How does this prerequisite apply to a dormitory that has exterior motel-style walkways (no indoor conditioned corridors between rooms) where the residents are allowed to smoke in the individual units? Do these doors still need to be weather-stripped if they lead to the outdoors?
Also, if the individual living units are pre-fabricated off-site and "stacked" to form the building, does this suffice for minimizing ETS transfer?
What is considered a penetration in the walls, ceiling, and floors?
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11477 thumbs up
January 20, 2010 - 8:37 pm
Kimberly, it seems like weatherstripping the exterior doors would be an easy choice for energy reasons. Exterior doors are usually weatherstripped, anyway. Whether or not you HAVE to do it? The letter of LEED would require it, and probably for good reason—the ETS could leak through the exterior doors and into other living spaces.
Penetrations are typically things like ducts, wiring runs, piping, etc. Anything that interrupts the air barrier between units. (For more on this topic, check out LEEDuser's strategy page on dealing with penetrations for IEQp2.)
Prefab units may help, but I wouldn't take it for granted. Carefully review the credit requirements to make sure that the units will be air-sealed to the extent required, and perform blower-door testing.