EA Credit 4 - Ozone Depletion Project Background - Portions of this research facility (appromimately 5% of total square footage) house two data centers which serve as the computer hub for Old Dominion University. During design, the University requested that these areas along with main telephone closets be provided with space conditioning that is standalone and independent of the facility\'\'s central heating and cooling systems. The decision was made to prevent loss of cooling in these spaces if the central cooling plant was rendered inoperable. The systems selected to serve the data centers and telephone closets are split system DX computer room air conditioners (CRAC) and DX ductless split systems (DSS) respectively. Both systems are backed-up electrically by an emergency generator. Question - The credit requirements states: "Install base building level HVAC and refrigeration equipment and fire suppression systems that do not contain HCFC\'\'s or Halon." What is considered a "base building level HVAC" system? The central cooling plant (chiller) installed to serve the remainder of the building and, in addition, supplies ventilation air to the data centers, utilizes non-HCFC refrigerant. Today, almost all commercially available CRAC units and DSSs utilize R-22 which is a HCFC refrigerant. Manufacturers state that it will be several more years before CRAC units utilizing alternative refrigerants to R-22 will become more readily available. Since the CRAC units are only being used to offset heat generated by the process load (in this case, a large computer load), wouldn\'\'t this equipment be considered as non-base building level HVAC and be exempt from this requirement? A credit ruling exists that addresses small commercial packaged equipment that is "not part of the base building level HVAC, refrigeration equipment, and fire suppression systems" being exempt from the credit requirement. Wouldn\'\'t CRAC units and DSS fall under this same exemption?