My question is regarding to operating hours of the building and the Building Operating Plan (BOP). We filled out "Weekly Operating Hours" in the ENERGY STAR's Portfolio Manager with 8 hrs/day for offices which is the main usage of the building. On the other hand in the BOP we identified that the building is conditioned for its users from 6AM to 8PM (14 hrs/day). The tenant lease agreement describes fixed working hours of 8 hrs/day. In addition, it is allowed for users to come to offices before-hours and to leave after-hours.
I hesitate what should be written in the BOP under operating hours. Does anybody have any experience with this issue? What is the best way how to describe the building operations?
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Dave Hubka
Practice Leader - SustainabilityEUA
LEEDuser Expert
495 thumbs up
April 16, 2015 - 8:45 am
Hello Jiri,
The Building Operating Plan contains both the occupancy schedule and the equipment run-tim schedule. The occupancy schedule should match what has been entered into the Portfolio Manager. The equipment run-time schedule should match the hours the equipment is in the "occupied" mode. The occupancy schedule and equipment run-time schedule may not always match, this will not trigger a LEED review comment however this is our most common energy conservation measure....to match the equipment's run-time to the building occupancy hours. In your case, the building equipment runs 6 hours every day outside of lease hours.
As for after-hours usage, you can explain the situation within the BOP. Allowing for after-hours use does not require a revised occupancy schedule. You should also note if after-hours equipment overrides are available to the occupants.
Hope this helps!