ASHRAE 90.1 Exit signs - Mandatory Provisions

There are no listed exemptions to this mandatory provision.

Sorry, but we had the same experiance. I think you have to change. Maybe you take a look at Gessler. They have brilliant documentation. (I should carry to their account one day).

According to ASHRAE 90.1-2007 Section 9.1.1, Exception (a) (“emergency lighting that is automatically off during normal building operation”) it should be exempted from the Section 9 in general (Including mandatory provisions).

If some building feature is not in scope of the ASHRAE 90.1-2007 standard, is it still requested as mandatory requirement for LEED?

An answer to this last comment about exceptions would be very important and extremely interesting. Since in the project exit signs are part of emergency lights and according to local codes they are automatically off during normal building operation and automatically turned on in case of emergence, then we also assumed that it is exempted from Section 9. We are looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you in advance.

I suppose if the local code says the exit signs are off during normal building operation then you could make the case for this blanket exemption.

In the US exit signs are required to be illuminated 24/7 so they are never exempt.

Martin,

If a building feature that impacts energy use is not covered by 90.1 it still must included in the energy models for LEED according to Appendix G and the prequisite/credit language. All energy use within and associated with the project must be included. So this is a requirement but not necessarily a mandatory provision as defined by 90.1. Even if you make the case that the exit signs are exempt from section 9 they must be included in the energy models.

Hi! We have already submitted a CIR for this issue concerning the exemption from Section 9 Mandatory provisions, but your answer is definitely helpful and positive. Even if we are exempted we will include it in the energy model. Thank you very much!

Marcus,

Thanks for clarifications. I also think it should be somehow included in energy simulation as requested by EAp2/c1. I would model it like this, in both proposed and baseline model:

- no lighting energy cost - exit sign lighting schedule is continuously off during the normal building operation; the only time when is on is during testing once per year or in case of electricity shortage and both cases can be neglected

- process load – electricity cost for covering losses in UPS (jumps in during electricity shortages)

However it is modeled I would say it is easier to include it in energy model than to change lighting design/installations. CIR will definitely put some new ideas for non-US projects.