Our project consists of a new 8,000sq ft bookstore and office as part of an addition to existing 64,000 sf student center which supports other student activities for the college. The existing building will undergo minimal modifications as part of an overall renovation effort. Therefore it is our intention to reduce the scope of the LEED certification to the addition only. The mechanical system of the existing building will service the addition and will be modified in order to meet the LEED requirements of ASHRAE 90.1, minimum energy performance and the 14% (2 credit requirement) or EAc1. Due to the proximity of the bathrooms in the existing building and budget considerations, the new addition will not have any plumbing. Is it acceptable to pursue WEc3 for water savings if renovations of the existing building plumbing fixtures are made to meet the water saving requirements of the credit? Furthermore, if this is acceptable would we use the occupancy numbers of the addition only, or for the entire facility, in our water saving calculations?
The applicant is requesting confirmation for the modification of restrooms outside of the scope of the building addition to achieve water use savings for WEc3. The LEED-CI v2.0 Reference Guide, while not applicable to this particular project, does set precedent for including fixtures outside the LEED project boundary in the credit calculations for WEc3. In order to satisfy the credit requirements, the project team should submit the required calculations, a drawing showing the addition and location of proposed plumbing fixture renovation, and a narrative describing the alternative compliance method and proposed usage of existing restrooms. Please note that the plumbing fixture renovation must occur for fixtures that are expected to be used by occupants of the area included in the LEED project boundary. The WE TAG recommends that, where possible, the bathrooms referenced be included within the project boundary and renovated in their entirety. Applicable Internationally.