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LEED v2009
Existing Building Operations
Indoor Environmental Quality
Daylight and Views

LEED CREDIT

EBOM-2009 IEQc2.4: Daylight and Views 1 point

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Credit achievement rate

XX%

Upgrade to LEEDuser Premium to see how many projects achieved this credit. Try it free »

LEEDuser expert

Allison Beer McKenzie

SHP Leading Design
Architect, Director of Sustainability

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Credit language

USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Project teams must achieve the performance thresholds in either the daylight or views requirements below:

Option 1. Daylight
Through 1 of the 4 paths, achieve daylighting in at least 50% of all regularly occupied spaces.
Path 1. Simulation
Demonstrate through computer simulations that the applicable spaces achieve daylight illuminance levels of a minimum of 10 footcandles (fc) (108 lux) and a maximum of 500 fc (5,400 lux) in a clear sky condition on September 21 at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Provide glare control devices to avoid high-contrast situations that could impede visual tasks. However, designs that incorporate view-preserving automated shades for glare control may demonstrate compliance for only the minimum 10 fc (108 lux) illuminance level.

OR

Path 2. Prescriptive
For sidelighting zones:
  • Achieve a value, calculated as the product of the visible light transmittance (VLT) and window-to-floor area ratio (WFR) of daylight zone between 0.150 and 0.180.
  • 0.150

    VLT

    x

    WFR

    0.180

  • The window area included in the calculation must be at least 30 inches (0.8 meters) above the floor.
  • In section, the ceiling must not obstruct a line in that extends from the window-head to a point on the floor that is located twice the height of the window-head from the exterior wall as measured perpendicular to the glass (see diagram below).
  • Provide glare control devices to avoid high-contrast situations that could impede visual tasks. However, designs that incorporate view-preserving automated shades for glare control may demonstrate compliance for only the minimum 0.150 value.
For toplighting zones:
  • The toplighting zone under a skylight is the outline of the opening beneath the skylight, plus in each direction the lesser of (see diagram below):
    • 70% of the ceiling height,
    • 1/2 the distance to the edge of the nearest skylight,
    • The distance to any permanent partition that is closer than 70% of the distance between the top of the partition and the ceiling.
See all forum discussions about this credit »

What does it cost?

Cost estimates for this credit

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Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.

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Frequently asked questions

What qualifies as “regularly occupied spaces” for this credit? Does the total amount of regularly occupied space used for this credit have to match other credits?

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We have some vacant tenant spaces. How should I account for those when documenting this credit?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Our multi-story, multi-tenant building has many different floor plans and cubical configurations. Do we need to provide section drawings and floor plans for every space in order to document Option 2: Views?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

See all forum discussions about this credit »

Addenda

1/15/2016Updated: 4/7/2016
Form Update
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Revise the definition for regularly occupied spaces to be, "Regularly occupied spaces are areas where one or more individuals normally spend time (more than one hour per person per day on average) seated or standing as they work, study, or perform other focused activities inside a building."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
5/9/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Replace section with that of the supplementary document.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In alphabetical order, add the following definition for non-regularly occupied space, "Non-regularly occupied spaces are spaces that occupants pass through, or spaces used in pursuit of focused activities for less than one hour per person per day (on average)."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
12/2/2009Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Insert the term "Bay" in alphabetical order with the accompanying text "A bay is a component of a standard, rectilinear building design. It is the open area defined by a building element such as columns or a window. Typically, there are multiple identical bays in succession."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
5/9/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Replace section with that of the supplementary document.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In alphabetical order, add the following definition for occupied spaces, "Occupied Spaces are defined as enclosed spaces that can accommodate human activities. Occupied spaces are further classified as regularly occupied or non-regularly occupied spaces based on the duration of the occupancy, individual or multi-occupant based on the quantity of occupants, and densely or non-densely occupied spaces based upon the concentration of occupants in the space."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In alphabetical order, add the following definition for nonoccupied spaces, "Nonoccupied spaces are defined as spaces designed for equipment and machinery or storage with no human occupancy except for maintenance, repairs, and equipment retrieval."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In the first bulleted item, replace the text "MR Credit 2: Sustainable Purchasing - Durable Goods" with "MR Credit 2.1: Sustainable Purchasing - Electric-Powered Equipment" and, below as a new bulleted item, "MR Credit 2.2: Sustainable Purchasing - Furniture"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
9/15/2008
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

This Credit Interpretation Request is in reference to a 90,000 square foot office building, research laboratory and data center, which utilizes extensive internal vision glazing and open office design to visually connect most occupants to landscaped exteriors. Offices with internal vision glazing are typically occupied by individuals that occasionally require the privacy of a closed-door office, i.e. those with direct reports and those having access to confidential information. In order to maximize their views when not in need of privacy, reverse wound spring hinges will hold the office doors in the open position as a default. The doors can, of course, be shut manually when the occupant desires privacy. This is a similar situation to the CIR of 10/23/2006 where sliding wall panels were used in residential sleeping rooms. USGBC ruled that the Views calculations could be performed with the panels in the open position. We would like to calculate the views for each of these offices equipped with reverse wound hinges in the open position. For each office using doors equipped with reverse wound spring hinges, which default the doors to the open position, is it acceptable to calculate EQ c8.2 Views with doors in the open position?

Ruling:

Can open doors qualify as vision glazing for the purposes of this credit? Open doors do not meet the requirements of this credit to provide views to the outdoors. The intent of this credit is to provide a connection between indoor spaces and the outdoors through the introduction of daylight and views into the regularly occupied areas of the building. While the described design periodically provides limited views through office doors that default to open, this strategy does not guarantee views for the occupants. From the provided description it is unclear at to why vision glazing cannot be incorporated into these spaces to ensure quality views at all times (allowing for privacy needs with some form of shades or blinds). Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
10/1/2012
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

We would like to submit a CIR to request a streamlined approach for the daylight documentation. We have the particular condition of an identical cluster of office buildings. In spite of having the same foot print, each building will be uniquely impacted by orientation variation and specific surrounding context condition. The intent is to fully document one building showing that the amount of light increases as you move up through the floor plates. Then to proceed to document the worst case scenario of each building (ground floor) or the level that is least exposed to solar access. If the worst case scenario passes, then we infer based on our test case that the upper floors of the building will pass as well. This will help us streamline not only the documentation process for so many buildings but also the review process. Is this an acceptable documentation method for this credit?

Ruling:

The project team is requesting whether a campus credit may be pursued for IEQc8.1. Daylight and Views: Daylight through a typical floor plan and worst case scenario daylight calculations.Yes, the typical floor plan and worst-case scenario daylight calculations may be used for the campus credit and applied to all buildings within the master site that have identical floor plans. The 2010 Application Guide for Multiple Buildings and On-Campus Projects identifies IEQc8.1 as an individual building credit and states that each building should pursue the credit individually. However, in the same way that a multi-story building may provide a single floor plan for each grouping of identical floors, if buildings within the Master Site are identical, the same documentation may be used for each identical building. Any of the calculation methods (simulation, prescriptive, measurement) may be used. Documentation for the campus credit and associated projects must demonstrate how the worst case scenario was determined and that the only difference in the buildings is the orientation on the site. The footprint, square footage and interior layout of the buildings must be identical. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/10/2007
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

One wall of our building is a curtain wall. This curtain wall contains 4 different types of glazing, each with a different visible transmittance value, all within one room. We propose using the average visible transmittance value of the four types of glazing to do daylighting calculations for areas adjacent to the curtain wall. Please advise whether this approach is acceptable.

Ruling:

No, the method described of taking the overall average visible transmittance value of all four types of glazing within the curtain wall and using it for all areas adjacent to the curtain wall is not an acceptable means of calculating the daylight factor of the areas in question. However, doing a weighted average of the visible transmittance value (Tvis) of all the glazing classified as daylight glazing and a weighted average of the visible transmittance values of all the glazing classified as vision glazing on a room by room basis would be acceptable. This methodology would effectively take into account the window geometry and associated minimum visible transmittance values. Alternatively, the project team may elect to perform a daylight simulation model to demonstrate credit compliance. See the LEED NC v2.1 EQc8.1 ruling dated 6/21/2004 for guidance on pursuing this approach. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
10/1/2012
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

The LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction, 2009 Edition and LEED Reference Guide for Green Interior Design and Construction, 2009 Edition indicate the following instructions for determining the direct line of sight in section view. "Using representative building sections, draw a line at 42 inches (typical seated eye height) across the section to establish eye height and any obstruction to the perimeter glazing, Draw one or more representative sight lines from a point at eye height in the regularly occupied space to the perimeter vision glazing."Is the direct line of sight drawn from the area to the perimeter vision glazing in section view required to be a horizontal line at 42 inches above the finished floor? Can the direct line of sight slope from 42 inches at the seated area to any location within the vision glazing?

Ruling:

To determine direct lines of sight in section, provide one or more representative sight lines from a point at eye height (42 inches) in the regularly occupied space to perimeter vision glazing between 30 inches and 90 inches above the finished floor of the building. The direct line of sight may be slope from 42 inches at the seated area to any unobstructed area of the vision glazing. The direct line of sight is not required to be horizontal at 42 inches only. Internationally Applicable.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/16/2007
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Our office building client is considering raising their desk partitions to help with acoustics. Our team believes that acoustic quality is an important component of Indoor Environmental Quality, even though it is not directly addressed by LEED. Therefore we are trying to carefully balance this concern with LEED credit requirements. Raising the furniture partitions just 6-inches to 66-inches total will help significantly, according to a study performed by a professional acoustics consultant. The client is proposing to make the portion of the panel above 60-inches clear, so as not to intrude on the daylighting and views. Will this still allow the furniture panels to be excluded from the calculations for daylighting and views? A previous CIR cites TRANSLUCENT panels, and suggests that these would not be acceptable. Our client is considering clear panels.

Ruling:

Views through interior glazing may be counted under this credit. However the horizontal view requirement of the credit must still be demonstrated from the seated height average of 42 inches. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
See all forum discussions about this credit »

Checklists

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Credit achievement rate

XX%

Upgrade to LEEDuser Premium to see how many projects achieved this credit. Try it free »

LEEDuser expert

Allison Beer McKenzie

SHP Leading Design
Architect, Director of Sustainability

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USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Project teams must achieve the performance thresholds in either the daylight or views requirements below:

Option 1. Daylight
Through 1 of the 4 paths, achieve daylighting in at least 50% of all regularly occupied spaces.
Path 1. Simulation
Demonstrate through computer simulations that the applicable spaces achieve daylight illuminance levels of a minimum of 10 footcandles (fc) (108 lux) and a maximum of 500 fc (5,400 lux) in a clear sky condition on September 21 at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Provide glare control devices to avoid high-contrast situations that could impede visual tasks. However, designs that incorporate view-preserving automated shades for glare control may demonstrate compliance for only the minimum 10 fc (108 lux) illuminance level.

OR

Path 2. Prescriptive
For sidelighting zones:
  • Achieve a value, calculated as the product of the visible light transmittance (VLT) and window-to-floor area ratio (WFR) of daylight zone between 0.150 and 0.180.
  • 0.150

    VLT

    x

    WFR

    0.180

  • The window area included in the calculation must be at least 30 inches (0.8 meters) above the floor.
  • In section, the ceiling must not obstruct a line in that extends from the window-head to a point on the floor that is located twice the height of the window-head from the exterior wall as measured perpendicular to the glass (see diagram below).
  • Provide glare control devices to avoid high-contrast situations that could impede visual tasks. However, designs that incorporate view-preserving automated shades for glare control may demonstrate compliance for only the minimum 0.150 value.
For toplighting zones:
  • The toplighting zone under a skylight is the outline of the opening beneath the skylight, plus in each direction the lesser of (see diagram below):
    • 70% of the ceiling height,
    • 1/2 the distance to the edge of the nearest skylight,
    • The distance to any permanent partition that is closer than 70% of the distance between the top of the partition and the ceiling.

XX%

Upgrade to LEEDuser Premium to see how many projects achieved this credit. Try it free »

Got the gist of IEQc2.4 but not sure how to actually achieve it? LEEDuser gives step-by-step help. Premium members get:

  • Checklists covering all the key action steps you'll need to earn the credit.
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  • Cost tips to assess what a credit will actually cost, and how to make it affordable.
  • Ideas for going beyond LEED with best practices.
  • All checklists organized by project phase.
  • On-the-fly suggestions of useful items from the Documentation Toolkit and Credit Language.

In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit, for premium members only, saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:

  • Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
  • Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
  • Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
  • Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
  • Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
  • Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.

What qualifies as “regularly occupied spaces” for this credit? Does the total amount of regularly occupied space used for this credit have to match other credits?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

We have some vacant tenant spaces. How should I account for those when documenting this credit?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Our multi-story, multi-tenant building has many different floor plans and cubical configurations. Do we need to provide section drawings and floor plans for every space in order to document Option 2: Views?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

1/15/2016Updated: 4/7/2016
Form Update
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Revise the definition for regularly occupied spaces to be, "Regularly occupied spaces are areas where one or more individuals normally spend time (more than one hour per person per day on average) seated or standing as they work, study, or perform other focused activities inside a building."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
5/9/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Replace section with that of the supplementary document.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In alphabetical order, add the following definition for non-regularly occupied space, "Non-regularly occupied spaces are spaces that occupants pass through, or spaces used in pursuit of focused activities for less than one hour per person per day (on average)."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
12/2/2009Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Insert the term "Bay" in alphabetical order with the accompanying text "A bay is a component of a standard, rectilinear building design. It is the open area defined by a building element such as columns or a window. Typically, there are multiple identical bays in succession."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
5/9/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Replace section with that of the supplementary document.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In alphabetical order, add the following definition for occupied spaces, "Occupied Spaces are defined as enclosed spaces that can accommodate human activities. Occupied spaces are further classified as regularly occupied or non-regularly occupied spaces based on the duration of the occupancy, individual or multi-occupant based on the quantity of occupants, and densely or non-densely occupied spaces based upon the concentration of occupants in the space."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In alphabetical order, add the following definition for nonoccupied spaces, "Nonoccupied spaces are defined as spaces designed for equipment and machinery or storage with no human occupancy except for maintenance, repairs, and equipment retrieval."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/14/2010Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In the first bulleted item, replace the text "MR Credit 2: Sustainable Purchasing - Durable Goods" with "MR Credit 2.1: Sustainable Purchasing - Electric-Powered Equipment" and, below as a new bulleted item, "MR Credit 2.2: Sustainable Purchasing - Furniture"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
9/15/2008
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

This Credit Interpretation Request is in reference to a 90,000 square foot office building, research laboratory and data center, which utilizes extensive internal vision glazing and open office design to visually connect most occupants to landscaped exteriors. Offices with internal vision glazing are typically occupied by individuals that occasionally require the privacy of a closed-door office, i.e. those with direct reports and those having access to confidential information. In order to maximize their views when not in need of privacy, reverse wound spring hinges will hold the office doors in the open position as a default. The doors can, of course, be shut manually when the occupant desires privacy. This is a similar situation to the CIR of 10/23/2006 where sliding wall panels were used in residential sleeping rooms. USGBC ruled that the Views calculations could be performed with the panels in the open position. We would like to calculate the views for each of these offices equipped with reverse wound hinges in the open position. For each office using doors equipped with reverse wound spring hinges, which default the doors to the open position, is it acceptable to calculate EQ c8.2 Views with doors in the open position?

Ruling:

Can open doors qualify as vision glazing for the purposes of this credit? Open doors do not meet the requirements of this credit to provide views to the outdoors. The intent of this credit is to provide a connection between indoor spaces and the outdoors through the introduction of daylight and views into the regularly occupied areas of the building. While the described design periodically provides limited views through office doors that default to open, this strategy does not guarantee views for the occupants. From the provided description it is unclear at to why vision glazing cannot be incorporated into these spaces to ensure quality views at all times (allowing for privacy needs with some form of shades or blinds). Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
10/1/2012
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

We would like to submit a CIR to request a streamlined approach for the daylight documentation. We have the particular condition of an identical cluster of office buildings. In spite of having the same foot print, each building will be uniquely impacted by orientation variation and specific surrounding context condition. The intent is to fully document one building showing that the amount of light increases as you move up through the floor plates. Then to proceed to document the worst case scenario of each building (ground floor) or the level that is least exposed to solar access. If the worst case scenario passes, then we infer based on our test case that the upper floors of the building will pass as well. This will help us streamline not only the documentation process for so many buildings but also the review process. Is this an acceptable documentation method for this credit?

Ruling:

The project team is requesting whether a campus credit may be pursued for IEQc8.1. Daylight and Views: Daylight through a typical floor plan and worst case scenario daylight calculations.Yes, the typical floor plan and worst-case scenario daylight calculations may be used for the campus credit and applied to all buildings within the master site that have identical floor plans. The 2010 Application Guide for Multiple Buildings and On-Campus Projects identifies IEQc8.1 as an individual building credit and states that each building should pursue the credit individually. However, in the same way that a multi-story building may provide a single floor plan for each grouping of identical floors, if buildings within the Master Site are identical, the same documentation may be used for each identical building. Any of the calculation methods (simulation, prescriptive, measurement) may be used. Documentation for the campus credit and associated projects must demonstrate how the worst case scenario was determined and that the only difference in the buildings is the orientation on the site. The footprint, square footage and interior layout of the buildings must be identical. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
4/10/2007
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

One wall of our building is a curtain wall. This curtain wall contains 4 different types of glazing, each with a different visible transmittance value, all within one room. We propose using the average visible transmittance value of the four types of glazing to do daylighting calculations for areas adjacent to the curtain wall. Please advise whether this approach is acceptable.

Ruling:

No, the method described of taking the overall average visible transmittance value of all four types of glazing within the curtain wall and using it for all areas adjacent to the curtain wall is not an acceptable means of calculating the daylight factor of the areas in question. However, doing a weighted average of the visible transmittance value (Tvis) of all the glazing classified as daylight glazing and a weighted average of the visible transmittance values of all the glazing classified as vision glazing on a room by room basis would be acceptable. This methodology would effectively take into account the window geometry and associated minimum visible transmittance values. Alternatively, the project team may elect to perform a daylight simulation model to demonstrate credit compliance. See the LEED NC v2.1 EQc8.1 ruling dated 6/21/2004 for guidance on pursuing this approach. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
10/1/2012
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

The LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction, 2009 Edition and LEED Reference Guide for Green Interior Design and Construction, 2009 Edition indicate the following instructions for determining the direct line of sight in section view. "Using representative building sections, draw a line at 42 inches (typical seated eye height) across the section to establish eye height and any obstruction to the perimeter glazing, Draw one or more representative sight lines from a point at eye height in the regularly occupied space to the perimeter vision glazing."Is the direct line of sight drawn from the area to the perimeter vision glazing in section view required to be a horizontal line at 42 inches above the finished floor? Can the direct line of sight slope from 42 inches at the seated area to any location within the vision glazing?

Ruling:

To determine direct lines of sight in section, provide one or more representative sight lines from a point at eye height (42 inches) in the regularly occupied space to perimeter vision glazing between 30 inches and 90 inches above the finished floor of the building. The direct line of sight may be slope from 42 inches at the seated area to any unobstructed area of the vision glazing. The direct line of sight is not required to be horizontal at 42 inches only. Internationally Applicable.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
1/16/2007
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Our office building client is considering raising their desk partitions to help with acoustics. Our team believes that acoustic quality is an important component of Indoor Environmental Quality, even though it is not directly addressed by LEED. Therefore we are trying to carefully balance this concern with LEED credit requirements. Raising the furniture partitions just 6-inches to 66-inches total will help significantly, according to a study performed by a professional acoustics consultant. The client is proposing to make the portion of the panel above 60-inches clear, so as not to intrude on the daylighting and views. Will this still allow the furniture panels to be excluded from the calculations for daylighting and views? A previous CIR cites TRANSLUCENT panels, and suggests that these would not be acceptable. Our client is considering clear panels.

Ruling:

Views through interior glazing may be counted under this credit. However the horizontal view requirement of the credit must still be demonstrated from the seated height average of 42 inches. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes

LEEDuser expert

Allison Beer McKenzie

SHP Leading Design
Architect, Director of Sustainability

See all LEEDuser forum discussions about this credit » Unsubscribe from discussions about EBOM-2009 IEQc2.4