The requirement for this credit states, "Achieve a minimum Daylight Factor of 2% (excluding all direct sunlight penetration) in 75% of all space occupied for critical visual tasks" with the exception of low occupancy areas and spaces where programmed tasks would be hindered by the use of daylight. For an elementary school project, we would like to clarify the following to be able to fully assess our daylighting potential: [1] We are proposing that activities undertaken in both the Gymnasium and the Computer Lab in our elementary school project would be hindered by the use of daylight. Both spaces are used periodically throughout the day. Natural light in the computer lab would compromise overhead lesson presentations and glare on the screens would be distracting to students. It is the opinion of some that daylight would also create a distraction in some of the sports activities to occur in the gymnasium. Can we omit these spaces from our calculations? [2] A Credit Ruling for EQc8.2 dated 10/16/01 stated ". . . the book stack area is exempt from the calculation for views required by EQ Credit 8.2." For Credit 8.1 we would also like to be able to define the critical visual task zone in our Instructional Media Center to not include the stacks area as we feel that this is essentially a support space to the reading and storytelling areas of the library. Please advise if this assumption is acceptable for EQc8.1. [3] The kitchen in our project is to be operated as a "finishing kitchen" with a serving area. Since this area is designed to act as a support space to the Multi-Purpose Room/Cafeteria, are we right to assume that not daylighting this space is acceptable?
The credit requirements for EQc8.1 specifically exclude spaces where tasks would be hindered by the use of daylight. For all questionable spaces to be excluded, please clearly delineate the areas of the project being excluded from the calculations and provide a brief narrative describing the rationale and assumptions made for each excluded area in the certification documentation for this credit. 1. It is a common practice to minimize daylight in computer labs, and so with a proper narrative this space can be excluded from the calculations. Regarding the gym space, many projects have utilized daylight strategies which can limit glare problems in gyms. For instance, diffuse skylights and diffuse windows are often used to mitigate the negative effects of direct sunlight. However it is possible that some gym activities could be hindered by daylighting. Therefore, to exclude the gym space from the calculations, please provide a narrative describing gym activities and how daylighting will hinder these activities. 2. The credit requirements for EQc8.1 specifically exclude support spaces for storage. Therefore, the stacks area of the Instructional Media Center can be excluded if a narrative is provided that describes the primary function of the stacks area as storage. 3. Finishing kitchens are considered a support area and therefore can be excluded from the EQc8.1 calculations. Applicable internationally.