Part 1 The project is a corporate day-care facility for children that range in age from infants to four years of age. The project has voluntarily selected the LEED for Schools rating system and is seeking USGBC\'s approval on the proposed classification of space as "classroom" further defined as "core learning spaces" for the purpose of providing the required sound insulation. Per EQ Prerequisite 3; Minimum Acoustical Performance and EQ Credit 9; Enhanced Acoustical Performance. Currently, the project program has spaces for younger children (e.g., infants and toddlers through the age of three) where the primary role of the employees at the facility will be caregiver providing for the basic needs of the children. There are also three preschool spaces for children the age of four. In addition to providing for the basic needs of the children, the employees will engage in more of a teaching role. The ANSI S.12 sound isolation requirements for school spaces are predicated on providing adequate acoustical separation between core learning spaces. Based on this, we intend to only treat the preschool spaces as classrooms, or core learning spaces as these are the only spaces where there will be teachers teaching children. Part 2 In addition, the project would like to get a clarification on the composite sound isolation (STC) requirement for corridor walls. The project corridor walls will have areas of operable glazing assemblies that are necessary for both daylighting and outdoor fresh air intake. Firstly, the ANSI S.12 requirement for corridor walls (Table 3 in Section 4.5.2) states that the composite STC for corridor walls (excluding entry doors) should be a minimum of 45. In addition, classroom entry doors are required in Section 4.5.5 to achieve at least STC 30. Lastly, the updated LEED for Schools alternative compliance paths promulgated in the USGBC\'s 23 April 2008 PIEACP document state that windows "must meet an STC rating of at least 35." The PIEACP document does not specify that these requirements are for both exterior and interior windows. The project would like the USGBC\'s response to the following proposed corridor wall assembly: 1) entry doors that achieve at least STC 30; 2) partition assemblies (non-window) that meet the ANSI requirement of STC 45 or higher; and 3) interior window assemblies that achieve STC 35 or higher.
The first question is whether the project team can apply the requirements of EQp3 and EQc9 to preschool spaces as core learning spaces and exempt other care giving spaces from the requirements for EQp3 and EQc9 in a daycare facility. This approach is acceptable as long as the project team provides clear documentation of the teaching and/or care giving spaces excluded and the reason why the project team does not consider them core learning areas. The second question is whether the prerequisite STC requirements for windows apply to interior window assemblies as well. The project team must use a window assembly that can achieve an STC of 35 or higher for interior and exterior window assemblies. The assembly ratings of the proposed corridor wall are acceptable as described above. Applicable Internationally.