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Credit language
Requirements
Provide places of respite that are accessible to patients and visitors, equal to 5% of the net usable program area of the building.
Provide additional dedicated places of respite for staff, equal to 2% of the net usable program area of the building.
Places of respite must be outdoors, or be located in interior atria, greenhouses, solaria, or conditioned spaces; such interior spaces may be used to meet up to 30% of the required area if 90% of each qualifying space’s gross floor area achieves a direct line of sight to unobstructed views of nature.
All areas must meet the following requirements:
- The area is accessible from within the building or located within 200 feet (60 meters) of a building entrance or access point.
- The area is located where no medical intervention or direct medical care is delivered.
- Options for shade or indirect sun are provided, with at least one seating space per 200 square feet (18.5 square meters) of each respite area, with one wheelchair space per five seating spaces.
- Horticulture therapy and other specific clinical or special-use gardens unavailable to all building occupants may account for no more than 50% of the required area.
- Universal-access natural trails that are available to visitors, staff, or patients may account for no more than 30% of the required area, provided the trailhead is within 200 feet (60 meters) of a building entrance.
Additionally, outdoor areas must meet the following requirements:
- A minimum of 25% of the total outdoor area must be planted with a diversity of adapted or native vegetation types or have overhead vegetated canopy. Monocultures, such as conventional grass lawns or turfgrass, do not count towards this requirement.
- The area is open to fresh air, the sky, and the natural elements.
- Signage must meet the 2010 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities (Section 1.2-6.3 and Appendix A1.2-6.3:Wayfinding).
- Places of respite may not be within 25 feet (7.6 meters) of a smoking area (see EQ Prerequisite Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control).
Existing places of respite on the hospital campus may qualify if they otherwise meet the credit requirements.
Canada ACP
Projects in Canada may consider CSA Z8000 - Canadian Health Care Facilities - Planning, Design and Construction (Sections 6.1.9 and 6.2.2 Wayfinding) as an equivalent to meeting the 2010 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities (Section 1.2-6.3 and Appendix A1.2-6.3:Wayfinding) for the signage requirement of this credit.
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Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
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Addenda
4/9/2021 – Updated: 4/20/2021
Rating System Correction
Description of change: Revise the below SS credit intents as follows:
SSp Construction Activity Pollution Prevention
"To reduce pollution from construction activities by controlling soil erosion, waterway sedimentation, and airborne dust that disproportionately impact frontline communities."
SSc Site Assessment
"To assess site conditions, environmental justice concerns, and cultural and social factors, before design to evaluate sustainable options and inform related decisions about site design."
SSc Rainwater Management
"To reduce runoff volume and improve water quality by replicating the natural hydrology and water balance of the site, based on historical conditions and undeveloped ecosystems in the region to avoid contributing to flooding downstream in frontline communities."
SSc Heat Island Reduction
"To minimize inequitable effects on microclimates and human, especially frontline communities, and wildlife habitats by reducing heat islands."
SSc Places of Respite
"To provide patients, all staff, and visitors with the health benefits of the natural environment by creating outdoor places of respite on the healthcare campus."
SSc Direct Exterior Access
"To provide patients, all staff, and visitors with the health benefits of the natural environment by creating outdoor places of respite on the healthcare campus."
Internationally Applicable: No
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