Bill Swanson
PE, LEED AP BD+C
Integrated Design Solutions
Sr. Electrical Engineer
EBOM-2009 SSc8: Light pollution reduction 1 point
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To minimize light trespass from the building and site, reduce sky-glow to increase night sky access, improve nighttime visibility through glare reduction and reduce development impact from lighting on nocturnal environments.Requirements
Project teams must comply with the interior lighting requirement AND 1 of the 3 options for exterior lighting.For interior lighting
All nonemergency built-in luminaires with a direct line of sight to any openings in the envelope (translucent or transparent, wall or ceiling) must be automatically controlled to turn off during all after-hours periods during the performance period. The total duration of all programmed after-hours periods annually must equal or exceed 2,190 hours per year (50% of annual nighttime hours). Manual override capability may be provided for occasional after-hours use. Implement a program to ensure that the lighting control system is being properly used to adjust lighting levels during all after-hours periods.For exterior lighting
Option 1
If the project is certified under LEED for Schools or New Construction, show that SS Credit 8: Light Pollution Reduction was earned. If the project is certified under LEED for Core & Shell Development and 75% of the floor area is LEED for Commercial Interiors, show that SS Credit 8: Light Pollution Reduction was earned for both systems.OR
Option 2
Partially1 or fully shield2 all exterior fixtures 50 watts and over so that they do not directly emit light to the night sky.Option 3
Measure the night illumination levels at regularly spaced points around the perimeter of the property, taking the measurements with the building’s exterior and site lights both on and off. The building’s interior lights must be in the same state during both measurements. At least 8 measurements are required at a maximum spacing of 100 feet apart (30 meters), so as to be representative of the illumination levels at the perimeter of the property. The illumination level measured with the lights on must not be more than 20% above the level measured with the lights off. This requirement must be met for each measurement point; averaging of all points is prohibited.
1The requirement to use ASHRAE Addenda is unique to this credit and does not obligate Project teams to use ASHRAE approved addenda for other credits.
2 To be LZ4, the area must be so designated by an organizations with local jurisdiction, such as the local zoning authority.
Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)
[view:embed_resource=page_1=4649824] See all forum discussions about this credit »Frequently asked questions
If we have exterior lighting fixtures over 50 watts with occupancy sensors, can these fixtures be excluded from the shielding requirements of Option 2?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 treat lighting in the covered portion of an exterior parking garage? Do you follow the interior lighting requirements or the exterior lighting requirements?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.) |
Are we required to include city-owned and controlled lighting with our exterior lighting fixtures?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’re pursuing Option 3 for exterior lighting and the difference in illumination is greater than 20% so we don’t comply. In this case, can we pursue the illumination requirements for the applicable lighting zone (similar to LEED-NC)? For example if weThe 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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LEEDuser overview
Frank advice from LEED experts
LEED is changing all the time, and every project is unique. Even seasoned professionals can miss a critical detail and lose a credit or even a prerequisite at the last minute. Our expert advice guides our LEEDuser Premium members and saves you valuable time.
For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium
Already a premium member? Log in now
Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To minimize light trespass from the building and site, reduce sky-glow to increase night sky access, improve nighttime visibility through glare reduction and reduce development impact from lighting on nocturnal environments.Requirements
Project teams must comply with the interior lighting requirement AND 1 of the 3 options for exterior lighting.For interior lighting
All nonemergency built-in luminaires with a direct line of sight to any openings in the envelope (translucent or transparent, wall or ceiling) must be automatically controlled to turn off during all after-hours periods during the performance period. The total duration of all programmed after-hours periods annually must equal or exceed 2,190 hours per year (50% of annual nighttime hours). Manual override capability may be provided for occasional after-hours use. Implement a program to ensure that the lighting control system is being properly used to adjust lighting levels during all after-hours periods.For exterior lighting
Option 1
If the project is certified under LEED for Schools or New Construction, show that SS Credit 8: Light Pollution Reduction was earned. If the project is certified under LEED for Core & Shell Development and 75% of the floor area is LEED for Commercial Interiors, show that SS Credit 8: Light Pollution Reduction was earned for both systems.OR
Option 2
Partially1 or fully shield2 all exterior fixtures 50 watts and over so that they do not directly emit light to the night sky.Option 3
Measure the night illumination levels at regularly spaced points around the perimeter of the property, taking the measurements with the building’s exterior and site lights both on and off. The building’s interior lights must be in the same state during both measurements. At least 8 measurements are required at a maximum spacing of 100 feet apart (30 meters), so as to be representative of the illumination levels at the perimeter of the property. The illumination level measured with the lights on must not be more than 20% above the level measured with the lights off. This requirement must be met for each measurement point; averaging of all points is prohibited.
1The requirement to use ASHRAE Addenda is unique to this credit and does not obligate Project teams to use ASHRAE approved addenda for other credits.
2 To be LZ4, the area must be so designated by an organizations with local jurisdiction, such as the local zoning authority.
Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)
[view:embed_resource=page_1=4649824] See all forum discussions about this credit »Checklists
Step by step to LEED certification
LEEDuser’s checklists walk you through the key action steps you need to earn a credit, including how to avoid common pitfalls and save money.
For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium
Already a premium member? Log in now
Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium
Already a premium member? Log in now
Frequently asked questions
If we have exterior lighting fixtures over 50 watts with occupancy sensors, can these fixtures be excluded from the shielding requirements of Option 2?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 treat lighting in the covered portion of an exterior parking garage? Do you follow the interior lighting requirements or the exterior lighting requirements?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.) |
Are we required to include city-owned and controlled lighting with our exterior lighting fixtures?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’re pursuing Option 3 for exterior lighting and the difference in illumination is greater than 20% so we don’t comply. In this case, can we pursue the illumination requirements for the applicable lighting zone (similar to LEED-NC)? For example if weThe answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Guest expert
Bill Swanson
PE, LEED AP BD+C
Integrated Design Solutions
Sr. Electrical Engineer