Hi all, we have a contradiction here between gross floor area of the energy modeling and the PIF2, in PIF2 we calculated the gross floor area as stated in GBCI :
""" Project square footage for certification fee pricing should be based upon the definition of Gross Floor Area which is provided in the LEED 2009 MPR Supplemental Guidance:
Sum of the floor areas of the spaces within the building, including basements, mezzanine and intermediate‐floored tiers, and penthouses with headroom height of 7.5 ft (2.2 meters) or greater. Measurements must be taken from the exterior faces of exterior walls OR from the centerline of walls separating buildings, OR (for LEED CI certifying spaces) from the centerline of walls separating spaces. Excludes non‐enclosed (or non‐enclosable) roofed‐over areas such as exterior covered walkways, porches, terraces or steps, roof overhangs, and similar features. Excludes air shafts, pipe trenches, and chimneys. (Based on ASHRAE definition)
However, all parking areas (whether underground, structured, or at grade) should be excluded from the square footage calculations used to determine the certification fee. Other spaces such as common areas, mechanical spaces, and circulation should be included in the gross square footage of the building."""
However the areas submitted in the EA P2 and C1 are of the total gross floor area including the parking underground floors. So, we have now 2 areas : one area of the certification fees excluding parking floors, and another area of the energy modeler including the parking floors.
Anybody knows what shall we do? which area is correct to be stated in PIF2 and what about the certification fee
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
August 9, 2012 - 9:59 am
When you fill out the form for EAp2 you will enter the area by space type in Table EAp2-1. Include the parking garage there as it must be modeled. The gross square footage and the net square footage should not vary by more than 5% or so without further explanation for the energy model. In PIF2 enter the square footage as required above. I think this is what is used to determine the certification fee but I am not certain. So just explain any major deviation to the reviewer in a narrative.
Diaa Madkour
Architect39 thumbs up
August 23, 2012 - 4:32 am
Thank you Marcus,
We received a reply from GBCI for such query with same concept of explaining the difference in a narrative.
David Posada
Integrated Design & LEED SpecialistSERA Architects
LEEDuser Expert
1980 thumbs up
September 6, 2012 - 2:13 pm
Marcus and Diaa,
This has confused alot of people - in PI Form 2 the note under Total Gross Square Footage/ Gross Floor Area says to "exclude all parking area whether structured, underground or at grade," but in some projects that area is within the envelope and like you said is being modeled.
We had a 2.2 project review delayed because the gross square footage included structured parking that was within the building so GBCI calculated a higher certification fee than had been submitted. GBCI advised us to reduce the gross sf to exclude the parking to generate the correct certification fee.
Version 2009 tells us in PIF2 to exclude the parking area, but indicates this number is linked to EAp2 and EAc1 which contributes to this confusion. I'm assuming that this lower gross sf number (w/o parking) gets shown in EAp2 and EAc1 but not used for calculations....?
Marcus - do you know if the EAp2 and EAc1 forms will work ok if you have structured parking to model but it's pulling in a gross sf number from PIf2 that excludes the parking?
Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
September 7, 2012 - 9:50 am
I stated that the parking area must be included in the model. In PIf2 enter the square footage as required (my "above" could be confusing). I was not saying to include the parking in PIf2.
Yes the GSF in PIf2 shows up on the EAp2 form but it does not affect the function of the form. The reviewers check this against the modeled sf. The space summary table in the form is where you can show differences and potentially explain any differences in the sf numbers.