Transient Peak vs. Transient Daily Average

Nate Steeber

Project Manager, Sustainability

Sol design + consulting

LEEDuser Basic Member

13 thumbs up

July 25, 2014

I have a homeless shelter project. It contains office and residences in it which do not have any transients. However, the project also serves as a church one day a week where approximately 326 people come on Sunday (and only Sunday). I assumed that my Peak Transient and Daily Average Transient would be identical: 326. My review cam back saying that this may have been calculated incorrectly. I believe this is calculated correctly, but I was hoping to hear a comment or two about any experiences with this. Do you believe this is accurate? Thanks!!

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Tristan Roberts

Representative

Vermont House of Representatives

LEEDuser Expert

7780 thumbs up

Sat, 07/26/2014 - 04:55

Nate, did the review comment give any pointers?

Nate Steeber

Project Manager, Sustainability

Sol design + consulting

LEEDuser Basic Member

13 thumbs up

Mon, 07/28/2014 - 13:29

"It is unclear whether the occupancy values have been calculated correctly. The project includes identical values for the peak and average transient occupancy (326). Note that for the peak occupancy, the transient value must be determined by including all transient occupants within the building measured at the peak moment. For buildings with multiple shifts, use the highest volume shift in the calculations and include shift overlap. For average occupancy, the transient value must be determined based on the daily average over the course of the year. Provide a revised form and supplemental occupancy calculations, as necessary. If special circumstances exist, provide a narrative describing these circumstances." I was thinking that my logic is correct, but I wasn't sure if I was overlooking something.

David Posada

Integrated Design & LEED Specialist

SERA Architects

LEEDuser Expert

1361 thumbs up

Mon, 07/28/2014 - 18:13

Nate, If we just look at the 326 people who attend services on Sunday, you are correct the transient peak number would be 326. The daily average transients comes from averaging out the total number of transients over the course of a year. For example, 326 transients coming once a week for the 52 weeks of a year gives us 16,952 visitors in a year. Divide that by 365 equals a daily average of 46.4, which we round up to 47. The peak occupancy number informs the number of bike racks, which you want to provide for the busiest times. The daily average occupancy informs the water calculations which looks at the building water use over the course of a year. That's why for many projects these numbers can (and should be) different. Occupancy numbers are often a rough estimate. Still, some estimates are more accurate than others. By explaining to the reviewers how you have calculated your occupancy they will have a better sense of whether your numbers are reasonably accurate or totally off-base. Hope that helps.

Nate Steeber

Project Manager, Sustainability

Sol design + consulting

LEEDuser Basic Member

13 thumbs up

Mon, 07/28/2014 - 18:55

Thank you, that is indeed very helpful!!