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LEED IEQ Space Matrix - Frequently Asked Questions

Earlier editions of this spreadsheet from USGBC raised more questions than they answered, but some of the frequently asked questions about the matrix have been addressed with this latest release.
Lauren Sparandara
April 5, 2013

The IEQ Space Matrix, currently in its third edition as of April 1, 2015, contains lists that categorize spaces for applicability to LEED Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) credits. The lists are modified from the spaces in IES Lighting Handbook, 10th Edition. These lists should be used along with the general credit guidance, notes, and definitions provided in the General Credit Guidance and Notes and Definitions tabs.

Earlier editions of this spreadsheet raised more questions for some of us than they answered, but some of the frequently asked questions about the matrix have been answered with this latest release.

Note: Most of the FAQs below apply primarily to IEQc6.

Is the IEQ Space Matrix a Guidance Document or is it required?

If your project was registered after the release of the IEQ Space Matrix then LEED reviewers will expect you to use the matrix to help determine which spaces to include in various credit requirements. However, as is the case for all LEED credits, if you have an exceptional circumstance you can make a case in a narrative for why your project must take a path not outlined or clarified in the matrix.

Do only “regularly occupied spaces” or do all “occupied spaces” need to be included?

Per the IEQ Space Matrix, if a space is non-regularly occupied then it does not have to be included in IEQc6.1 or EQc6.2. The version of the matrix released 4/1/13 makes this delineation more clearly. Also, hallways and bathrooms are now officially excluded from the credit requirements.

I am working on a residential project. How many lighting controls do I need?

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Per the IEQ Space Matrix, for all individual and multi-occupant spaces, each space must have one lighting control to be counted towards the credit. For IEQc6.2, each unit must have its own thermal control to be counted towards the credit.  More information by room for IEQc6.1 and IEQc6.2:

  • Bedrooms: Yes, need to be included in IEQc6.1 and IEQc6.2 as an individual occupant space. For this space to count towards credit for IEQc6.1 or IEQc6 (CS), one lighting control must be included in the space. For this space to count towards credit for IEQc6.2 or IEQc6 (CS), one thermal control must be located within the residential unit. The location of the control does not matter.
  • Dorm Room: Yes, needs to be included in IEQc6.1 and IEQc6.2 as an individual occupant space. For this space to count towards credit for IEQc6.2 or IEQc6 (CS), one thermal control must be located within the room.
  • Living: Yes, needs to be included in IEQc6.1 and IEQc6.2 as a multi-occupant space.
  • Circulation/Hallways: This space is not included in the credit requirements.
  • Dining: Yes, need to be included in IEQc6.1 and IEQc6.2 as a multi-occupant space. For this space to count towards credit for IEQc6.1 or IEQc6 (CS), one lighting control must be included in the space. For this space to count towards credit for IEQc6.2 or IEQc6 (CS), one thermal control must be located within the residential unit. The location of the control does not matter.
  • Bathroom: This space is not included in the credit requirements.
  • Workrooms: Yes, need to be included in IEQc6.1 and IEQc6.2 as a multi-occupant space. For this space to count towards credit for IEQc6.1 or IEQc6 (CS), one lighting control must be included in the space. For this space to count towards credit for IEQc6.2 or IEQc6 (CS), one thermal control must be located within the residential unit. The location of the control does not matter.
  • Kitchens: Yes, need to be included in IEQc6.1 and IEQc6.2 as a multi-occupant space. For this space to count towards credit for IEQc6.1 or IEQc6 (CS), one lighting control must be included in the space. For this space to count towards credit for IEQc6.2 or IEQc6 (CS), one thermal control must be located within the residential unit. The location of the control does not matter.
  • Laundry: This space is not included in the credit requirements.
  • Walk-in Closets: This space is not included in the credit requirements.

I am working on a Healthcare project. How has the matrix outlined spaces for my project?

See the IEQ space matrix for a full list of rooms. Some key rooms that are to excluded include: Patient Room Bathrooms, Linen Areas, Medical Records rooms, Nursing Short Term Charting Spaces, Supply and Nutrition areas, and prep and clean up areas. Critical care areas are also excluded as an exception for the credit. Also, In-patient critical care, Pediatric, Psychiatric patient rooms can be excluded from the credit requirements. The only rooms that are considered individual occupant spaces are medical offices, nursing stations, and patient rooms. Operating rooms are still considered multi-occupant spaces.

The LEED Healthcare Reference Guide supplement also provides additional detailed guidance for space designations that is quite helpful. USGBC has not folded all of this content into the matrix.

I am working on a Hospitality project. How has the matrix outlined spaces for my project?

The Front Desk, Housekeeping areas, and lobby must be included as multi-occupant spaces. Hospitality guest rooms can be excluded from lighting and thermal control requirements.

I am working on a Retail project but not using LEED for Retail. How has the matrix outlined spaces for my project?

Retail projects not pursuing LEED for Retail, may pursue the LEED for Retail credit IEQc6 for 1 point in lieu of IEQc6.1 and IEQc6.2 for 2 points, which allows all areas except office and administrative areas to be excluded from the controls requirements.

The categories given in the IEQ space matrix don’t really fit how some of the rooms in my project will be used. What should I do?

Use your best judgment. The matrix states, “exceptions to area use classifications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis for spaces with atypical uses or those in which strategies required for compliance may compromise the function of the space. This is not an exhaustive list.  If a space is not listed, project teams should try to find a similar space type and follow that guidance.”

Safety and code compliance have to always come first. You can always try writing a strong narrative to make your case for your project’s exception. However, it’s important to keep in mind that some project types may simply not be well aligned with the credit’s requirements. In that case, it might best to focus your efforts on other LEED credits that are more applicable.

I’m working on a project that has transient occupants. How does the matrix address transients, and are transients required to have access to the controls?

The matrix includes several space types that have transient occupants, for example: libraries, auditoriums, and transportation terminals. Controls must be provided for these spaces if they are listed as individual occupant or multi occupant and have the corresponding "Yes" in the relevant credit column—for example. For more on addressing controls in multi-occupant spaces, see LEEDuser's guidance on IEQc6.1 and IEQc6.2.

Your questions

Have you looked at the new IEQ Space Matrix? Post your questions and thoughts below. Also see LEEDuser's IEQ credit pages for more guidance on specific credit-by-credit requirements.

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Comments

March 15, 2016 - 8:18 pm

Is there a space matrix available for LEED V4?

March 23, 2016 - 12:11 pm

Hi Anzor,

Not necessarily. The IEQ Matrix addresses both multi-occupant and individual occupant spaces. For instance, if you check out the "BD+C and ID+C Matrix" tab you'll see that under "Cells", for example, there is an indication that they are generally considered Individual Occ. Spaces.

Lauren

March 23, 2016 - 2:37 am

Hi Lauren,

Thank you for your prompt feedback. Another quick question please, are all the spaces in the aforementioned matrix to be included in the " shared multi-occupant spaces ' part of the credit ? i.e. the matrix doesn't segregate between areas applicable to the individual workstations parts of the credit against the shared multi-occupant spaces part. As the definition of the shared multi-occupant spaces as per the reference guide is " spaces including conference rooms, classrooms, and other indoor spaces used as a place of congregation." which differs from the definition stated in the matrix " places of congregation, or where occupants pursue overlapping or collaborative tasks. Multi occupant spaces may be regularly or non-regularly occupied spaces. ".

Thank you for your help ! :)

March 22, 2016 - 7:02 pm

Hi Anzor,

The space matrix was first released in November 2011. From a procedural standpoint, the matrix is essentially an extension of the reference guide or guidance document. It was never published as a LEED Interpretation.

The existing FAQ I wrote earlier may also help:
Is the IEQ Space Matrix a Guidance Document or is it required?
If your project was registered after the release of the IEQ Space Matrix then LEED reviewers will expect you to use the matrix to help determine which spaces to include in various credit requirements. However, as is the case for all LEED credits, if you have an exceptional circumstance you can make a case in a narrative for why your project must take a path not outlined or clarified in the matrix.

March 22, 2016 - 5:08 am

Hi Lauren,

Could you please advise when was the release date of the IEQ Space Matrix. Since I have a project which was registered on Dec 20th , 2011. I was wondering if this list would be applicable and mandatory in my submittal for IEQ 6.1.

Thanks,
Anzor

March 16, 2016 - 1:31 pm

Hi Quentin,

The USGBC has not yet created a matrix for LEED v4, instead similar content was added to the reference guide, in the intro section or the EQ credit category.

Thanks,
Lauren

January 14, 2016 - 11:01 am

Should an aerobics classroom area be considered as a multi-occupant area under IEQc6.2? It is not really an area were you do presentations or training but exercising classes.

March 23, 2016 - 12:13 pm

Yes, I would consider it multi-occupant.

June 1, 2015 - 10:03 am

Would someone be able to share the current April 2015 copy of the EQ Space Matrix on this site without linking to USGBC Credit Resources? The file located in Credit Resources (http://www.usgbc.org/resources/eq-space-type-matrix) downloads, but does not open. We just receive the message: "Excel cannot open this file. The file might have been damaged or modified from its original version." Thanks!

June 1, 2015 - 3:19 pm

I just downloaded it from usgbc with no problems. I'm using Firefox.

March 27, 2015 - 11:21 am

Hello,
Our project has an underground parking garage. It is a non-occupied space since no one is working there.
I could not find any parking or similar space in the Space Matrix (Oct 2013) table, so I'm not sure how to go about it.
But, the Space Matrix states in Allowed Exclusions column, for IEQp1/IEQ2: "Nonoccupied spaces and restrooms are excluded from the Ventilation Rate Procedure (or natural ventilation) requirements". Does it mean than our parking garage is excluded from any calculation in IEQp1 and IEQ2?
ASHRAE 62.1 defines a minimum exhaust air rate for parking garages, but the above statement overrides it in case of non-occupied parking garages, right?
Thanks for your help!

April 10, 2015 - 8:41 am

The requirements of EQp1 outlined within the LEED reference guide require the project team to meet the minimum requirements of Sections 4 through 7 of ASHRAE 62.1. Section 6.2.8 of the standard requires exhaust per Table 6-4. Parking Garages are listed in this table and require an exhaust rate of 0.75 cfm/square foot.

Similar to restrooms, parking garages are excluded from the ventilation rate procedure. However they are not excluded from the exhaust requirements outlined in Table 6-4.

I hope this provides better guidance.

April 10, 2015 - 5:26 am

Could you elaborate? Why the Space Matrix would not apply to parking garage?

April 2, 2015 - 5:08 pm

enclosed parking garages will need to comply with the exhaust rate listed in table 6-4 of ASHRAE 62.1.

December 19, 2013 - 4:46 pm

Three questions here:
-What space type should I use for a vending room (enclosed room with vending machines)?
-What space type should I use for a small enclosed room for recycling containers?
-What space type should I used for a janitor's closet?

Thank you.

December 26, 2013 - 8:21 pm

You too, Lauren. Thank you both for your help - I'm very grateful to LEEDUser for allowing me to check my understanding.

December 23, 2013 - 3:52 pm

I agree with your approach, Lyle. Happy holidays!

December 23, 2013 - 3:23 pm

Lyle, I think your interpretations sound pretty reasonable. Thanks for sharing more details on your thinking.

December 19, 2013 - 8:58 pm

Thanks, Lauren. I guess that is all that matters, so no need to dig deeper, but I still wanted to confirm that I am correctly applying the space matrix.
Tristan, I think the recycling and vending rooms are non-regularly occupied service spaces, so "stairways and corridors" seems like the best fit. The janitor's closet is a non-regularly occupied storage space, so I'm thinking "Warehouse and Storage: Inactive/Nonoccupied". Sound right?
I'm also dealing with a large storage area, which includes lockers for military personnel and locked caged areas for equipment storage. I'm treating the areas with lockers as "locker room", and the caged storage area as "Warehouse and Storage: Inactive/Nonoccupied". My hesitation is that the military personnel may occupy the space for longer than a typical locker room, because they use the space to assemble their gear (set up their packs). I appreciate your thoughts on this.

December 19, 2013 - 7:20 pm

Hi Lyle,

Most of those spaces sound like Non-Regularly Occupied Spaces or Non-Occupied Spaces. Please see the Notes and Definitions tab of the IEQ Space Matrix for more details. These spaces can be excluded.

December 19, 2013 - 5:10 pm

Lyle, help us help you. For each space, what's your best guess and why aren't you sure?

November 5, 2013 - 8:53 am

Hi,

Our project is an industrial building with a large bottle filling facility. That bottle filling machine is situated in a large space (approx. 100,000 sf and 10 meters high). In this space there will be around 6-8 people working. They will be mobile in the space to check the process. Is this large space counted as regularly occupied?

If yes, since the space is so large, we won't be able to get any credits involving regularly occupied spaces... And all the improvements we do in the office area with 50 people working (5000 sf) won't have any impact in total.

Thank you.

December 23, 2013 - 3:49 pm

Hi Aaron,

The space isn't like a corridor because it has people working in it. It needs to be an occupied space. I am not sure why you think you won't be able to get any of the credits involving regularly occupied spaces or why you think that it won't have an impact.

Happy holidays!

December 23, 2013 - 3:27 pm

Aaron, I think you are correct that it should be considered a regularly occupied space. I hear you that this will introduce some complications as far as LEED credits are concerned. 

In LEED v4, there are some new credits that are more tailored for warehouses and distribution facilities. This might be worth a look. 

November 6, 2013 - 3:58 am

Yes, I did. According to sheet it may be considered as a Manufacturing facility and a regularly occupied space. However, that space is so large and very few people in it. Also, there is no stationary working places in it. I think it should be considered non-occupied like a corridor, but I don't know how reviewers will evaluate.

November 5, 2013 - 9:44 am

Aaron, have you checked the IEQ Space Matrix yet?

September 18, 2013 - 9:47 am

Can anyone guide me to find the older version (version 1 and 2)?

Thanks

November 5, 2013 - 9:31 am

I think I have inadvertently saved a link to the older IEQ space matrix.

September 18, 2013 - 8:37 pm

I got the review from the reviewer that I need to provide flush-out and ASHRAE55 comfort for the locker room. They said it depents on the registeration date and the EQ space matrix version during that time. So, I just have a little hope that the past version did not rquired flush-out and comfort for the lockers (and other zone such as recycle rooms and restroom).

September 18, 2013 - 1:48 pm

Hi Jatuwat,

That's an interesting question. I don't know where you could find the older version. Can I ask why you would like to see it? The latest version is much clearer in my opinion.

April 18, 2013 - 4:38 pm

Our project hasn't gone through any precertifications yet. The project was registered in one name but now the name has changed. I am the project admin and I could change it in LEED Online under the "Registration Details". Do I need to follow up this change in any other way, or changing it in the Project Registration Details is good enough. Thanks!

April 18, 2013 - 4:45 pm

Thank you for replying! Sorry about posting it in the wrong place. I thought I was in the General forum tab.

April 18, 2013 - 4:43 pm

Hi Shivani,
I think that your question may be in the wrong place. This is a forum area for question about the IEQ space matrix.
To answer your question though - what you've done is correct and should be all that is needed. Just a tip though to make sure you've made that change in all places and in all forms and documents. For instance, on one project we forgot to update our Energy Star form and then had to make those corrections in our final review.

April 18, 2013 - 9:57 am

I'm a bit confused about whether corridors/hallways are in or out? Under one of the FAQs above it is stated: "Also, hallways and bathrooms are now officially excluded from the credit requirements."
However, looking at the BD+C and ID+C matrix tab of the spreadsheet itself, under "Service Spaces" a distinction is made between "Egress stairway or dedicated emergency exit corridor" (always "N") and "Stairways and corridors" (some "N", some "Y").
- Is it correct to assume that the latter category only refers to "extraneous" corridors and stairs beyond what is required for egress?
- Are there definitions in the IES handbook (from which this table derives) of these category terms?

April 18, 2013 - 8:43 pm

She also said that your space should be classified under Services Spaces>Stairways and Corridors

April 18, 2013 - 4:46 pm

Wolfgang, I spoke with Larissa Oaks, our GBCI representative for this IEQ Space Matrix. She confirmed that it is correct to assume that the latter category only refers to extraneous corridors and stairs beyond what is required for egress. These would be stairways and corridors that would be used more regularly for circulation.

Unfortunately there are not definitions or additional details about the spaces. Project teams are to just their best judgement to select the appropriate space.

April 18, 2013 - 1:51 pm

Got it. Sorry. Should have read the header more carefully.

I do not know the answer to your question but I have emailed the GBCI creator of this document and I hope to hear back from her soon. I will let you know just as soon as I do. I might suggest you post the question to the IEQp1 forum as well. By the way, it may seem frustrating to post your question multiple places. I do it too, though, and it generally increases my chances in getting a response I need. It also raises awareness around an issue or question.

April 18, 2013 - 1:37 pm

I'm interested in IEQp1 - see my header :) - where that distinction seems to matter. I'm dealing with an LEED NC Major Renovation institutional project with a fair amount of grand staircases seamlessly connected to corridors (no doors between them) that are used for general circulation but also serve as the required means of egress. (The building is more than 100 years old, i.e. was built before the modern way of enclosed/fire-rated stairways and corridors was developed.) Therefore, I'm not quite sure how to classify them for the purpose of the IEQ Space Matrix.

April 18, 2013 - 1:13 pm

Hi Wolfgang,

Which credit(s) are you interested in finding out about? In the case of EQc6.1 and EQc6.2 all Service Spaces are excluded. In the case of IEQp1/EQc2, EQc1, EQc3.2 there are some differences in how certain Service Spaces are addressed. The discussion above mostly relates to how project teams would use the IEQ Space Matrix to achieve EQc6.1 and EQc6.2.
I do not know of a free version of the IES Handbook but I can see about getting access to some definitions.

April 17, 2013 - 12:35 pm

Why are guestrooms excluded? It seems they should be in the same realm as dorm rooms or bedrooms. They typically help me get these credits for hospitality projects - are they excluded because they make things too easy?

March 26, 2014 - 6:29 pm

So if you choose to include them for IEQc6.1 and 6.2 do you count each room as one workstation? Or do you need to have multiple workstations in each room?

June 20, 2013 - 5:25 pm

That makes sense, in a way. Thanks for the clarification Lauren!

June 20, 2013 - 4:44 pm

Hi Gary,

For EQc6.1 and EQc6.2 the IEQ Space Matrix's comment under the "Notes and Definitions" tab would apply: "Hospitality spaces: hospitality (e.g. hotel/motel) guest rooms can be excluded from lighting and thermal comfort controls."

You are correct that for EQc8,1 they are included.

June 20, 2013 - 4:26 pm

If I understand your response to this question, Hospitality guest rooms can be included or excluded from IEQc8.1? The matrix clearly states that Hotel guest rooms are included.

April 18, 2013 - 1:16 pm

Hi Ellen,

The note under the "notes and definitions" tab for hotel guest rooms is the following: "Hospitality spaces: hospitality (e.g. hotel/motel) guest rooms can be excluded from lighting and thermal comfort controls." My feeling is that this means that they can be excluded but can also be included if you like and if you think it helps your LEED submission.