The USGBC raised the following query in our project design stage review:
"It is not clear that the shower usage reported accurately reflects the usage patterns of the project. Given the program of this project, it is not clear that the standard usage rates for the shower fixture, as outlined in the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction, 2009 Edition (Updated June 2010), would be applicable to this project."
The building has changing rooms and I think their point is that shower use in changing rooms differs from private shower use rates. I can't however find any standard/guidance to refer to for an alternative shower use rate for changing facilities. Can anyone oblige?
Many thanks,
Michelle Rosenberger
PartnerArchEcology
519 thumbs up
September 25, 2014 - 4:35 pm
Hi Susannah,
The comment alone is not enough to go on, but my guess is that this is not about changing rooms vs. showers. More likely it is about commercial shower daily usage rates vs. private residence rates. Or it is specific to your project's program.
You titled this non-default shower use. Did you use a default in your WEpr1 for daily usage? If you use a default, the usage is based on the shower you select in the pull down. You would select Shower there vs. Residential Shower and the usage would then be based on the FTEs.
If this is about your program specifically, you may need to use a non-default daily use that reflects your particular issues. If that is the case, you would need to provide a narrative that defends your calculation methodology. If you are conservative and reasonable, this approach generally works.