Our client is investigating LEED certification for a self-storage facility. They intend to go all digital in terms of a front office and won't have any regularly occupied spaces. I think this disqualifies the project from the IAQ credits, but does it disqualify the project as well? Also, is it possible to calculate FTEs based on tenant utilization in the non-occupied spaces (storage units) or is that only applicable for regularly occupied spaces?
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Conor Merrigan
PrincipalC2 Sustainability LLC
8 thumbs up
December 18, 2013 - 11:12 am
If there is anyone out there that can answer this, I'd appreciate it. My client is getting antsy. Does this seem like a CIR or does anyone know of precedent for counting average occupancy for "regular occupancy"? The facility will need to be deigned to meet occupied standards, we are trying to see how much float we can put on things like temperature and how to control ventilation, but as an indoor facility it will need to meet ventilation and comfort requirements.
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11478 thumbs up
December 18, 2013 - 2:20 pm
Conor, I think MPR5 is pretty clear that unoccupied projects can be LEED-certified, they just can't earn any IEQ credits (but must comply with prerequisites). Sounds that like fits just fine with this project.
Conor Merrigan
PrincipalC2 Sustainability LLC
8 thumbs up
December 18, 2013 - 4:19 pm
Thank you Tristan, that was my read as well. As far as the definition of regularly occupied, do you see (or have you seen) any wiggle room? If the spaces are designed for regular (or at least during a wide range of times, say 6AM to 11PM) occupancy for any user to enter and interact in the facility, wouldn't there be a case to be made that the design is for an occupied building? These are going to be conditioned spaces with some sort of ventilation controls and code may treat it as an occupied space...
Thanks for the reply.
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11478 thumbs up
December 18, 2013 - 4:37 pm
Conor, compliance with MPR5 is based on having at least 1 FTE, not on have a space that is defined as regularly occupied. So I don't see wiggle room.To the extent that there might be wiggle room you would find it in the MPR Supplmental Guidance, which is posted above, but I don't see anything applicable there. That mostly has to do with minimum occupancy rates for LEED-EBOM.