I am working on a project that was registered under LEED NC 2.2. Will the USGBC allow us to apply requirements from 90.1 - 2010 to the project instead of 90.1 - 2004? Specifically what I am interested in is the performance requirements for closed circuit cooling towers. In 90.1 - 2004 the performance requirements for a centrifugal fan cooling tower (which is what we have) is listed at >= 20 gpm/hp. While in 90.1 - 2010 the performance requirements for a Centrifugal open-circuit cooling tower is also >= 20 gpm/hp but the requirements for a centrifugal closed-circuit cooling tower is >= 7 gpm/hp. As I stated before we have a centrifugal fan closed-circuit cooling tower, so what I would like to do is apply the requirements from 90.1 - 2010 instead of 90.1 - 2004. It looks like the new requirements are more accurate than what the old requirements are due to the splitting of the requirement into closed and open circuits. Thanks again!

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Marcus Sheffer

LEED Fellow

7group / Energy Opportunities

LEEDuser Expert

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Wed, 02/01/2012 - 15:05

You will need to follow the 2004 baseline requirements. You can use any addenda to 2004. The changes in 2010 were either new items or addenda to 2007 and can't be used on 2004 projects.

Dave H

LEEDuser Basic Member

23 thumbs up

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 15:21

Marcus, Does it make a difference that this efficiency figure does not affect the model at all? My original question was not in reference to the baseline model, it was in reference to the proposed design meeting the mandatory requirements of 90.1. I understand that LEED NC 2.2 references 90.1 - 2004 but it seems funny that the USGBC would have an issue with a product that meets the 90.1 - 2010 requirements. The project was also designed in 2010. In your opinion, what would happen if I included a copy of the table from 90.1 - 2010 in my LEED submittal showing the new requirements and a written narrative describing that the proposed product meets the intent of 90.1 - 2004 because of the clarification that came in 2010? Thanks again for all of your expertise and help!

Marcus Sheffer

LEED Fellow

7group / Energy Opportunities

LEEDuser Expert

4454 thumbs up

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 15:53

You almost always model the Proposed as designed. You should be fine using the clarification from 2010 to meet the mandatory provision. See 90.1-2004 Section 6.4.1.3 which indicates that equipment not listed can be used. I would simply provide the narrative you suggest explaining that the equipment you are using is not covered but instead of citing 2010 I would supply product information on the tower you are using.

Dave H

LEEDuser Basic Member

23 thumbs up

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 16:01

Awesome. Thanks again for your expertise and help Marcus!

CT G

LEEDuser Premium Member

19 thumbs up

Wed, 03/12/2014 - 15:56

Dear Marcus and Dave, I have the same question regarding the minimum efficiency for a centrifugal closed-circuit cooling tower when using 90.1-2007. The standard doesn´t specify that the values in the table are for closed or opern-circut, nor do the sections 6.4.1.1 and 6.4.1.2 that Marcus mentions. The section 6.5.5 says "Section 6.5.5 applies to heat rejection equipment used in comfort cooling systems such as air-cooled condensers, open cooling towers, closed-circuit cooling towers, and evaporative condensers." My question is: does a centrifugal closed-circuit cooling tower need to comply with table 6.8.1G, when using 90.1-2007? Dave, did you get any comments from GBCI about this issue when you submitted your project? Regards, Anderson

Marcus Sheffer

LEED Fellow

7group / Energy Opportunities

LEEDuser Expert

4454 thumbs up

Wed, 03/12/2014 - 16:11

Table 6.8.1G only covers open towers in 2007. The 2010 version added performance requirements for closed towers.

CT G

LEEDuser Premium Member

19 thumbs up

Thu, 03/13/2014 - 01:35

Marcus, thank you for your quick reply. One more question: where does it say in 90.1-2007 that it only covers open towers? Regards, Anderson

Marcus Sheffer

LEED Fellow

7group / Energy Opportunities

LEEDuser Expert

4454 thumbs up

Thu, 03/13/2014 - 13:22

I would guess that it does not directly mention it. The test procedure referenced in 6.8.1G only covers open towers I think. There is a slightly different procedure for closed towers.

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