EBOM 2009 IEQc2.2: Controllability of Systems—Lighting

You'll need to consider all workstations, not just the typical office ones. You can see a related discussion over at the NC 2009 EQc6.1 forum topic - there is a comment I posted on March 29, 2011 that describes an approach that would probably apply to your situation.

Very timely heads up, Jenny. We recently saw similar comments for this credit:

"Lighting controls must enable adjustments to suit task needs....Please provide documentation demonstrating that the group multi-occupant spacesConference rooms, classrooms and other indoor spaces used as a place of congregation for presentations, trainings, etc. Individuals using these spaces share the lighting and temperature controls and they should have, at a minimum, a separate zone with accessible thermostat and an air-flow control. Group multi-occupant spaces do not include open office plans that contain individual workstations. have controls that are adjustable to suit group activities and allow flexibility in different uses. On/off controls and occupancy sensors alone are not sufficient to meet credit requirements."

Again, they're not specifying the types of controls, but this does suggest dimmers, stepped dimming, separately switched banks or zones, or bi-level switching. The BD&C Reference Guide for IEQc6.1 has a list of these controls in Figure 2 on page 524, which would seem to apply here as well.

I've always found the occupancy sensor allowance in this credit to be odd (and inconsistent with occupant control, even if its consistent with energy savings) but I'm surprised by this kind of mid-course correction. Isn't it incumbent on USGBC/GBCI to make a formal announcement of this kind of policy change, and to exempt buildings registered before the announcement? I dare say that many projects may have elected not to change control regimes because they were considered compliant even a few weeks ago.

I agree with Dan on the compliance issue. Anyway, this is what I have to add in this thread from my review received 9/20/2011: "Various switches for different lighting levels, dimmer switches, or a simple on/off switch accompanied by blinds on the windows are examples of acceptable lighting controls for multi-occupant spacesConference rooms, classrooms and other indoor spaces used as a place of congregation for presentations, trainings, etc. Individuals using these spaces share the lighting and temperature controls and they should have, at a minimum, a separate zone with accessible thermostat and an air-flow control. Group multi-occupant spaces do not include open office plans that contain individual workstations."

Hi Wendy, good questions.

1. You are correct. As the Reference Guide states, “no specific types or numbers of lighting controls are required.”

2. I advise treating the rooms based on their current function. As they are being used for groups of two or more to meet, they should be considered as multioccupant spaces for the calculation.

As with a cafeteria I would call it a special-use space.

I would say a cafeteria is a special-use space, yes.

Good question Sherri. As the issue is not addressed in the LEED EB O+M Reference Guide, I searched past CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide (Credit Interpretation Requests) for insight. The issue of including warehouse space is addressed in a LEED NCv2.2 CIR. The CIR response is, “Manufacturing floor, warehouse, and shipping/receiving spaces that are, in fact, regularly occupied must be considered regularly occupied for the purpose of this credit.” I understand that it may not be reasonable to allow for occupant controlled lighting, however the CIR states that “if functional or safety requirements do not allow for occupant control in majority of the spaces with 80% of the occupants, then those spaces, and by consequence, this building, does not meet the intent or the requirements of the credit.” I hope this helps.

For a warehouse or manufacturing facility with high bayA 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. lighting alone, this credit may not be achievable. One strategy we've seen accepted in the past for similar project types is to provide task lighting at certain locations and different lighting controls for different sub-spaces.

The credit was documented with a detailed analysis of all spaces and functional tasks within the space and showed for each space and function the number of users, duration of use, nature of task being performed, lighting requirement (ambient only, task only, task + ambient, dimmable, high iluminance, daylight, etc), the lighting strategy provided, and the controls provided.

Oscar, you'll find that this question is clearly answered in content available to our members above in the Checklists section.

Please review that guidance and check back with more specific questions on your project.

Rachael, it seems like your question is about what is a "best practice" vs. what meets the LEED requirement.

An on-off switch meets the requirement by providing "flexibility," and so does task lighting (both discussed in a bit more detail in the Checklists section above).

To your point, I think it would be smart, however, to focus beyond LEED to what actually provides a benefit to the occupants and for energy efficiency.

Yes, just having the ability to adjust the task lights is sufficient here. The intent is to give occupants the ability to make adjustments for comfort, but total control over on/off for the whole interior is not necessary.