Calculating FTEs

FTE numbers are often based on averages and assumptions, but the key as Sherri mentioned is to distinguish between regular occupants such as staff, and transients/ visitors. These two categories are treated differently in two credits: the water use calcs and the bike racks & showers calcs. For regular occupants, two part-time employees each working three, eight-hour days could converted to FTE thus: 2 x 3 x 8 = 48 occupant hours per week, and then 48 / 40 = 9.6 occupant hours per day, and then 9.6 / 8 = 1.2 FTE. You might average the summer interns over the course of the year, or use the season with the highest FTE as your expected occupancy. Similarly for transients, use the time of day or season with the peak number of visitors to the building.

David, 48 / 40 ≠ 9.6 but equals 1.2. I believe you meant to do 48 occupant hours per week / 5 days per week = 9.6 occupant hours per day. Then 9.6 / 8 = 1.2 FTE. The short cut is to take 48 / 40 as there are 40 hours in the work week (8 x 5). I have a similar situation on a project that has12 full-time occupants working 12 hours a day 6 days a week. But LEED only considers an 8 hour day so an additional 4 hours per person per day has to be accounted for. My calculation is 12 x 12 x 6 = 864 / 40 = 21.6 FTE. Is this correct?

Looks right to me - thanks for checking the math!

No problem. Its a confusing topic, I still don't know if I have my head wrapped around it. Does anyone know why the LEED form doesn't let you change the avg. hours / week from 8 to the actual time worked for full-time occupants? Again in my situation with 12 people working 12 hours per day 6 days a week I have to fudge the number of people to arrive at the correct FTE. It seems like the form over simplifies the calculation.

Hm, not sure why this happens. That's frustrating.