10 feet ... but not one, straight line

The IEQc3.5 credit language specifies "in the primary direction of travel," so this should work fine as long as the perpendicular route is in the line of travel, i.e. that someone entering the building basically has no choice but to walk the full 10 feet. If they could cut a corner and walk only 5 or 8 feet of it, I might have concerns.

No, I don't know of any specific requirements. The key thing would be whether the mat was made for that purpose and is effective in the building.

Hi Tristan, Along the lines of the mat requirements Jared mentioned, I cannot find anywhere under the EBOM system the requirement for the carpet system to be certified by the Carpet & Rug Institute - is that low emitting flooring/carpets credit not applicable for Exiting Buildings? Would installing new matting that is certified and/or increased to ten feet qualify for EBOM 2009 IEQ1.5 as an alteration (adding the extra feet) or as an addition (getting new carpet that is certified by the CRI or equivalent). I know there needs to be an additional trade change besides just the matting...thanks!

Use of carpeting that meets CRI Green Label standards is actually rewarded elsewhere in EBOM, specifically under MRc3 - Sustainable Purchasing, Facility Alterations and Additions. Replacement of carpeting in a project building alone would not meet the LEED definition of "facility alteration or addition"; a renovation project must employ more than one trade, so for example, painting and new carpeting could qualify a project for MRc3 (and MRc9). Any project can attempt EQc1.5, because all that credit requires is that you develop an Construction IAQ Management Plan for future renovation projects. If you also attempt MRc3, you'll need to explicitly document that your Plan was executed throughout the performance period to meet the compliance criteria. As far as EQc3.5 goes, the key requirement for entryway systems is that the material used is classified as a walk-off mat surface. There are some carpet materials available that may meet this criteria; however, whether or not the carpet is CRI Green Label certified would have no bearing on compliance with EQc3.5.

Jarod, Was your perpendicular strategy approved?Thanks!