Our project is an industrial core and shell building designed for warehouse use. The tenant improvement is likely to include built-out office space in the corners of the building where office windows will provide views for seated employees. The tenant improvement of the warehouse is likely to dedicate the bulk of the space to storage racks. Per a credit interpretation ruling dated 1/29/08, this area would be considered not regularly occupied. The area adjacent to the loading docks however may be a location where workers will spend the bulk of their workday loading and unloading trucks and staging materials on pallets, making a portion of the warehouse perimeter a regularly occupied space. In order to accommodate this potential use of area, and to meet the intent and requirements of EQc8.2, glazed sections will be included in the roll-up dock doors. This glazing will be approximately 6 inches high in long segments that run most of the width of each door. Since the workers perform their tasks while standing up, the glazing will be optimally located at eye height, approximately 63 inches above the floor, per the CIR ruling dated 3/22/07. The warehouse workers will have a nearly continuous unobstructed view from their work area. It should also be noted that the doors will also be open on a regular basis, further allowing views and connectivity to the outdoors. Can these glazed sections contribute towards credit compliance?
The project team is asking whether 6" high glazing incorporated into a roll-up door qualifies as vision glazing for the purposes of this credit. Yes, the intent of this credit is to provide for the building occupants a connection between indoor spaces and outdoors through the introduction of daylight and views into the regularly occupied areas of the building. The described roll-up doors, which include segments of glazing 6 inches high, 63" off the finished floor, provide views for standing workers. While it would be difficult to consider this a high-quality view, and the design team is encouraged to increase access to a higher quality view, glazing at this height, meets credit requirements. As noted in the LEED Core and Shell Reference Guide, please provide a feasible tenant layout for the intended building use, clearly delineating regularly occupied spaces. Applicable Internationally.