Boubts about the SSc5 Credit Island Reduction

Maria Peralta

Energy Consultant - LEED AP BD+C

ECOPENTA

LEEDuser Basic Member

3 thumbs up

Project location :

Spain

May 29, 2019

I am wirting to enquire about a project wich I am carryng out.

The doubt is about the credit (SSc5) "Heat Island reduction".

To achieve this credit we will choose the Option 1 that requires to verify the following equation:

Area of nonroof measures/0,5 + Area of high reflectance roof/0,75 + Vegetated roof/0,75 >/= Total site paving area + Total roof area

So:

- Area of nonroof measures: we understand that these are strategies outside of the roof area.

- Area of high reflectance roof: these are all the roof materials that achieve a SRI higher than the table indicates.

- Area of vegetated roof: the vegetal roof.

- Total site paving area: paved area.

-Total roof area: it is assumed that for get this area must be discounted the m2 that involve solar panels and mechanical equipments: then, we discounted the m2 that correspond to the solar panels, but we have a doubt about the mechanical equipment room.

This mechanical equipment room doesnt have a common cover, it just has metalic slats that are open, so more than a cover its just a shadow element.

Thus, I don't know If I have to count this as a high reflectant area, cause its slats, or as a mechanical equipment room at the roof an discount it to the total roof area indeed.

I will we very thankfull if you can help me.

Looking forward an answer.

Thank you in advance.

Post a reply

David Posada

Integrated Design & LEED Specialist

SERA Architects

LEEDuser Expert

1361 thumbs up

Wed, 05/29/2019 - 23:34

Maria, You are right that the solar panels and mechanical equipment should be subtracted from the roof area. My understanding is if the mechanical equipment is being screened or only partially covered (such as with a grille or slats) you could subtract that from the roof area. I think if the equipment is in some way exposed to the air above it it can be excluded from the roof area, but if the equipment is inside a room or area with a roof - something that keeps the rain off - then it would not be excluded.

Maria Peralta

Energy Consultant - LEED AP BD+C

ECOPENTA

LEEDuser Basic Member

3 thumbs up

Thu, 05/30/2019 - 11:07

David, Thankyou for replying. Yes, the equipments are inside a room with a slats cover, , so according to what you have told me, I understand that I have to consider this equipment room in the roof area, and take into account the slats cover in the high reflectance roof area, in the case it has the correct SRI indicated in the table of the credit. Thank you very much.