Date
Inquiry

Are data centers and telecom rooms considered non-regularly occupied rooms for the purposes of EQ5? This Credit Interpretation Request is in reference to a 92,000 square foot office building and research laboratory that includes a 5000 square foot data center. As part of the credit, we are required to provide air filtration with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 13 or better for all supply air serving regularly occupied spaces. The 5000 sqft data center and associated telecom rooms house data equipment and power distribution equipment. The data center does not include support areas, offices, cubicles, chairs, desks, etc. We are proposing to air condition the data center with floor mounted computer room air conditioning units. These air conditioning units are typically not furnished with MERV 13 filtration. The Reference Manual does not clearly define \'regularly occupied spaces\' in the chapter on \'Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control\'. Regularly occupied spaces are defined in the chapter on \'Day Light and Views\', EQ Credit 8.1. The definitions at the end of this chapter define regularly occupied spaces as where workers are seated or standing as they work inside a building. Non-regularly occupied spaces include corridors, hallways, lobbies, storage rooms, kitchens, restrooms, stairwells, etc. Non-occupied spaces include rooms used by maintenance personnel that are not open for use by occupants. Non-occupied spaces include janitorial, storage and equipment rooms. We believe that this data center and the telecom rooms are equipment type rooms and are not regularly occupied. There are not any seats or desks in the data center. The data center is used by personnel for computer maintenance and upgrades. Kitchens, copy rooms, and break rooms are in the non-regularly occupied category. These rooms are used more extensively than the data center. Please confirm that MERV 13 filters are not required for air-conditioning units serving the data center and telecom rooms and that this approach will meet the requirements of EQ Credit 5.

Ruling

Can a data center that does not include any support areas, offices, cubicles, chairs, or desks be considered a non-regularly occupied space for the purpose of EQc5 calculations? Yes, as described this space is not intended to house any people during an average workday and may be considered a non-regularly occupied space. Applicable Internationally.

Internationally Applicable
On
Campus Applicable
Off