Hi all,
I'm working on a project that includes a fitness center. We assume occupants will enjoy calisthenics or running on treadmills within the space - both activities throw this message in CBE Thermal Comfort Tool (Metabolic rates below 1.0 or above 2.0 are not covered by this Standard). Has anyone had a project with a fitness or gym that this achieved credit for these spaces by simply providing a narrative that indicates thermal design compliance is not possible within these space types due to the metabolic rates exceeding what ASHRAE 55-2010 covers?
Tyler Thumma
7GroupLEEDuser Expert
54 thumbs up
April 15, 2020 - 1:53 pm
Here is the language from the reference guide:
ASHRAE 55–2010, Normative Appendix A, permits use of a time-weighted average metabolic rate over a period of an hour or less. Any space with a rate of 2.0 MET or less must be addressed using standard compliance methods. Although the ASHRAE standard does not apply where the time-averaged metabolic rate is above 2.0 MET, thermal comfort in these spaces must still be addressed. For spaces with a rate above 2.0 MET, address how the project meets the intent of the credit. ISO 7730–2005 addresses metabolic rates up to 4.0 MET.
I would also check out LEED Interpretation 10279 (https://www.usgbc.org/leedaddenda/10279) which does not officially apply to LEED v4 but would likely be accepted.