Ventilation Openings

TOMAS URIBE

PROJECT MANAGER

SOLUCIONES ENERGETICAS SOSTENIBLES

LEEDuser Basic Member

7 thumbs up

September 11, 2012

Hello. We are working on a Core & Shell project, it has retail spaces that consists of two levels each one. On the second level, openings will be included in order to ensure the needed ventilation air rates but on the first level nor openings exist or will be included. Can we consider the entrance door (due to it is always open during occupied hours) as the opening area required for ventilation? or, Do we have to make architectural changes in the retail spaces facade in order to fulfill the ventilation air rates? Thanks in advance.

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Dylan Connelly

Mechanical Engineer

Integral Group

LEEDuser Expert

342 thumbs up

Wed, 09/12/2012 - 01:23

Yes the first floor would need to meet the LEED ventilation requirements. It sounds like you are attempting achieve the requirements by Natural Ventilation. In this case you need to meet the requirements of ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2007, Paragraph 5.1. (Naturally ventilation spaces shall be within 25 ft of operable wall, the openable area shall be 4% of the net occupiable floor area...). Depending on the size of the space the entrance door may not be enough.