I am working on a retail project with three restaurant spaces. I got a comment below from the LEED reviewer.
"The General HVAC and Air-Side HVAC tabs indicate that system type 6: Packaged VAV with PFP Boxes is the only system type
in the Baseline model of the main building; however, it appears that this building includes spaces (such as restaurant/cafeteria
space, etc.) that may meet the requirements of exception (b) to Section G3.1.1, which require an additional system type to be
reflected in the Baseline model. An additional system type must be reflected in the Baseline model if an exception to Section
G3.1.1 is met. If exception (b) to Section G3.1.1 is met, revise the Baseline model of the main building to include an appropriate
additional system type for space where required. In addition, update the General HVAC and Air-Side HVAC tabs and provide
the SV-A report reflecting the changes."
Are the exceptions mandatory? Since I am getting unmet hours when I am claiming the exception, can I not claim it?
Saif Alsaeed
May 23, 2020 - 1:43 pm
Yes they are required, refer to General HVAC tab row 49
"All applicable baseline exceptions to G3.1.1 have been implemented. Note that these exceptions are required, not optional"
Unmet hours are not related to the additional systems. Section G3.1.2.2 explains more about the unmet hours.
I think if you can show that the thermal load and the schedules of the restaurant does not meet the requirements of exception (b) you can keep the model with one system.
Cam Fitzgerald
3 thumbs up
May 26, 2020 - 2:50 pm
Hi Jonathan, Siaf is correct.
If the project includes other space types (offices, other retail, etc), this comment is not unusual. Note that the internal gains at cooling design conditions include all internal gains (people, equipment, lighting, and ventilation loads), and usually spaces such as kitchen, dining room, auditorium, etc. often qualify based on the load and/or schedule difference.
If an alternate system is not required, your response should clearly indicate why and include calculations.
Cam