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Let’s be honest—this one is no picnic
Even if your building is technically compliant, this credit is very difficult because the documentation requirements are extremely demanding. The only exception is projects that have previously earned a Daylight and Views credit through one of the other LEED rating systems—all you’ll need to do is provide your LEED scorecard verifying that you achieved the credit.
What types of projects should consider this credit?
If your building was designed to maximize daylight and views, it’s likely that your project is compliant, and you’ll have a better chance of documenting compliance—just be aware that the requirements are still burdensome. You can get a rough idea of whether your building is compliant by doing a walk-through with a light meter and spot-checking daylight levels...
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38 Comments
Changes in Daylighting requirements from v2
I am working on a project that was certified under LEED EB v2. This project is now going for recertification under v3 and I am trying to figure out whether or not we will receive IEQc2.4: Daylighting again.
We are following Path 2: Prescriptive. The requirements for both versions are very similar; however, the equations to determine the daylight factorThe ratio of exterior illumination to interior illumination, expressed as a percentage. The variables used to determine the daylight factor include the floor area, window area, window geometry, visible transmittance (Tvis), and window height./ daylight zone are a little different. Does anyone have expereince with this and/ or know if the new equation makes a significant difference to your result?
Our experience has been that the change in calculation methodology hasn't significantly changed the ability for spaces to comply with the credit. There are some differences, so it is, of course, a case by case basis, but generally we have found that spaces that complied before 2009 still comply in 2009.
Can I use daylight or views to satisfy multiple buildings?
I am working on an EB:O&M 2008 multiple buildings project on a campus that includes 10 buildings within the LEED boundary. To achieve the daylight and views credit, the reference guide states "Achieve a 2% daylight factorThe ratio of exterior illumination to interior illumination, expressed as a percentage. The variables used to determine the daylight factor include the floor area, window area, window geometry, visible transmittance (Tvis), and window height. in 50% of all spaces occupied for critical visual tasks OR Achieve direct line of sight to vision glazing for building occupants in 45% of regularly occupied spacesRegularly 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.." Does this mean each building on campus can satisfy this credit using either daylight compliance OR views compliance, I do not need to use just one method? Thanks!
I do not have direct experience with this, but after reading this document, https://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=7987 it is my understanding that each building must be done separately and therefore each building gets the choice of either daylight or views.
Daylight measurement
I found the following reference guide addendum about the daylight measurement path:
In the requirement it says: "Measurements must be taken on a 10 foot grid.." and in the calculations section it says : "Record indoor light measurements of all regularly occupied spacesRegularly 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. on a grid that hast at least 4 points in a room and with a maximun grid interval of 5 feet."
So I dont understand how the grid should be.
Another question, do measurements need to be done at an specific hour?
Measurements can be done at any day, any time.
I don't know about the 10 ft vs. 5 ft spacing, but I would use the NC guide that says spaces that are 150 sf or larger use a 10 ft spacing and spaces that are smaller, must have at least 4 points.
Daylight & Views Supplemental Spreadsheet: VIEWS, OPTION 2
In regards to the Daylight & Views supplemental spreadsheet which is now available under the 'Credit Resources' link in LEED Online:
When selecting to pursue Option 2, Views - this spreadsheet contains the following language under tab F "Views":
"1 Measures are defined as follows:
Measure 1. Multiple lines of sight to vision glazing in different directions at least 90 degrees apart
Measure 2. Views that include at least 2 of the following: 1) vegetation, 2) human activity, or 3) objects at least 70 feet
from the exterior of the glazing
Measure 3. Access to unobstructed views within 3 times the head height of the vision glazing
Measure 4. Access to views with a view factor of 3 or greater, per the Heschong Mahone Group study, Windows and Offices;
A study of Office Worker Performance and the Indoor Environment. (Refer to page 47, http://www.h-m-g.com/_vti_bin/
shtml.dll/downloads/Daylighting/day_registration_form.htm)"
Although these requirements have never been mentioned previously in the reference guide - are these now required in order to document compliance with this credit? If yes, are all areas with views required to comply with all 4 measures, or should each view comply with at least 1 measure?
For buildings in dense urban areas, would a view of an occupied adjacent building with windows be considered 'Measure 2: A view that includes human activity, and objects at least 70 feet from the exterior of the glazing?
Jason, I haven't double-checked the spreasheet so I'm not sure about this, but those sound like the Exemplary PerformanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. requirements for Views -- and thus most projects don't need to document them.
Does that make sense?
Views and Line of Sight
If only a HORIZONTAL direct line of sight from 42" to the exterior window will ultimately allow an area to qualify as having a view, why have the discussion about glazing from 30" to 90" at all? If there is a direct line of site at 42", it is already in the range. Is there something I am missing?
I agree that this is really confusing and I don't know if the logic that I am using to rationalize these seemingly conflicting issues is correct, but I'll share it in case it helps. The LEED reference guide talks about views at 42", but it also discusses that other view heights may be more appropriate for areas with younger occupants or areas where work is done standing or in elevated areas. So, my thinking is that you have to meet both requirements: the horizontal viewThe approach used to confirm that the direct line of sight to perimeter vision glazing remains available from a seated position. It uses section drawings that include the installed furniture to make the determination. at 42" or whatever height you justify as appropriate and through glazing that is 30" to 90" AFF. So, this would eliminate, for example, using a horizontal view of less than 30" for a younger occupancy.
Thanks for the comment, Allison. You logic is is consistent with LEED NC where the 42" could be substituted for a height that makes more sense for the occupants' use of the room. However, I still don't see why having the range is relavant unless they were allowing someone from a seated position at 42" having a direct DIAGONAL line of sight to a window at 30" or 90". I will continue to puzzle about it after I submit a template with only 42" HORIZONTAL lines of sight. :-|
Can someone please clarify this basic question for me?
The cube partitions are higher than 42", therefore seated horizontal viewThe approach used to confirm that the direct line of sight to perimeter vision glazing remains available from a seated position. It uses section drawings that include the installed furniture to make the determination. is disrupted. This is a fast fail for view correct? Or does the 30"-90" still give me a chance to earn views?
What do you think of the following explanation to rationalize these seemingly conflicting issues: The horizontal viewThe approach used to confirm that the direct line of sight to perimeter vision glazing remains available from a seated position. It uses section drawings that include the installed furniture to make the determination. at 42" applies to discrete locations/points (the reference guide seems to require 1 point for each space, I am assuming they mean 1 point for each working station). Glazing from 30" to 90", on the other side, pertains to the entire surface of the area and not only to a few localized points. Any thoughts?
Calculation Spreadsheet
I can't use the Supplemental Spreadsheet. I believe it might be because its not designed to be very compliant with Mac software, though this is a guess. Its asking to unprotect it, then it asks for a password, and none of the relevant passwords are accepted. I've sent the problem through to "feedback" on the on-line screen and also through the GBCI through the "contact" links, but neither really feels like the right vehicle for making technical assistance requests. So this is 2 questions, really, first --is anyone else having this problem and is there a solution? and second--if I have a problem like this what is the correct avenue for assistance? thanks!
I am having the same problem on a non-Mac computer.
Additionally, when I began my project, the calculation supplemental spreadsheet was not mentioned on the IEQc2.4 LEED Online form (BETA version) and I now find that this supplemental spreadsheet has additional information not listed in the Reference Guide --- after I have completed all documentation using a self-made excel spreadsheet.
Is it appropriate to upload my own excel file if I am having difficulty with the LEED Online spreadsheet?
Jason,
I can answer one of my previous questions: I have received a reply from GBCI and they confirmed that Feedback is the correct venue, but I've not yet had a reply from Feedback. I will report back with any further reply I get from Feedback's technical assistance.
Melissa -
Have you received any additional input regarding the spreadsheet issue?
Jason, I have not. I have the luxury of time on this one since we just began the Performance Period, and I expect it will be sorted out with future upgrades, but I'm thinking the same way as you, that I'll try my own excel sheet if this does not materialize in time. It might be a good idea to send your comment through Feedback as well; we can't be the only ones experiencing this problem!
Has the spreadsheet been pulled from Credit Resources for EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. IEQc2.4? The only file in there is 'skylight diagram for table.pptx'. (Or had you found it somewhere else?)
Oops. Never mind -- apparently the spreadsheet isn't available under Credit Resources until you after you get upgraded from the beta form.
That's our experience as well --- and that is the reason we had previously created our own spreadsheet for a project. Once we updated forms form BETA to Non-BETA, the Credit Resource spreadsheet appeared.
The supplemental calculation spreadsheet isn't supposed to be unlocked, but you should be able to fill everything out without having to alter any of the cells. You might just have to enable macros.
I'm having a problem with the spreadsheet now where in the "views" tab it isn't summing the floor areas correctly. For 2 lines, I'm getting the "#REF!" message, but since the sheet is locked it's impossible to figure out where the error is coming from! All of my rooms are listed in the views tab correctly, there are just these two extra error lines that are coming from out of nowhere!
Has anyone else had this problem? Thanks.
No, I haven't seen this... I would ask GBCI for help.
solar light tubes/daylight scoops
Will solar light tubes and daylight scoops be acceptable is they are able to bring in the minimum illumination level prescribed in Path 3 or is this credit solely for windows, clerestories and skylights?
- this means these areas are much farther from where windows are normally able to effectively deliver these illumination levels.
Pablo,
Yes, you can consider those in your path 3 measurement. Solar light tubes are consider as skylight.
Thank you Eddy. Regards.
Views Documentation - Section Drawings?
I am currently working on a high rise building that would like to achieve the views credit. I understand that the floor plan drawings must be documented in order to calculate which regularly occupied spacesRegularly 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. have access to views. However, the LEED reference guide indicates that section drawings should also be provided.
Given that this is a high rise building with a different floor plan layout on each floor, and a project with no available as-built building section drawings - are we required to provide a new section or even multiple sections for every floor of the building? There is no "typical section" in this case.
Jason - If I were in your shoes I would provide section plans for some kind of representative sample of layouts. Explain your situation to the reviewer and note the % of SF represented by your samples. You are basically illustrating that you know how to do the calculation correctly, which will go a long way towards the reviewer being comfortable approving your credit without seeing a plan for every space.
Guest room in Hotels
In our hotel project the workspace of all permanent employees is in basement which does not meet the requirement of this credit. but if we include the guest rooms which having the more window area, we can achieve this credit. so my question is that can we include the guest areas as regularly occupied areas in this credit calculation or not?
Guest rooms would be considered regularly occupied, so they must be included in credit calculations, which sounds like it's to your advantage here.
In order to decide which steps to take to earn the credit, I recommend our checklist under the Checklists tab above (which is a paid membership feature).
Ashu and Tristan,
Would this same approach be considered for a convention center? Instead of guest rooms (meeting rooms or exhibit halls). Thanks!
I would say that meeting rooms would be considered regularly occupied spacesRegularly 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., since the are similar to classrooms, which are considered regularly occupied. I'm not sure about an exhibit hall—doesn't seem like it meets the definition.
Furniture blocking light/views?
Does office furniture need to be included in these drawings? The cube setup in some shared offices (of which there are many) changes periodically. Some of the cube furniture reaches almost to the ceiling, blocking light and the view behind it. How do I account for this? Thanks!
I find there's some ambiguity in the LEED 2009 EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. Reference Guide on this issue. Page 410 shows a diagram with a "permananent partition" for the Toplighting part of the requirements, but doesn't address furniture or movable partitions specifically in the sections on daylighting.
On page 415 bottom it says "movable furniture and partitionsMovable furniture and partitions are those that can be moved to provide access to the view by the user without the need for tools or assistance from special trades and facilities management. are included in the scope of this credit. See Figure 14." but my impression is that this only affects views calculations, since that what the rest of the paragraph and Figure 14 address. That impression is reinforced by finding this same paragraph in the 2009 BD&C Reference Guide for the Views credit EQc8.2 on page 567, but I couldn't find anything in the 2009 BD&C EQc8.1 credit language that addressed furniture or non-permanent partitions in regards to Daylighting calculations.
In NC v2.2, EQc8.1, Daylight, they did specifically exclude partitions and never mentioned systems furnitureSystems furniture includes panel-based workstations comprising modular interconnecting panels, hang-on components, and drawer and filing components or a free-standing grouping of furniture items designed to work in concert., so we never included those in our daylight calcs and drawings for 2.2 projects. In NC 2.2 EQc8.2 Views, "moveable partitions and furniture are not included in the scope of this credit calculation." so we didn't include them there, either.
It's understandable that NC wouldn't address furniture and movable partitions since that is typically outside the work scope of new construction.
One might assume that EBOM would address systems furniture and movable partitions, since that's a part of space planning and O&M, but it's not clear if that's the intent of the credit or if only permanent partitons are the issue (page 413 middle).
The 4-14-2010 Addenda added "MRc2.2 Sustainable Purchasing - Furniture" to the list of Related Credits, but didn't say more than that. Hopefully others may have gotten reviewer feedback on this or a hint of an Addenda to come.
I think this is an issue where the intent of the credit is paramount. EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. simply wants to understand if a given occupant (in their workspace) is enjoying the benefits of views/daylight. If furniture, movable partitions, etc... interferes with that in such a way as to eliminate the view or to reduce the amount of daylight provided, the space probably doesn't meet the intent, regardless of the original design or other factors. With views this may be a bit easier to ascertain that daylight, but both should keep the ultimate delivery of the benefit in mind.
There's another clue in the EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. 2009 Reference Guide in addition to those David reviewed: In the Implementation section, 'Views', it states:
"Consider utilizing opportunities created by churn1. Churn is the movement of workstations and people within a space. 2. The reorganization of office space due to relocation of an employee from one workstation to another, employee turnover, or reorganization of an entire office. to incorporate greater access to views. With an existing building, creating building management specifications for future space upgrades and _systems furnitureSystems furniture includes panel-based workstations comprising modular interconnecting panels, hang-on components, and drawer and filing components or a free-standing grouping of furniture items designed to work in concert. purchases_ that incorporate views will increase the likelihood of credit achievement in future certification endeavors." (p. 414, emphasis added)
Regularly Occupied
Does "regularly occupied spacesRegularly 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." exclude vacant tenant spaces? If a floor plan is designed but currently does not have a tenant, couldn't you included the square footage of any private offices on the perimeter in those vacant suites?
Chris,
In general, if your vacant space is less than 10% of the floor area, you can choose to include or exclude it from any given credit at your whimsy. If vacant areas are greater than 10% up to 50% of the floor area, you need to follow the guidelines for accounting for those spaces in the technical guidance document issued by USGBC - info about the maximum allowable vacancy and a link to the guidance document can be found here: http://www.usgbc.org/News/USGBCInTheNewsDetails.aspx?ID=4190
Looks like for this credit, vacant spaces "may be excluded." This hints that you can include them if you'd like, but doesn't explicitly seem to offer that. Assuming you can include them, I'd think you'd definitely need to wholly do one or the other, and not selectively pick the vacant perimeter offices to include and leave out other vacant spaces in the interior that would be regularly occupied if the building were full.
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