Male to Female Ratios

A 1:1 male to female ratio is the standard calculation methodology and is applicable in most cases. If project specific conditions exist to justify different usage rates, a narrative should be provided describing these conditions and any special calculation methods used for the project.

Leslie, it seems like the nonstandard approach is justified in this case, but since it's non-standard you might want to think about whether it's worth potentially raising an eyebrow in your review. In the LEED Online template, put in the ratio one way and then the other and see if it has a significant impact on your savings percentage.

Any comments on "raised eyebrows?" One of our projects has a balance according to the owner of closer to 90% male, but said we should calculate based on 70/30, to take into account that employee populations may change over time. It's not a monastery or boy's school, any comments on how that may be received, if the owner writes a narrative? Because the one-pint urinals are very efficient, it actually makes a lot of difference, but I wonder if people have experience with reviewers being OK with owner dictated ratios.

Jonathan, from what I have heard the key things are to show that the ratio is justified in terms of the occupants that that isn't likely to change for any reason. If you have a workforce that is 90% male and that is standard, hasn't changed in a long time, etc, AND the bathroom facilities will be sized and outfitted accordingly, I think you should have a good case. I have simply heard some cases where this kind of case was questioned, but on the other hand there may have been gaps in the narrative that justified the questions that the reviewer raised.