Hello all - We are working on a juvenile detention center and are trying to find a way to comply with EQc6.2. The project is attempting certification under v4 and I will post a comment in that forum, but I thought it might be helpful to post here as well. v4 requires not only lighting controls but also that they be multi-level (on/off/mid). We are wondering if instead of installing controls in the cell (for safety reasons), the inmates are provided with the option of requesting lighting change from the guard. The guard would have a control panel and be able to adjust the lighting to multiple levels. I know some credits just aren't applicable to all projects but I'm wondering if anyone has an opinion or experience with this sort of situation.
Thanks!
Larissa Oaks
Specialist, LEEDUSGBC
LEEDuser Expert
67 thumbs up
March 6, 2014 - 3:22 pm
Hi Michelle,
Your approach seems reasonable but should probably include a guarantee that the guards have capacity to deal with the lighting changes and the occupants will feel empowered to use this option.
Deborah Lucking
Director of SustainabilityFentress Architects
LEEDuser Expert
258 thumbs up
May 6, 2014 - 7:29 pm
All,
We too have a project with a detention/holding cell component.
I'm picking up on the Laura Sparandara's Oct 31 2013 response (different context, but nonetheless...)Text from the "Notes and Definitions" tab of the IEQ Space Matrix: http://www.usgbc.org/resources/eq-space-type-matrix
"Regularly occupied spaces are areas where one or more individuals normally spend time (more than one hour per person per day on average) seated or standing as they work, study, or perform other focused activities inside a building...."
We would point out that detainees are not engaged in any kind of "work, study or...other focused activities", so these spaces would not be considered "regularly occupied".
Is there a flaw in this argument?
Lauren Sparandara
Sustainability ManagerGoogle
LEEDuser Expert
997 thumbs up
May 6, 2014 - 11:29 pm
I actually would argue that detainees are absolutely engaged in some kind of work, study, or other focused activities and that it is very important that they have access to control in one form or another.
If the way that you're arguing that they have access to controls is through requesting access through the guards then I would make sure that there truly is a mechanism and a freedom for an inmate to make this adjustment request.