The project is submitting under LEED-CI V2.0 for a tenant space renovation. The building that the tenant occupies is smoke free, except for a bar & restaurant. There was a recent city ordinance passed to ban smoking at all bars & restaurants by July 2008. The building management has also required this tenant to ban smoking by this date per city ordinance, making the building completely smoke free. Would a letter indicating future compliance by the tenant, along with documentation of the city ordinance fulfill the requirements of this prerequisite? Also, if the entrance to this building is on public property, and the current ordinance prohibits smoking only 15\' away from entrances, instead of 25\' as required per LEED, will the project still comply with the intent of the credit?
The CIR is inquiring whether proof of future compliance would be acceptable to meet the prerequisite and whether prohibiting smoking within 15 feet from entrances would meet the intent of the credit. Future compliance for this prerequisite would not meet the intent, which is to prevent or minimize exposure of tenant space occupants, indoor surfaces, and systems to Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS). If smoking in a space is allowed for an extended period of time, this extends the timeframe over which occupants, systems, and surfaces within these spaces will be exposed to ETS. Materials which absorb ETS will off-gas after the smoking itself ceases, further extending the exposure timeframe. Limiting smoking to 15 feet from entrances instead of 25 feet would not meet the credit requirement. The project should prohibit smoking within 25 feet from building entrances, to the extent possible, in order to meet the credit requirements. If the applicant does not have the authority to prohibit smoking within 25 feet of the entrance, signage should be posted requesting that people do not smoke within 25 feet of the entrance. Applicable Internationally.