Primary vs. Functional Entry

Hi Michelle, LEED does not offer specific reasoning behind the different wording between access to diverse uses and access to transit. My thought is that when it comes to diverse uses, it is assumed that building occupants will be walking to each diverse use, and typically the main entrance to the building is the best entrance to serve pedestrian occupants. It also ensures the majority of occupants have access to the diverse uses rather than a smaller sub-set of occupants that have access to a different entrance and different services. For access to transit, my thought is that occupants may have to bike or use another form of transportation to access the public transit, which is why any functional entry may be used in case a bike storage room is not located next to the main entrance. Also, transit stops do not move and are more scarce than diverse uses (in most cases), and therefore it may be difficult to earn the credit if only transit stops that meet the requirement for the main door are used. For diverse uses, it is likely assumed that, because they can be located anywhere within 0.5 miles, it would not be difficult to achieve from the main entrance only. Again, this is just a best guess as LEED does not offer rationale for this specific wording issue. Hope this helps!

Almost the same dilemma for the NC-v4 LTc6: Bicycle facilities credit. As long as it is within the 30 meter walking distance, can a building main entrance also be considered a functional entry and use it (the main entrance) for the long term storage the same as for short term storage? Is my reasoning that a main entrance is a functional entry. According to the LEED BDC reference definition, page 110: functional entry a building opening designed to be used by pedestrians and open during regular business hours. It does not include any door exclusively designated as an emergency exit, or a garage door not designed as a pedestrian entrance. Too bad the same term difference is maintained within the LEED v4.1.

CBRE: the building's main entrance is a functional entry. Michelle: You bring up a good point...why walkable distance from main entrance for diverse uses but any functional entry for quality transit?  Kimberly: I agree with your logic. I'll ask GBCI and post their response here. stay tuned!

Hi, We have come across a different situation when selecting the functional entry. Our project is a manufacturing facility located in a export processing zone. The zone contains only manufacturing facilities inside and restricts the entry of people unless they are employees working inside. There are many diverse uses surrounding the zone that can be utilized to pursue diverse uses credit. But our project site entrance is about 750m from the zone's entry point. My question is can we take the zone's entry as our functional entry in this situation?  Appreciate if someone can shed some light in this. Thank you!

Hi Reshadee, I have had numerous projects with similarly secure campuses, but have always been told that the distances must be measured from one of your building's entrances. The only time we've been allowed to work around it a little is when our project had an internal shuttle that could transport visitors/occupants to and from other transit stops that were outside the distance. This was only for military bases that are not open to the public.

To follow up on my previous post, "main entrance for diverse uses and functional entrance for quality transit, that is just the rule" - GBCI sorry that there is no earth-shattering revelation on this one :(   Emily, you present an excellent example --- military bases. And quite a nice work around with the private shuttle approach. Thank you for sharing!

Thanks Emily and David. 

For the next version of LEED, the term should be unified and summarized in a simple way to just 'functional entry' for application on all credits equally.