The system capacity should be based on the outdoor units, while all parts of the system including outdoor, indoor units, branch selectors and piping should be counted for the total refrigerant charge.
Any permanently installed piece of equipment containing greater than 0.5 lbs. of refrigerant and included in the project scope should be included in calculations.
All HVAC&R equipment that will serve the project building should be included in the calculations.
Only the default leakage rate of 2% is accepted in the credit calculations.
IAQ testing is not a formal option to use as an alternative to the required flush-out. However, because IAQ testing is still an option with similar credits in other rating systems, it may be possible to use this strategy in conjunction with a CIR.
There isn’t an alternative to meeting the temperature and humidity requirements of the flush-out. This component of the flush-out has to be met.
A guidance document has been developed by USGBC that provides international alternative compliance paths (referencing local standards) and additional LEED Online credit forms for international projects.
USGBC has not publicized a blanket policy on whether dorms would be considered residential projects per this credit, and it is up to the discretion of the project team to determine the most appropriate project type and whether this credit can be pursued. If the dorm includes common areas, lounges, game areas, kitchen, etc. there may be opportunity for this credit to be pursued, but GBCI may not approve of this—it's best to check.
No, LEED does not define a minimum number of occupants that need to respond to the survey. However, if 20% of those that do respond are dissatisfied or uncomfortable, corrective action plan must be put in place.
The seven-point scale is referred to in the Implementation section for this credit in the LEED Reference Guide, and LEEDuser has heard that a requirement for such a scale has been consistently called for by reviewers.
Our understanding is that LEED is following the Likert 7-point scale as a standard. It is the most widely used and accepted approach to scaling questions in survey research. Likert scales can be 5-point but there is some debate in the survey world about 7-point being better.