We are working on a project with two stages. The first stage is a shell building, the second stage is a tenant finish-out.
The HVAC system is part of the tenant finish-out stage. The tenant asks that the shell building be LEED certified. Is it possible to LEED certify a building with no HVAC system? No matter how thick the walls, it won't use any energy! Applied to EA prerequisite 1 - what is there to commission if there is no HVAC?
Since fundamental commissioning is a prerequisite, is this a showstopper?
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11477 thumbs up
November 20, 2011 - 11:17 pm
Lawrence, please see LEEDuser's guidance on Cx for a "cold, dark shell" at the bottom of the Bird's Eye View tab above. And I apologize for the slow response to your question.
Jalal Avades
PresidentAGR Consulting, LLC
16 thumbs up
August 16, 2012 - 11:38 pm
So, if my C&S project was to install Roof Top Units but without electrical connection (or ductwork) at this stage, we are exempt to report anything about these RTU's? also, in my project, all we have the elctricity connected to are the exterior lights, and the rest of the systems (HVAC/interior Lighting/Water Heaters) would be part of the future T.I.
all I have to report is the Cx of the exterior lighting, correct?
Rodrigo Gomez Junco
LEED AP BD+CSINERGI Integrated Building Sciences, LLC
December 23, 2013 - 5:17 pm
Hi,
I’m going through this same situation. I know it’s an old thread but it didn’t really clear it up for me. Is basic lighting equipment enough to purse fundamental commissioning and not be considered as a “cold, dark shell”?
Thanks,
Rodrigo
Scott Bowman
LEED FellowIntegrated Design + Energy Advisors, LLC
LEEDuser Expert
519 thumbs up
December 26, 2013 - 4:06 pm
The Reference Guide has pretty good direction on this (page 229 of BD+C), not so much related to defining “Cold and Dark”, but indicating that in a CS project, not all systems will be installed, or can be made fully functional. I think the Cx report should clearly state what is installed for future tenants, if installed, how functional it is, what is not installed, and how this was addressed in the systems. You cannot test what is not installed or what is not connected.
They use the example of a VAV unit where the AHU is installed, but no terminal boxes. In this case, the test would need to be modified such that what is installed can be tested as much as possible. Pressure control of the fan would not be possible in this case. So if you only have lighting controls, then that is what you should test.
Rodrigo Gomez Junco
LEED AP BD+CSINERGI Integrated Building Sciences, LLC
January 6, 2014 - 10:28 am
Thanks for your response Scott, that clears things up.
Rodrigo