I'm working on certification for a higher education building. We've done many LEED certified buildings on campus under previous versions, but this is our first v4 project. As I understand, ASHRAE 90.1-2010 has a mandatory provision for dimming site lighting when unoccupied. The university sees this as a security concern and due to previous assaults on campus is not willing to do this. Since this is a mandatory provision, does this relatively small item mean that the building cannot be certified? Unfortunately, If this is true the university will likely drop LEED altogether from future campus projects.
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Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5909 thumbs up
October 18, 2018 - 4:13 pm
This might be exempted under 9.1.1c (connectin to the building electrical service) or maybe 9.1.1 Exception c (campus lighting requirement) since 9.4.1.7 only applies if 9.1 applies. Although I would encourage you to seek a reconciling solution instead of an exception. Dimming is not required by 9.4.1.7, it requires a 30% reduction which is pretty easy to do with step controls for LEDs. Couple that with motion sensors (9.4.1.7c.2) and you get energy savings, as good or even better security, and you meet the mandatory provision. Perhaps this should be viewed as an opportunity instead of an insurmountable problem.