Hello - I'm working on a commercial project that has an outdoor terrace on the second floor. Building occupants can use the terrace for outdoor seating and there will be a firepit. I submitted a question to GBCI customer service and was provided guidance that this outdoor space would need a permanent entryway systems. This is different than the informal guidance for LEEDv2009. GBCI's guidance is below. Has anyone received similar or different guidance from GBCI?
It appears that the project would likely need to provide entryway systems at the terrace entrance in order to meet the requirements of this credit. The intent of providing entryway systems is to reduce the amount of contaminants tracked into the occupied space. Outdoor terraces, balconies and decks are directly exposed to outdoors and will therefore collect dust and contaminants. If the building entrances from such spaces will be regularly used, then these entrances must have entryway systems for credit compliance.
According to the LEED glossary (https://www.usgbc.org/glossary/39#letterr), 'regularly used exterior entrance' is defined as 'a frequently used means of gaining access to a building. Examples include the main building entrance as well as any building entryways attached to parking structures, underground parking garages, underground pathways, or outside spaces. Atypical entrances, emergency exits, atriums, connections between concourses, and interior spaces are not included.
Dustin Norton
Sustainability Program ManagerPrimus Design Services, LLC
40 thumbs up
December 28, 2018 - 9:16 am
This has been the guidance that I've gotten consistently throughout v2009 and now v4. Is your argument that, while occupants can utilize the space (and thus the entryway) they won't be doing it often enough to consider it "regularly used?" I could see that argument if the terrace space was to only be utilized in special scenarios (such as large events) or similar, but otherwise I don't think GBCI will buy that. The only real exclusion to the entryway system requirement that I'm aware of is for loading docks (in which case, the entryway system would need to be between the loading dock area and any neighboring space).