LEEDuser states that a project should ask itself "Will smoking be prohibited on all areas of balconies and decks, even for private residences and hotel rooms, that are within 25 feet of entries, outdoor air intakes and operable windows of common spaces or other units" to determine if it will meet IEQp2. However, the Reference Guide does not say anything about "other units" for Residential/Hospitality. It states "Locate any exterior designated smoking areas, including balconies where smoking is permits, at least 35 feet from entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows opening to common areas.” It seems the guide specifically does not include private units.
Additionally the Guide states that weather stripping exterior doors and windows in the residential units is to “minimize leakage from outdoors” which seems to support allowing smoking on neighboring balconies. Any thoughts as to what is actually required?
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Ante Vulin
Sustainability ManagerYR&G
80 thumbs up
March 8, 2013 - 5:15 pm
Heather, in our experience the requirement is "any opening". However the vast majority of our projects elect to completely ban smoking, or choose that path when they cannot meet the blower door requirements.
Heather DeGrella
Sustainable Design Director, Associate PrincipalOpsis Architecture
71 thumbs up
May 8, 2013 - 5:54 pm
Hi, just wanted to bump this back up into the conversation in case anyone else has had direct experience with the hotel room balconies question. Thanks-
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11477 thumbs up
May 9, 2013 - 11:01 am
Heather, based on your reading of the requirements, I see your point, but I'm not sure I really like the answer. I agree with Ante that I have always focused on the "any opening" aspect of the requirements. I think what you're seeing may be a loophole, and not the intended result. However, maybe it is intended. I would suggest contacting GBCI for feedback, and post back here what you learn.
Heather DeGrella
Sustainable Design Director, Associate PrincipalOpsis Architecture
71 thumbs up
May 9, 2013 - 1:39 pm
Thank you Tristan. I frequently teach exam prep and was asked this question by a student. Since it is not a real project, I can't submit a CIR. I am definitely not advocating for smoking, or inhaling someone else's 2nd hand smoke. But I do like to know exactly what is required, and then progress to what would be the best approach to meet the fullest intent for a strategy, not just stick with the lowest baseline.
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11477 thumbs up
May 9, 2013 - 2:01 pm
Hypothetical questions can be really hard in LEED. Without an owner or someone driving the project team intent in a certain direction, I find that it is easier to get tied up in knots by wording.If you really want to know, just contact GBCi via their website. You don't need to submit a CIR.
Heather DeGrella
Sustainable Design Director, Associate PrincipalOpsis Architecture
71 thumbs up
May 9, 2013 - 2:08 pm
yeah - I get a lot of those. But it does keep it interesting, plus a way for me to learn something new about LEED every day :)
I didn't realize I could directly ask GBCI without a project to go along with the question. I will do that, then post back here when I hear back. Thanks Tristan!
SIG - Sustainability Main Account
Sustainability ConsultantsSustainable Investment Group (SIG)
86 thumbs up
May 15, 2014 - 1:41 pm
Heather, did you ever receive a response? We may have a real-life example that needs to address this very question. I will know more in the next week when meeting the design team and understanding the building design better. If the balconies or operable windows are too close, we will have to post a CIR on this. This very question is something that I've wondered for several years about, but haven't had the "real" project to verify with yet either. I'd love any feedback you have.
Otherwise, I'll post more info as we get it if the building allows smoking AND the openings are too close to one another.