In the past GBCI has stated as a side note: "For future projects, please note that occupancy sensors alone are not an acceptable form of lighting control". We have since been advising our teams to use dual-switching or dimmers in addition to the use of occupancy sensors. As I read through LEEDuser, it appears occupancy sensors qualify for lighting control if they have an override switch. Am I correct in saying the occupancy sensor with an override switch alone would suffice to meet the credit intent? (Of course, permitting this meets the intended use of the space.)
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David Posada
Integrated Design & LEED SpecialistSERA Architects
LEEDuser Expert
1980 thumbs up
March 14, 2011 - 5:04 pm
Lindsay, I think the applicability of override switches and occupancy sensors depends on whether you are talking about individual workstations or shared multi-occupant spaces. The presence of an override switch for an occ. sensor can make sense as a control for individual work station lighting, but not by itself for shared multi occupant spaces.
For shared multi-occupant spaces, the BD& C guide Figure 2 on page 524 gives some guidance on options that comply: "Control options: dimmer switches step dimming bi-level switching multi zones." Your advice is consistent with the requirements for that space type.
Abena Darden
Senior AssociateThornton Tomasetti
273 thumbs up
April 12, 2011 - 2:26 pm
David, Lindsay and other interested parties: I would love to have a cite for Ref Guide Addenda or Historic CIR with the language stating that override switches alone are not sufficient in multi-occupant spaces. If such a formal cite exists, would this also apply to 2.2 projects? Thanks, Marian
David Posada
Integrated Design & LEED SpecialistSERA Architects
LEEDuser Expert
1980 thumbs up
April 12, 2011 - 4:06 pm
Marian,
You may not find the exact wording you're looking to cite in a published ruling. I've seen three CIRs that address the more general intent of providing multiple levels of lighting in multi-occupant spaces based on the use of the space: Inquiry numbers 5056, 1650, and 5101. These appear to apply to 2.2, and help clarify the intent of the credit:
We have seen single controls (occupancy sensors with overrides) in conference rooms rejected on an EB O&M 2008 project, and we've seen an NC 2.2 project approved when an analysis of each space showed variable lighting levels in areas where it was appropriate (see my comment from March 29 above).