Schematic Design

A control can be as simple as a switch to turn air conditioning on or off, changing temperature in a small permitted range using a thermostat, or closing a diffuser to reduce air flow. 

Individually occupied spaces are defined as the place where an occupant spends most of their time, such as a private office, reception desk, workstations or cubicles in open-plan offices. 

An open office space is individually occupied where each person has an individual desk and defined space. 

For individually occupied spaces, identify the total number of workstations anticipated to be in each space per the project

Core and Shell projects must demonstrate that their base building provides all the potential and flexibility for a fit-out of multiple comfort controls that regulate at least one of the four comfort factors.

If less than 50% of occupants have access to operable windows, add more operable windows, adjust the layout, or add ducts, baseboards or diffusers with controls to add individual comfort controls. Run calculations again and redesign till 50% of people have access to the controls. 

How many people per control? Even though the credit calls for individual comfort controls, projects often earn this credit by grouping occupants around a single operable window. Similarly, a single mechanical system control can serve up to two occupants, contributing to the 50% credit threshold.

How many people per operable window? If using operable windows, locate as many people as possible close to them. Although strictly speaking it may make sense to count one person as needing one operable window, the experience of the LEEDuser team is that the credit has been approved by counting multiple people sitting close to a window as long as a person is within a 20-foot depth and a 10-foot length from one. The operable portion of the window must also be at least 4% of the size of the floor area of the space accessible to a given window, per ASHRAE 62.1-2007.

Each multi-occupant space should have at least one comfort control that regulates air temperature, radiant temperature, humidity, or air speed in that room. 

A multi-occupant space is space for group interactions, like classrooms, conference rooms, cafeterias, lobbies, warehouse loading areas, theaters, break rooms, commercial kitchens, retail stores, and exhibit spaces that expect large number of people to gather.