According to the IEQ Space Matrix, spaces can be excluded from this credit if they’re non-regularly occupied and not normally comfort conditioned. For example, the storage area of a warehouse that’s accessed only intermittently is a good candidate for exclusion. However, any space that building occupants are expected to spend fifteen minutes or more at a time can’t be exempted.
Areas with a metabolic rate outside of 1.0-1.3 need to use a different tool to show compliance with ASHRAE-55 for that space. For spaces with metabolic rates below 1.0, utilize a tool like this one from UC–Berkeley rather than following the graphical method.
ASHRAE-55 was designed to accommodate activities up to 2.0 MET, but it’s possible to have higher MET levels in your project if you have a kitchen, fitness center, gymnasium, or warehouse. If this is the case, refer to LEED interpretation #10279 for guidance.
You can establish compliance based on an alternative method to ASHRAE-55 by identifying an equivalent source of thermal comfort recommendations (from an industry group or a specialized ASHRAE design guide).
Supply air volume (CFM) is different from linear air speed measured in feet per minute (FPM). Linear air speed in FPM is relevant to comfort requirements. This information can be derived from the diffuser throw value.
No. A project can only earn up to 5 points. Exemplary performance can count for one of the 5 points for Path 4, 5, 10 and 11, or some other strategy, but that goes under Path 12, Other Quantifiable Environmental Performance.
No. But, if the schedule allows, you could stall your submittal until the building is certified. Or, if you are in a LEED registered building, the building will likely meet some of the individual paths under Option 2 that can be documented and submitted without having to wait for the whole building’s certification.
This credit must be applied to the whole building. The CI space can contribute, but the CI space can’t earn the credit on its own.
Here’s some options to consider for reducing heat island affect:
Add vegetated islands to surface parking that provide both heat island reduction and stormwater infiltration benefitsInstall open-grid paving in areas like walkways, patios, plazas, and courtyards as existing hardscape ages and needs to be replacedWhen your surface parking lot needs to be repaved, consider installing a high-albedo permeable or porous paver system designed specifically for parking applications.
No, parking spaces that are not under your direct control should not be included in SSc7.1.
The SRI compliance path generally isn’t feasible for projects that don’t already know the SRI of existing hardscape materials. If the SRI is unknown, you must send a sample of the material to a facility that can test to ASTM standards, which is usually cost- and time-prohibitive for project teams.