The definition of densely occupied spaces is “spaces with a design occupant density of 25 people or more per 1000 sf”. A conference room for example is a room that would have to have CO2 monitors. But this also means that every small meeting room with only two people in it has to have a CO2 monitor too, if the density is like above. But it’s not really reasonable is it? I would say that if it’s a conference room of maybe 10 or 12 people a CO2 monitor would be good, but for just a small conversation room it’s a bit too much? Where should one draw the line? Anyone have experience on which room types should be included? Or do you put monitors in every small meeting room too? Opinions?
You rely on LEEDuser. Can we rely on you?
LEEDuser is supported by our premium members, not by advertisers.
Go premium for
Emily Catacchio
Sustainability SpecialistWight and Company
610 thumbs up
January 25, 2012 - 9:24 pm
Maria,In order for a room designed for two people to require a CO2 sensor it would need to be 80 sq ft or less. Just want to make sure we're clear on that point first.If the spaces are designed as small meeting rooms and they meet the criteria above, then yes they do need CO2 sensors.If the spaces are offices for one peron (who will regularly occupy it) and that person occationally meets with others in their office than they do not need CO2 sensors.Basically it's about the intended use of the space.That being said, CO2 sensors are relatively inexpensive and a good best practice.
Dylan Connelly
Mechanical EngineerIntegral Group
LEEDuser Expert
472 thumbs up
January 27, 2012 - 2:04 pm
Maria,
I ran into a very similar situation. See my comment on June 27th. I don't have an answer yet, as the project is still waiting for LEED review comments. However, we did do a quick energy saving ROI calc and found it would have taken over 100 years! to recoup the costs of installing all those CO2 sensors. The client decided not to put in the C02 sensors.
Maria Porter
Sustainability specialistSkanska Sweden
271 thumbs up
January 30, 2012 - 3:55 am
Dylan
That is very interesting! (I didn't realize that your question was about the same thing). Please do let us know how it turns out. I also have a large amount of smaller “chat-rooms”. Hasn’t anybody tried a CIR? I think that less than 150 sf or 10 people is quite a reasonable limit.
Emmanuel Pauwels
OwnerGreen Living Projects
137 thumbs up
February 7, 2013 - 7:37 am
and what about toilets? Occasionally there will be more then 25p/1000 ft2 but most of the time there is no-one present. When you consider people that "regularly" occupy the space, there are less then 25p/1000ft2. Is it correct to assume that, in the "regular" condition, it is not densily occupied?
Tom Martin
Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting Engineers, LLC7 thumbs up
February 7, 2013 - 9:25 am
Per USGBC's IEQ Space Matrix, restrooms are not required to be considered densely occupied:
http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=10539
David Eldridge
Energy Efficiency NinjaGrumman/Butkus Associates
68 thumbs up
February 13, 2013 - 6:02 pm
Emmanuel -- the restrooms also are likely to have a dedicated exhaust to maintain the required airflow. The potential for multiple people to occupy the space at one time isn't the driver, so CO2 isn't a key measurement.