Hi, I am working on a project that consists of a two-story office building attached to a warehouse. According to ASHRAE 62.1-2007, warehouses don't have a people outdoor air rate (Rp), only an area outdoor air rate (Ra) equal to 0.06 cfm/ft2. What if the warehouse is occupied at different times of the day? People work there moving merchandise and performing other administrative tasks. Would the Rp still be zero? Thanks!

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Ante Vulin

Sustainability Manager

YR&G

LEEDuser Basic Member

55 thumbs up

Mon, 10/21/2013 - 14:50

The occupancy category should be selected separately for every zone. If you have occupied spaces in your warehouse, they will have to be ventilated. However, ASHRAE 62.1 exempts "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." So you need to determine when and for how long a space will be occupied.

Andrew Mitchell, P.E.

Principal

Mitchell Gulledge Engineering, Inc.

LEEDuser Expert

97 thumbs up

Mon, 10/21/2013 - 15:11

If the zone in question is a warehouse then you will be fine to meet the minimum requirements by doing the Ra number only. The idea behind warehouses is that the Ra will be so much more restrictive than the Rp (high ratio of area:people) that the Rp is insignificant. If you think that the warehouse is being used in a way other than normal warehouse activities then you should apply an Rp equal to the most similar space use.

Silvia Ruiz

Civil Engineer & Sustainability Coordinator

Studio Domus

LEEDuser Basic Member

7 thumbs up

Mon, 10/21/2013 - 15:19

Thanks to both of you for your replies. The reasoning behind Rp being zero makes perfect sense, Andrew. We will make sure to meet the minimum requirements using the Ra value only.

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