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LEED v4.1
Healthcare
Sustainable Sites
Direct exterior access

LEED CREDIT

Healthcare-v4.1 SSc8: Direct exterior access 1 point

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Credit language

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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Provide direct access to an exterior courtyard, terrace, garden, or balcony. The space must be at least 5 square feet (0.5 square meters) per patient for 75% of all inpatients and 75% of qualifying outpatients whose clinical length of stay (LOS) exceeds four hours.

Patients whose length of stay exceeds four hours, and whose treatment makes them unable to move, such as emergency, stage 1 surgical recovery, and critical care patients, may be excluded.

Places of respite outside the building envelope that meet the requirements of SS Credit Places of Respite that are immediately adjacent to clinical areas or with direct access from inpatient units may be included.

Qualifying spaces must be designated as nonsmoking. The spaces must also be located more than 100 feet (30 meters) from building exhaust air locations, loading docks, and roadways with idling vehicles.

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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.

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Addenda

4/21/2023Updated: 5/9/2023
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Revise the last paragraph under Requirements to read as:

"Qualifying spaces must be designated as nonsmoking. The spaces must also be located more than 100 feet (30 meters) from building exhaust air locations, loading docks, and roadways with idling vehicles."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/9/2021Updated: 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."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
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USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Provide direct access to an exterior courtyard, terrace, garden, or balcony. The space must be at least 5 square feet (0.5 square meters) per patient for 75% of all inpatients and 75% of qualifying outpatients whose clinical length of stay (LOS) exceeds four hours.

Patients whose length of stay exceeds four hours, and whose treatment makes them unable to move, such as emergency, stage 1 surgical recovery, and critical care patients, may be excluded.

Places of respite outside the building envelope that meet the requirements of SS Credit Places of Respite that are immediately adjacent to clinical areas or with direct access from inpatient units may be included.

Qualifying spaces must be designated as nonsmoking. The spaces must also be located more than 100 feet (30 meters) from building exhaust air locations, loading docks, and roadways with idling vehicles.

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