Hi,
I have a LEED project that is split up into 3 separate blocks. Each block is made up of mainly office space. On the ground floor there is retail units. In selecting the correct baseline system I have used Table G3.1.1A and G3.1.1B. Using the building type, number of floors etc I have determined that the most suitable baseline is System 7. This is assigned to the whole building including the retail within the baseline model. Can the retail use the same baseline as I see a note under Table G3.1.1A which states "Where attributes make a building eligible for more than one baseline system type, use the predominant condition to determine the system type for the entire building" . Is one system type for the entire baseline building the correct approach ?
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5931 thumbs up
January 11, 2017 - 10:17 am
The one system type may apply in your situation or it might not. Make sure to follow the guidance in Section G3.1.1 and not just in the tables G3.1.1A/B. The retail space in your case may qualify for one of the G3.1.1 exceptions. If any exceptions apply you must include them in your model. Be sure to model the baseline with a system per floor and not the same as the proposed design. This can get complicated in some cases but in your case it seems pretty simple.
Ciaran McCabe
DirectorPassive Dynamics Sustainability Consultants
12 thumbs up
January 11, 2017 - 1:31 pm
Thanks Marcus for your reply. After reading the exceptions 3 of the 4 definitely do not apply. I don't think point (B) applies either because I don't think that the thermal loads in the retail will differ by 31 W/m2 from the average of the other spaces (offices). Retail will have higher occupancy hours per week but not by a factor of 40 hours as referenced with this exception (b). Would I be right in saying this exception directed more towards spaces that operate almost 24/7 ?
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5931 thumbs up
January 16, 2017 - 11:43 am
That certainly could be the case.