Which Spaces Should Be Included?

Omer, I agree that the definitions of occupied space gets confusing between different LEED credits. I would approach this issue by adhering to the definition of "occupied space" as defined by ASHRAE 62.1. In the old days of CIRs, the USGBC gave the same advice around this definition and ventilation rates. ASHRAE defines occupiable space as "an enclosed space intended for human activities, excluding those spaces intended primarily for other purposes, such as storage rooms and equipment rooms, that are only occupied occasionally and for short periods of time". The USP room in the project you described could be exempt if it is only a storage area. If people work in this area or if it is similar to a mail room, you would need to meet the ventilation rates. The atrium you described would also need to meet the ventilation rates prescribed in ASHRAE as the primary purpose is a hallway for human transit.

Omer, Just to add to the previous comment, this credit seems to use language that singles out "occupied" spaces. However, we still need to comply with the prerequisite, IEQp1, which basically says to follow ASHRAE 62.1. The interesting thing to note is that the 6.1 ASHRAE table for Minimum Ventilation Rates includes all spaces, even storage and electrical equipment room. While they acknowledge that the Rp People Outdoor Air Rate is zero, they still have an Area Outdoor Air Rate that is very small. So, you still need to make sure you are supplying outdoor air to these spaces in some form to meet EQp1.

Seema, thanks for your valuable inputs into the subject. Does it mean that we still need to feed fresh air into electrical rooms, storage rooms, machine rooms etc.? I recently came across a document in ASHRAE website stating that these areas need not mandatorily comply with Table 6-1 requirements. www.ashrae.org/File%20Library/.../20100203_ic_621200716.pdf ashrae.org/File%20Library/docLib/.../20100203_ic_621200717.pdf

There is an ASHRAE Interpretation 62.1-2007-17 and Addendum d for ASHRAE 62.1.2007. the language has been revised and Table 6.1 has been revised as well. The electrical rooms etc have been removed form the table but there is an occupiable storage which has been included with Ra and Rp included for the space now. I suppose we must now figure out if the storage space is occupiable or not.