documentation of adjustable flowrates

Florian Schmidtchen

EGS-plan International GmbH

LEEDuser Basic Member

58 thumbs up

November 25, 2010

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Tristan Roberts

Representative

Vermont House of Representatives

LEEDuser Expert

7780 thumbs up

Wed, 12/08/2010 - 03:22

I think this is unlikely to be accepted, on the basis that the fixture could easily be adjusted to the higher rate by an occupant or maintenance person.

Sam Keehn

Environmental and Sustainability Manager

Energy Management Services, Int.

LEEDuser Basic Member

41 thumbs up

Thu, 03/03/2011 - 08:24

We are running into this issue a lot. Tristan, I appreciate your comment and logically think this is correct but was wondering if anyone had anything explicitly confirming or denying this approach. Our client is really pushing us on this right now and I can't find anything solid to base my response on. Logic isn't enough for him. Thanks again.

Tristan Roberts

Representative

Vermont House of Representatives

LEEDuser Expert

7780 thumbs up

Fri, 03/11/2011 - 23:32

Will occupants be able to adjust the fixture to the higher flow rate? If that's possible, it's likely—and I really, really doubt that USGBC would accept the lower flow rate. I"ll see if anyone else has experience on this, though.

Karen Blust

Green Building Consultant

The Cadmus Group

LEEDuser Basic Member

83 thumbs up

Mon, 03/21/2011 - 06:03

There is no specific guidance published by the USGBC related to adjustable volume flow rates. I would agree with Tristan in that the lower flow rate would not be accepted by the GBCI. The GBCI/USGBC typically goes with the worst-case scenario in cases where ranges are provided. As such, if you submit an adjustable flow rate fixture, you’ll have to input the highest flow rate in your water use calculation.