conditions. American Chemical Society. 2008;21:494-502.
Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/14/2006
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
How are balconies to be addressed within the multi-unit residential compliance path presented by the 12/3/03 NCv2.1 CIR and NCv2.2 Option 3? And how are balconies treated within the option for prohibiting smoking? The credit requirements are not clear in this regard.
Ruling:
Any potential smoking outdoors must be addressed in regards to secondhand smoke exposure. Balconies are automatically considered smoking areas unless smoking on them is prohibited (by the building manager in the case of a leased apartment; by the initial HOA Rules and Regulations in the case of a condominium). For any compliance path, if a balcony does not comply with the requirements for exterior smoking areas (at least 25 feet away from entries, operable windows and outdoor air intakes), smoking must be prohibited on the balcony. LEED projects registered before September 4, 2006, will not be held to this interpretation, but are encouraged to do so. This ruling reflects the original intent of the IEQ Technical Advisory Group and is considered consistent with the non-residential compliance paths and with the mission of green building. The ruling is also considered reasonable because eighty percent of the U.S. population does not smoke.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
8/4/2009
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
The project team plans to meet the intent of Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control through the use of "Smoking Cabins" and requests an exception to the technical requirements indicated to meet the intent. The smoking cabin is in full compliance with the requirements for ETS Control Systems GS-BGIA-M14 of BGIA (German Institute for Occupational safety and health), soon to be ground for the CEN European standard for Non-smoker protection. It has already been integrated in the law for non smoker protection of some European countries, like Austria. The BGIA tests control how a given cabin limits and eliminates tobacco related particles and gases. The smoking cabin is a small free-standing kind of smoking room, open or closed, where a high air flow ensures immediate capture of all tobacco smoke before it is dispersed in the cabin (contrary to a smoking room where all smoke spreads in the room before being ventilated). Immediate capture (vs ventilation) is a standard technology used in many other industries. The smoke is then purified through a combination of high standards particle filters and active coal gas filters, leaving no traces of tobacco specific particles or gases (cf GS-BGIA-M14). Cabins can be open or closed. The result is the disappearance of all tobacco specific particles and gases under detection level. The following guarantees to reach the intent of ETS Control, even though the technical approach is different: 1. Efficient capture of the smoke is guaranteed by very high air flow, (minimum of 200m3/h per smokers, and 3x times the volume of the cabin per minute), to ensure immediate capture of the smoke before it totally mixes with the air in the cabin. The capture efficiency and the no contamination of adjacent area is tested and proven by BGIA GS-BGIA-M14. 2. Recycling, elimination of particles: particles are removed through the use of absolute filters level HEPA14 -ULPA 15, purifying up to 99,9995% of the MPPS (Most Penetrating Particles - 0,1
Ruling:
The project is requesting an alternative compliance pathway for EQp2: ETS Control, by using indoor smoking cabins with in situ filtration. While air cleaning and dilution ventilation have been found to be helpful in improving visibility and reducing irritation in rooms with tobacco smoking, neither air cleaning nor dilution ventilation have been shown to provide acceptable indoor air quality from a health perspective (e.g. lung cancer, cardiovascular disease etc.). For these reasons, this approach does not meet the intent of the prerequisite and will not be accepted. Applicable Internationally; Germany.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/1/2014
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
Are electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) covered under the Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control prerequisite?
Ruling:
Yes, electronic cigarettes are considered a form of smoking for the purposes of both the interior and exterior smoking provisions of the LEED Prerequisite Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control. As recommended in the December 2013 report[1] prepared for the World Health Organization, “e-cigarettes should be prohibited anywhere where the use of conventional cigarettes is prohibited”. The indoor air quality impacts from electronic cigarettes are not fully characterized, but there is sufficient evidence that electronic cigarettes produce emissions in fine aerosol form that can expose building occupants. For example, according to the report, “several chemicals that have been found in e-cigarette aerosol and e-liquid are on California’s official list of known human carcinogens or reproductive toxicants, including nicotine, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, nickel, lead, toluene(1)”.
[1] Background Paper on E-cigarettes (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems); Grana, R.; Benowitz, N.; Glantz, SA; December 2013; University of California
Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Option 1
Locate tenant space in a building that prohibits smoking by all occupants and users, within 25 feet (8 meters) of entries, outdoor air intakes and operable windows.OR
Option 2CASE 1. Non-residential projects
Confirm that smoking is prohibited in the portions of the tenant space not designated as a smoking space, all other building areas served by the same HVAC system, and the common areas used by occupants. Ensure that ETS cannot migrate by either mechanical or natural ventilation from other areas of the building.If the occupants are permitted to smoke, provide one or more designated smoking rooms designed to contain, capture and remove ETS from the building. At a minimum, each smoking room must be directly exhausted to the outdoors, with no recirculation of ETS-containing air to nonsmoking areas, enclosed with impermeable deck-to-deck partitions, and operated at a negative pressure compared with surrounding spaces of at least an average of 5 Pa (0.02 inches of water gauge) and with a minimum of 1 Pa (0.004 inches of water gauge) when the doors to the smoking rooms are closed.Verify performance of the smoking rooms’ differential air pressures by conducting 15 minutes of measurement, with a minimum of 1 measurement every 10 seconds, of the differential pressure in the smoking room with respect to each adjacent area and in each adjacent vertical chase with the doors to the smoking room closed. Conduct the testing with each space configured for worst-case conditions of transport of air from the smoking rooms (with closed doors) to adjacent spaces.CASE 2. Multi-unit residential buildings
Minimize uncontrolled pathways for ETS transfer between individual residential units by sealing penetrations in walls, ceilings, and floors in the residential units and by sealing vertical chases adjacent to the units.Weather-strip all doors in the residential units leading to common hallways to minimize air leakage into the hallway1.Demonstrate acceptable sealing of residential units by a blower door test conducted in accordance with ANSI/ASTM-E779-03, Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate by Fan Pressurization. Projects outside the U.S. may use a local equivalent to ANSI/ASTM-E779-03, Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate By Fan Pressurization. [Europe ACP: Blower Door]Use the progressive sampling methodology defined in Chapter 7 (Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) Required Verification and Diagnostic Testing) of the California Low Rise Residential Alternative Calculation Method Approval Manual. Projects outside the U.S. may use a local sampling methodology, whichever is more stringent. Residential units must demonstrate less than 1.25 square inches of leakage area per 100 square feet (8 square centimeters of leakage per 10 square meters) of enclosure area (i.e., sum of all wall, ceiling and floor areas).
1 If the common hallways are pressurized with respect to the residential units then doors in the residential units leading to the common hallways need not be weather-stripped provided that the positive differential pressure is demonstrated as in Option 2, Case 1 above, considering the residential unit as the smoking room.
Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)
Europe ACP: ANSI/ASTM-E779-03
Projects in Europe may use CEN Standard EN 13829:2002 Thermal Performance of buildings – Determination of air permeability of buildings – Fan pressurization method.[view:embed_resource=page_1=4887984]XX%
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Do I have to provide a designated smoking area?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
How can I prohibit smoking 25 feet from the entrance of my project when it is a zero lot line and its entrance abuts a public sidewalk?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
How do you calculate the 25 ft. rule from designated smoking areas to building openings?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
We have a strict no-smoking policy and local smoking laws that all our employees are familiar with. Can we skip the signage?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Does this prerequisite apply to e-cigarettes? What about marijuana?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
At the bottom of the page, insert the footnote text "?If the common hallways are pressurized with respect to the residential units then doors in the residential units leading to the common hallways need not be weather-stripped provided that the positive differential pressure is demonstrated as in Option 2, Case 1 above, considering the residential unit as the smoking room.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Below the hyperlink of the second standard provided, insert the hyperlink http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24/2005standards/residential_acm/index.html
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
10/1/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Add the following after the first sentence of the fourth paragraph: "Projects outside the U.S. may use a local sampling methodology, whichever is more stringent."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In the third line of the paragraph, remove the text ", found at (http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24_1998_standards/residential_acm/CHAPTER0...)." so the text becomes "...Approval Manual."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
10/1/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Add the following to the end of the third paragraph: "Projects outside the U.S. may use a local equivalent to ANSI/ASTM-E779-03, Standard Test Method for Determining Air Leakage Rate By Fan Pressurization."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Remove the heading "CASE 1. Non-Residential Projects"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Below the "OPTION 2" heading, insert the heading "CASE 1. Non-Residential Projects"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
At the end of the second line in the second paragraph, insert the footnote symbol "?" so the text becomes "... hallway.?"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/8/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Insert the term "Tenant space" in alphabetical order with the accompanying text "Tenant space is the area within the LEED project boundary. For more information on what can and must be in the LEED project boundary see the Minimum Program Requirements (MPRs) and LEED 2009 MPR Supplemental Guidance. Note: tenant space is the same as project space."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
In the third line of the paragraph, remove the text ", found at (http://www.energy.ca.gov/title24_1998_standards/residential_acm/CHAPTER0...)." so the text becomes "...Approval Manual."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
At the bottom of the page, insert the footnote text "?If the common hallways are pressurized with respect to the residential units then doors in the residential units leading to the common hallways need not be weather-stripped provided that the positive differential pressure is demonstrated as in Option 2, Case 1 above, considering the residential unit as the smoking room.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
10/1/2012 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Add the following after the first sentence of the fourth paragraph: "Projects outside the U.S. may use a local sampling methodology, whichever is more stringent."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
11/2/2009 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In the footnote that references Figure 2 on page 295 of IEQp2, at the end the text add the following:"This information is subject to change based on the ongoing indoorsmoking legislation of each state."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Remove the heading "CASE 1. Non-Residential Projects"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Below the "OPTION 2" heading, insert the heading "CASE 1. Non-Residential Projects"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010 – Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
At the end of the second line in the second paragraph, insert the footnote symbol "?" so the text becomes "... hallway.?"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
12/19/2007
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
The project is submitting under LEED-CI V2.0 for a tenant space renovation. The building that the tenant occupies is smoke free, except for a bar & restaurant. There was a recent city ordinance passed to ban smoking at all bars & restaurants by July 2008. The building management has also required this tenant to ban smoking by this date per city ordinance, making the building completely smoke free. Would a letter indicating future compliance by the tenant, along with documentation of the city ordinance fulfill the requirements of this prerequisite? Also, if the entrance to this building is on public property, and the current ordinance prohibits smoking only 15\' away from entrances, instead of 25\' as required per LEED, will the project still comply with the intent of the credit?
Ruling:
The CIR is inquiring whether proof of future compliance would be acceptable to meet the prerequisite and whether prohibiting smoking within 15 feet from entrances would meet the intent of the credit. Future compliance for this prerequisite would not meet the intent, which is to prevent or minimize exposure of tenant space occupants, indoor surfaces, and systems to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS). If smoking in a space is allowed for an extended period of time, this extends the timeframe over which occupants, systems, and surfaces within these spaces will be exposed to ETS. Materials which absorb ETS will off-gas after the smoking itself ceases, further extending the exposure timeframe. Limiting smoking to 15 feet from entrances instead of 25 feet would not meet the credit requirement. The project should prohibit smoking within 25 feet from building entrances, to the extent possible, in order to meet the credit requirements. If the applicant does not have the authority to prohibit smoking within 25 feet of the entrance, signage should be posted requesting that people do not smoke within 25 feet of the entrance. Applicable Internationally.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
8/14/2003
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
The City of Charlottesville is currently in the process of planning a multi-use transit center for which we are pursuing a Silver LEED accreditation. The multi-use facility in design will include the shell for installation of a restaurant on the upper floor of the building. Locating a restaurant at this site is ideal in marketing terms due to the popularity of the surrounding areas and the high quality of restaurants already in the area. The restaurant space will, of course, be required to comply with all credits pursued by our organization, as described in our application. With a grand total of 23, 295 sq ft of enclosed space in the multi-use facility, 15,795 sq ft of that will be designated non-smoking and the remaining portion, confined to the restaurant\'s enclosed space will be isolated through the use of negative pressure ventilation and an isolated HVAC system that effectively eliminates any contamination of restaurant air with air circulated through the rest of the facility. The fidelity of the isolation measures will be tested in compliance with methods described in ASHRAE Standard 129-1997 (Smoking Room Testing). Will the ratio of 15,795 sq ft enclosed non-smoking space : 23,295 sq ft total enclosed space be sufficient to qualify for the ETS pre-requisite? In other words, will a smoking room that comprises a fair percentage of the building\'s total floor space be within the letter of the pre-requisite given full compliance with isolated ventilation requirements?
Ruling:
The prerequisite requires, "Zero exposure of nonsmokers to ETS by prohibition of smoking in the building, OR, provide a designated smoking room designed to effectively contain, capture and remove ETS from the building". The CIR narrative implies that the entire restaurant is being treated as a smoking room. While this approach will prevent building occupants in other spaces within the building from tobacco smoke exposure, it does not protect non-smoking restaurant patrons from smoke within the space. If smoking cannot be prohibited in the restaurant, the project team and owner may wish to consider creating a fully contained smoking section within the facility that meets the requirements set forth under the prerequisite. Applicable Internationally.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/2/2018
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
Inquiry:
Is the smoking of cannabis covered under the Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control prerequisite?
Ruling:
Yes, smoking of cannabis is considered a form of smoking for the purposes of both the interior and exterior smoking provisions of the LEED Prerequisite Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control.
Secondhand cannabis smoke has been shown to contain many of the same chemicals and carcinogens as secondhand tobacco smoke [1].
[1] Moir D, Rickert WS, Levasseur G, et al. A Comparison of Mainstream and Sidestream Marijuana and Tobacco Cigarette Smoke Produced under Two Machine Smoking Conditions. American Chemical Society. 2008;21:494-502.
Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/14/2006
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
How are balconies to be addressed within the multi-unit residential compliance path presented by the 12/3/03 NCv2.1 CIR and NCv2.2 Option 3? And how are balconies treated within the option for prohibiting smoking? The credit requirements are not clear in this regard.
Ruling:
Any potential smoking outdoors must be addressed in regards to secondhand smoke exposure. Balconies are automatically considered smoking areas unless smoking on them is prohibited (by the building manager in the case of a leased apartment; by the initial HOA Rules and Regulations in the case of a condominium). For any compliance path, if a balcony does not comply with the requirements for exterior smoking areas (at least 25 feet away from entries, operable windows and outdoor air intakes), smoking must be prohibited on the balcony. LEED projects registered before September 4, 2006, will not be held to this interpretation, but are encouraged to do so. This ruling reflects the original intent of the IEQ Technical Advisory Group and is considered consistent with the non-residential compliance paths and with the mission of green building. The ruling is also considered reasonable because eighty percent of the U.S. population does not smoke.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
8/4/2009
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
The project team plans to meet the intent of Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control through the use of "Smoking Cabins" and requests an exception to the technical requirements indicated to meet the intent. The smoking cabin is in full compliance with the requirements for ETS Control Systems GS-BGIA-M14 of BGIA (German Institute for Occupational safety and health), soon to be ground for the CEN European standard for Non-smoker protection. It has already been integrated in the law for non smoker protection of some European countries, like Austria. The BGIA tests control how a given cabin limits and eliminates tobacco related particles and gases. The smoking cabin is a small free-standing kind of smoking room, open or closed, where a high air flow ensures immediate capture of all tobacco smoke before it is dispersed in the cabin (contrary to a smoking room where all smoke spreads in the room before being ventilated). Immediate capture (vs ventilation) is a standard technology used in many other industries. The smoke is then purified through a combination of high standards particle filters and active coal gas filters, leaving no traces of tobacco specific particles or gases (cf GS-BGIA-M14). Cabins can be open or closed. The result is the disappearance of all tobacco specific particles and gases under detection level. The following guarantees to reach the intent of ETS Control, even though the technical approach is different: 1. Efficient capture of the smoke is guaranteed by very high air flow, (minimum of 200m3/h per smokers, and 3x times the volume of the cabin per minute), to ensure immediate capture of the smoke before it totally mixes with the air in the cabin. The capture efficiency and the no contamination of adjacent area is tested and proven by BGIA GS-BGIA-M14. 2. Recycling, elimination of particles: particles are removed through the use of absolute filters level HEPA14 -ULPA 15, purifying up to 99,9995% of the MPPS (Most Penetrating Particles - 0,1
Ruling:
The project is requesting an alternative compliance pathway for EQp2: ETS Control, by using indoor smoking cabins with in situ filtration. While air cleaning and dilution ventilation have been found to be helpful in improving visibility and reducing irritation in rooms with tobacco smoking, neither air cleaning nor dilution ventilation have been shown to provide acceptable indoor air quality from a health perspective (e.g. lung cancer, cardiovascular disease etc.). For these reasons, this approach does not meet the intent of the prerequisite and will not be accepted. Applicable Internationally; Germany.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/1/2014
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:
Are electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) covered under the Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control prerequisite?
Ruling:
Yes, electronic cigarettes are considered a form of smoking for the purposes of both the interior and exterior smoking provisions of the LEED Prerequisite Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control. As recommended in the December 2013 report[1] prepared for the World Health Organization, “e-cigarettes should be prohibited anywhere where the use of conventional cigarettes is prohibited”. The indoor air quality impacts from electronic cigarettes are not fully characterized, but there is sufficient evidence that electronic cigarettes produce emissions in fine aerosol form that can expose building occupants. For example, according to the report, “several chemicals that have been found in e-cigarette aerosol and e-liquid are on California’s official list of known human carcinogens or reproductive toxicants, including nicotine, acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, nickel, lead, toluene(1)”.
[1] Background Paper on E-cigarettes (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems); Grana, R.; Benowitz, N.; Glantz, SA; December 2013; University of California
Campus Applicable
Yes
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
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Virginia Leary
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