In regards to LEED Credit 8.1 we would like a definition of regularly occupied spaces and critical visual task areas. Our building is an Institutional Building and therfore contains several spaces that are periodically occupied throughout the day such as, waiting rooms, training rooms, dinning rooms, reading rooms and family research area and a yoga room. We would like to know if these areas fall under the definiton of regularly occupied and critical visual task areas.
The issue of "regularly occupied spaces" has been previously addressed in EQ Credit 6.1 ruling dated 11/9/2001. In summary, it is difficult to have a finite definition of "regularly occupied spaces" as the programmatic needs for each building will vary, even for common types of spaces. For example, for one project, a waiting room may be considered a transition space only, akin to a lobby, but for another, it may accommodate a workspace and would therefore be classified as "regularly occupied space". If various occupants of the building use a space on a regular basis and daylight would not interfere with the tasks performed there, it would meet the criteria for spaces needed to be considered for this credit. Spaces such as training rooms, dining rooms, reading rooms and research areas appear to meet the criteria as they are regularly occupied and would typically benefit from the introduction of daylight. If any space is to be excluded from the calculations, provide a brief narrative to explain rationale and assumptions. Applicable Internationally.