We have a mixed use project- residential condos above, ground floor retail. The residential section will meet the IEQ 6.1 requirements for operable windows. There will not be operable windows in the ground floor retail space. We propose that because the perimeter of the retail space will be used primarily for product display and merchandizing, within the meaning and intent of the credit, this does not constitute regularly occupied areas. Although store employees and customers may regularly wander within the 15' of perimeter, this is not the same as an office environment where employees would typically be positioned within 15' of the perimeter for continuous periods of time. We propose that by documenting the compliance of the residential space with the requirements of the credit, and by establishing by narrative that the 15' perimeter of the retail space does not constitute regularly occupied space, we meet the intent of the credit.
The Credit Ruling Committee has determined that this credit cannot be achieved by deciding to exclude areas from the calculations. Providing operable windows for residential areas alone does not constitute an effort on the part of the project to achieve a LEED credit. For the retail area, the perimeter area is not the display windows alone. According to the LEED Reference Guide, a room is considered perimeter in its entirety if part of it is adjacent to the building perimeter. (Refer to the diagram on page 256 of the Reference Guide; especially Room 9). Retail areas include full time staff occupants at customer service stations, cashiers, staff work areas, etc. If the project cannot provide controls and operable windows for these areas, the credit should not be applied for. The Reference Guide specifically indicates that some building programs are not appropriate for this credit. In considering an approach to this credit, consider high transom windows or other strategies that might be more appropriate. To achieve the credit, windows would be needed for every 200 sq. ft of space, or in EACH smaller independent retail space, if they are smaller than 200 sf. Applicable internationally.