Automatic Receptacle Controls in 'open offices'

Project location: United States

November 29, 2018

Kavita Karmarkar

Architectural Designer
Perkins Eastman

LEEDuser Basic Member

Project location: United States

November 29, 2018

The following process load requirement for Automatic Receptacle controls mentions 'open office'.

"At least 50% of all 125 volt 15 and 20 Amper receptacles installed in private offices, open offices, and computer classrooms shall be controlled by an automatic device which functions on a scheduled basis, an occupant sensor, or a signal from another control system that indicates the area is unoccupied, in accordance with Section 8.4.2."

Is there a definition anywhere which will clarify what constitutes as an open office? We are a library project where we have an open plan with book stacks, reading tables and computer tables etc. Would this requirement be applicable here?

Thanks!!

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Marcus Sheffer

LEED Fellow
7group / Energy Opportunities

LEEDuser Expert

5909 thumbs up

November 29, 2018 - 10:31 am

I don't think a library would be considered an open office. Did you look at the definitions in 90.1 to see if this is covered?

Kavita Karmarkar

Architectural Designer
Perkins Eastman

LEEDuser Basic Member

November 29, 2018 - 11:32 am

Hi Marcus,

I looked in the 'definitions, abbreviations and acronyms' section in the ASHRAE 90.1-2013 read-only version I found online. Is there another place that I should look at?

Thank you.

Marcus Sheffer

LEED Fellow
7group / Energy Opportunities

LEEDuser Expert

5909 thumbs up

November 29, 2018 - 11:43 am

So if it is not defined by the standard it is up to the user and the adopting authority to define a particular term. An open office to me is a whole series of cubicles where an office function is being performed. A library will have an office or two but the rest of the building is clearly not an office. People in the library do not come there and spend all day there. They don't have a more or less permanent place there.