The information regarding Multi-Occupant Spaces such as group meeting spaces, conference rooms, etc. is clear, however, in a library setting, there are often large open spaces (book stacks, reading lounges, etc.) that could also be defined as multi-occupant spaces where a simple on-off switch would be unacceptable. Are these kind of spaces exempt from the requirement of "controllability"?
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Lauren Sparandara
Sustainability ManagerGoogle
LEEDuser Expert
997 thumbs up
June 23, 2010 - 4:27 pm
Hi Bruce,
As far as I know, a specific instruction or exemption from the USGBC as it relates to designating multi-occupant spaces in a library does not exist. I also do not know of any CIRs that allow for any exceptions.
As you describe, I would designate reading lounges, book stacks, etc. as multi-occupant spaces. I assume that there is some lighting controllability in these spaces that perhaps only certain library staff can use? For example, do you have certain dimmers for certain reading events or are the lights turned down during daylight hours? I think that you might be able to make a case that controllability exists within the constraints of certain occupants in this special scenario. Remember that multi-occupant spaces just need some controllability but do not need a specific number of controls to qualify.
Lauren
Tate Walker
ArchitectOPN Architects
7 thumbs up
June 23, 2010 - 4:42 pm
Thanks Lauren. Yes, the staff will have control of the lighting for these areas, just not the patrons. That's the essence of my question. Do the "patrons" need to be able to control the lighting in these large, multi-occupant spaces or just the staff. We will have lighting sensors which will turn the lights on or off if enough natural light in present. We will not have occupancy sensors in these spaces due to the openness of the space and the frequency of use.
Lauren Sparandara
Sustainability ManagerGoogle
LEEDuser Expert
997 thumbs up
June 23, 2010 - 4:48 pm
I'd officially call that a gray area in LEED. Do the patrons have control in the sense that if they wanted lighting changed dramatically they could request that of the staff? I've taken that approach before.
You could also take a peek at LEED for Schools to see how libraries are addressed there for EQc6.1 but I'm not sure you can make a direct comparison.
Abena Darden
Senior AssociateThornton Tomasetti
273 thumbs up
July 7, 2010 - 2:47 pm
Hi Bruce and Lauren--We've done a couple of libraries under 2.1 and 2.2, respectively. We got a ruling that said book stacks are exempt from controllability issues. We were also able to add individual task lighting in the reading rooms to qualify. Marian
Tate Walker
ArchitectOPN Architects
7 thumbs up
July 8, 2010 - 11:13 am
Marian - Thanks for your response. I have 2 questions:
1. When you say you got a "ruling", in what form did you receive it? As a CIR? Something in writing from GBCI? A phone call or email response? Are you willing to share the documentation or do we need to also seek the same "ruling" for our project?
2. You specifically mentioned "reading rooms". What about clusters of lounge seats or study tables that are in the same open area where the bookstacks are located and not in a separate, enclosed reading room. Task lighting is harder to accomodate in these areas although not impossible. Did your ruling include these kind of (open) areas as well?
Lauren Sparandara
Sustainability ManagerGoogle
LEEDuser Expert
997 thumbs up
July 8, 2010 - 2:46 pm
Hi Bruce,
I'll let Marian officially respond to your questions but I'd guess her response to Question #1 would be that it wasn't a formal ruling but just an acceptance from the USGBC of how she submitted her documentation. For LEEDv2009 projects, reference to past CIRs is no longer accepted. It also unfortunately, won't help you to reference calls, emails, etc. even if they existed because they aren't sanctioned rulings.
That being said, it probably wouldn't hurt for you to look at her documentation, if she felt comfortable sharing it, and seeing what her approach was in particular that allowed it to be successful.
Lauren
Abena Darden
Senior AssociateThornton Tomasetti
273 thumbs up
July 13, 2010 - 3:48 pm
Bruce and Lauren-the ruling was in fact a CIR, which sadly do not currently continue precedent. However, that policy is now under review by GBCI because of massive feedback and the policy will be changing, according to a reliable source inside GBCI. That said, both the libraries we worked on (one has been submitted and documentation OK'd) had open reading areas and these needed to comply with lighting and thermal comfort controls. These were/will be resolved using underfloor air and spacing registers accordingly and then using task lighting. Stacks are exempt. Unfortunately I cannot share the documentation, but would happy to provide continued input in this forum or offline. Marian