I see that this has been asked before and there have been LEED Interpretations (10263) on this topic. But I think they are wrong. Specifically the ruling that says, "Note that only support areas such as copy rooms, storage, mechanical rooms, laundry, and restrooms may be excluded from the regularly occupied square footage."
The inverse of an "occupied space" is a "nonoccupied space"
"Occupied space" is sub-divided into "regularly occupied space" and "non-regularly occupied space". Per the glossary definition, "Occupied spaces are further classified as regularly occupied or nonregularly occupied spaces based on the duration of the occupancy,..."
The inverse of a "regularly occupied space" is a "non-regularly occupied space."
This credit states that 90% of regularly occupied spaces must be compliant. The glossary has a definition of "Regularly occupied spaces".
Flipping the credit language means that up to 10% of non-regularly occupied spaces may not be non-compliant. And the glossary has a definition of "Non-regularly occupied spaces".
"an area that people pass through or an area used for focused activities an average of less than one hour per person per day. The one-hour timeframe is continuous and should be based on the time a typical occupant uses the space. For spaces that are not used daily, the one-hour timeframe should be based on the time a typical occupant spends in the space when it is in use."
The printed user manual's glossary has a definition of "Nonoccupied spaces include all rooms used by maintenance personnel that are not open for use by occupants. Examples are closets and janitorial, storage, and equipment rooms."
The language being enforced "copy rooms, storage, mechanical rooms, laundry, and restrooms" looks like some sort of odd combination of "nonoccupied spaces" and "non-regularly occupied spaces". Storage rooms and mechanical rooms are nonoccupied. Copy rooms, laundry and restrooms are non-regularly occupied spaces. These spaces are occupied, but the duration time is less than 1 hour.
I would also add break rooms as non-regularly occupied space because it is used for less than an hour per person per day.
Bill Swanson
Sr. Electrical EngineerIntegrated Design Solutions
LEEDuser Expert
735 thumbs up
December 26, 2017 - 4:26 pm
I don't think I can edit the original. Should have read it a couple more times.
90% of regularly occupied spaces must have a compliant view to the outside to earn this credit. Occupied spaces are used on average more than 1 hour per day per person.
Non-regularly occupied spaces are excluded. Examples are copy rooms, laundry, restrooms, corridors, active storage, and break rooms. All of these spaces are occupied, but for short periods of time. Less than 1 hour per person per day.
Nonoccupied spaces are also excluded. Examples are storage rooms, janitor closet, and mechanical rooms. These are spaces that are only typically accessed by maintenance personnel and are not open for use by occupants.
I don't understand why official rulings by USGBC and enforced by GBCI consider a break room to be "regularly occupied" since the duration of use is less than 1 hour per day per person.