Are you certain this must be provided in addition to a survey for NC and CI projects? The CI reference guide (page 389) states "Analyzing environmental variables (typically by monitoring space temperature and relative humidity) is an ALTERNATIVE APPROACH [emphasis added] to determining if a facility is providing thermal comfort for its occupants..." and later goes on to state, "Even though this credit DOES NOT REQUIRE A MONITORING SYSTEM [emphasis added] in addition to occupant surveying to verify the thermal comfort conditions, it might be beneficial..."
On the small CI project we are helping to get certified, I don't see the owner wanting to go to the expense of sensors in dozens of small offices and exam rooms, spitting out data at 15 minute intervals that would have to be processed and analyzed by someone on their staff. I think they feel that they'd rather rely on the survey results.
Steve Loppnow
Sustainability Account ManagerStok
LEEDuser Expert
294 thumbs up
February 8, 2010 - 7:49 pm
Dave,
This is something that the LEEDuser team has come up against as well. We are still working to bring the specifics of the requirements for monitoring systems into focus. While you are correct that the CI Reference Guide clearly states that monitoring systems are optional, the CI credit form provides a check box that must be filled for a point to register in the credit form. A similar check box appears in the NC credit form. I would encourage you to contact the GBCI to request clarification on the requirements, however past experience indicates that "permanent monitoring systems" can be as basic as programmable thermostats that measure temperature and humidity. It may be best to plan for the more stringent approach until you can confirm the less stringent approach via the GBCI.
Holly Himes
37 thumbs up
May 12, 2011 - 7:21 pm
Has anyone found any more clarity on this? Permanent monitoring system required or not?
Dax Ponce de Leon
PMA Consultants32 thumbs up
June 14, 2011 - 1:26 pm
There's an addenda item from 7-19-10 that removes the above mentioned paragraph from the RG stating "...even though this credit DOES NOT REQUIRE A MONITORING SYSTEM..."
That's all I've come up with.
Jeremy Muenz
LEED Specialist45 thumbs up
June 15, 2011 - 3:51 pm
The paragraph referred to above, "Even though this credit does not require a monitoring system..." has been removed through the release of an addenda. You can review this addenda item by searching the LEED Interpretation database, found through this link https://www.usgbc.org/LeedInterpretations/LILanding.aspx, for ID number 100000161. When searching be sure to have the "entry types include "Rating System Addenda" and "Reference Guide Addenda".
Maria Porter
Sustainability specialistSkanska Sweden
268 thumbs up
May 10, 2012 - 2:53 am
I searched the database and found that the fifth paragraph, "Even though this credit does not require a monitoring system...", of page 389 is deleted. However the second paragraph remains where it says that it is an "alternate approach". The LEED Online form requires both, so I guess both is what I should do, or?