In a LEED CS 2009 building energy simulation we are modeling the building envelope to test performance (only the building envelope). It is a 10-story building with 2 glass façades with high-performance glass system and well-insulated opaque façades. The first 2 stories will be owner-occupied and the rest will be rented. But the model so far is failing because the slabs (levels 4-10) are being modeled as they will be left by the developer (concrete slabs) without considering that in the future the tenants will build their fit-out (including false ceilings, flooring systems, etc.), which will add insulation value to the slabs; at the end, this is likely to make our project pass the building envelope test.
Since the fit-outs are not part of the developer’s scope, but will be built by the tenants, would this be acceptable in the energy simulation model with the appropriate narratives?
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Marcus Sheffer
LEED Fellow7group / Energy Opportunities
LEEDuser Expert
5899 thumbs up
September 27, 2011 - 10:10 pm
The slabs would not be insulated by a drop ceiling or floor finish. They would be insulated as a part of the exterior wall assembly. So is the issue between floors or the slab conducting to the exterior? If between floors one would assume the tenant spaces are fully conditioned so there would be no losses between those floors unless there were different conditions.
If you model the building as required from an energy perspective it is fully occupied and fitted out with equipment. You don't model part of the building as unoccupied and unconditioned.