I am exploring the point at which a light rail station becomes eligible for LEED certification under LEEDv4. It was slightly clearer in the MPRs for 2009, but not entirely. Does anyone have thoughts on whether the following are necessary for LEED eligibility now?
- A conditioned space like a bathroom
- A conditioned space that meets the definition of regularly occupied - i.e. beyond a bathroom or staff break room
- Occupancy by at least one staff/employee for an eight hour period. What would happen if occupancy by staff was in less than an hour chunks spread out over 24 hours of operations? What if it totaled .5 FTE?
- No staff occupancy but visitors using conditioned restroom.
I think you get the idea. Is the answer as simple as - as long as you can meet the prereqs and earn enough points? If so, what is your opinion on whether regularly occupied condition space is necessary for energy and ventilation prerequisites?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Ray Nolasco
LEED AP BD+CMZ and Partners
July 12, 2016 - 1:18 am
LEED V4 has already compressed its minimum program requirements into three. Some of the MPRs in version 2009 are transferred to prerequisites in V4. Regarding the occupancy, space considerations and FTEs, the current version has clearly indicated the necessary approach and proper calculation needed for certain situations in the "getting started" section of the reference guide. For instance, part-time employees will be calculated by adding their working hours and dividing it by 8.
Elizabeth Powers
PrincipalO'Brien360
47 thumbs up
July 12, 2016 - 12:45 pm
Thanks Ray. I have done a good amount of research and don't think my question is actually clearly answered in the materials published by USGBC or LEED User yet. Would love to hear how you interpret things and what you think the answer is. If you have time and want to discuss offline, I'd love to pick your brain.