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Prohibiting smoking is the simplest path
Prohibiting smoking indoors is the most efficient and cost-effective way to achieve this prerequisite. The key to this approach is to establish a building-wide policy prohibiting smoking indoors and within 25 feet of the building’s entrances, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows. These policies can be enforced through strategic placement of cigarette receptacles, signage indicating where smoking is prohibited, and passive discouragement of smoking near the building openings. Building managers, housekeeping, and security personnel should address occupants who are smoking in or near restricted areas to ensure that they are aware of the policies and the reasons for enforcement.
You can allow smoking, but it's more of a challenge
This prerequisite can be challenging...
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44 Comments
Emergency Exits
Hi,
Is it possible to locate the exterior smoking area next to an emergency exit not in daily use ?
Specific Language
Our signage currently reads:
"The Fulton County
Clean Indoor Air Ordinance
Prohibits Smoking
In this Building"
Just received this comment from the GBCI,
"However, although the signage communicating the smoking policy prohibits smoking within the building, the signage does not prohibit smoking within 25 feet of all entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows, as required.
TECHNICAL ADVICE: Please provide photographs of building signage communicating the exterior smoking policy prohibiting smoking within 25 feet of all entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows."
Project Team Clarification: We will install (and photograph) additional language to the signage to clarify a buffer.
Question to LEED Users: Is it sufficient to add,
‘And Within 25 Feet of All Entries’
-or-
must we explicitly state,
'within 25 feet of all entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows'?
notes: The building does not have any operable windows, and the average FTEFull-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant who spends 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) in the project building. Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per day divided by 8 (or hours per week divided by 40). Transient Occupants can be reported as either daily totals or as part of the FTE. Residential occupancy should be estimated based on the number and size of units. Core and Shell projects should refer to the default occupancy table in the Reference Guide appendix. All occupant assumptions must be consistent across all credits in all categories. does not know what an outdoor air intakes looks like. Adding these words will a) make the sign too long for people to actually read and b) seems irrelevant to this specific project.
We cannot afford to have this denied again so I'd really appreciate some feedback on specific language used on signage.
Lastly, I've had this credit approved on 3 project with signage that states 'no smoking' so it is odd that all the sudden the requirements are much more specific and stringent.
Alyson,
I can't give any advice based on previous GBCI reviews. That said, I believe you should be able to add signage or language only as appropriate, provided you clearly explain in the review response that there are no operable windows and what the situation is re: air intakes.
Your strategy would vary depending on the project's circumstances: If there are places where a person *could* smoke within 25' of an air intake (vertically, as well as horizontally), then you should post additional signage at those locations indicating no smoking within 25'. Or you could include the entry and air intake language on all signage, at entries as well as at any site entry points if someone could travel past air intakes before they reach the signage at an entry.
In any case, be sure to explain why you've omitted some of the typical language. You might also consider marking up a site plan or floor plan showing entries, air intakes, and signage locations.
Thanks for the quick reply Michael. I like the idea of marking up a mechanical plan to show where outdoor air intakes are. I will submit that as well.
It just seems excessive to post signage at seemingly 'random' locations that may be within 25 vertical feet of an OA intake....since we know that people often ignore signage.
What does the community think about this language.
The Fulton County
Clean Indoor Air Ordinance
Prohibits Smoking
In this Building
And Within 25 feet of Building, Except at
Designated Area on 2nd floor of Parking Garage
(the format is with the intention to leave existing language in place and only add whats necessary)
We would like to direct smokers to the designated area that happens to be up against the building, but 25' away from door, OA intake, and operable windows.
Designated smoking area in a loading dock
Can you please comment on whether the following approach would be acceptable to achieve this prerequisite:
A project building is attached to a loading dock on the property, and the designated smoking area is located inside the loading dock under cover, and at least 25 feet from all building entrances, operable windows, and air intakes. The building is pressurized, so the air from the loading dock doesn't enter the building, but there is a door that connects the loading dock to the building.
Is the loading dock considered "interior", or is it considered exterior, and we would meet the requirements of the prerequisite by having an exterior designated smoking area?
I would consider the loading dock as an interior space that is the workplace for regular building occupants, therefore the smoking area as you describe it would not be exterior to the project building. It would probably be good to consider the opening to the loading dock (i.e. 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. doors, missing fourth wall, etc.) as a building aperature and work to place the smoking area at least 25 feet from that opening as well.
No Smoking Signage at Retail Entrances
I have a building with several ground-floor retail spaces. Are these retail entrances required to display no smoking within 25' feet signage, even though they do not serve regular building occupants and have no direct entry to the rest of the building?
Since those locations are part of the building being certified, I would say that should be treated in the same way, with the proper signage. Make sense?
Definition of Entrances
My question is whether an inoperative door qualifies as an entry, and thus needs a 7.5 m buffer area. My project site holds large events and needs to create a temporary fenced smoking area to accomodate large amounts of people for a short amounts of time (one evening a month for example). Does a smoking area need to be 7.5 from an entry if the door is locked and no one can enter or exit this door? Doing this seems to be the only way to satisfy this prerequisite, and hoards of people needing a smoke...
Emma - In contrast to Lori's situation below, this one is thornier. It sounds like you are proposing making operable doors (which are operable under normal conditions) temporarily inoperable when you have to set up the smoking area. If I were a reviewer, that would make me nervous simply because it requires someone to remember, and enforce, that door-locking plan every month. I don't want to say that its a dealbreaker, but I'm not sure it would fly. Sorry I can't offer a more definitive answer.
Thanks for your response Dan,
I understand it's a bit of a make-shift fix, but what if the door locking plan was enforced? Our smoking pits currently have security personnel monitoring them anyways, and locked doors are high on their list of priorities.
My main concern however was whether these temporarily locked doors would be considered airtight enough to constitute as temporariy walls basically. People would potentially be smoking next to these locked doors, not 7.5 m away.
Emma, how airtight are these doors? That would make me a bit nervous—most doors would not be airtight enough.
It's an interesting one - Is there any way you could perform some kind of airflow testing (I am imagining some combination of a blower door to provide negative pressure and a smudge stick) to give the reviewer confidence that the closed/locked doors are an effective barrier to cigarette smoke? Theoretically, just documenting that the building has positive pressure would ensure that no smoke could come in that way, but this is all kind of hazy and I wonder if we are really working at the margins of concern for this issue. A closed/locked door is going to be pretty effective I would think, but not as effective as a wall. It's a tough one!
Dan
Thanks Dan and Tristan. If we go ahead with this plan I will provide proof about the air tightness through airflow testing or something of the like.
Is Sealing off 'unused' Door acceptable to meet Requirements?
We have a building that used to be muti-tenanted to a far greater extent than it is now and has many unused doors that once acted as dedicated entrances to a number of small suites but no longer serve a real purpose.
With that being said, there were two 'unused' doors that interfered with the current location of the designated smoking area. The building management hired a Glasing contractor to seal both of these doors shut by caulking sealed joints and gaps. They also removed the door handles, lock cylinders and capped openings and bolted door. All signage that indicated these doors were entrances or exits were removed. Is this an acceptable 'fix' to comply with the LEED requirements to achieve this prereq? Thank you.
Totally acceptable fix Lori - you've turned that door into a wall, which means no smoke will be coming in the building when people open it.
Negative pressure differential test
We have disignated smoking rooms in the building. Now we are planning to carry out negative pressure defferetial test for thes rooms. There are 2 questions.
1. Even if the spaces are devided by slab to slab wall, do we need to measure the difference between spaces?
2. As they are located in same place per floor, smoking rooms have other smoking rooms as their vertical adjaceny rooms. In this case we believe there is no need to have negative pressure or defference between these rooms. Are we on the right track?
Thank you.
Shoko, you do need to "verify" the pressure differential, even with slab to slab partitions.
I think you could probably get away with skipping the measurement between smoking rooms, but it's probably necessary to note that approach in your narrative, as it's not the standard approach.
Tristan, thank you for your reply.
We have problem to measure differential pressure between two spaces, when they are not connected by door way. It requires long tube to connect two places if we use differential-pressure measuring instrument. Do you think we can measure "gauge pressure" or "absolute pressure" separately and compare them?
I believe we have to close the door when we implement measurement. With instrument’s tube, the door cannot be shut properly.
Shoko, that sounds like the approach you need to take here. I would think you'd need very accurate instruments.
ETS Control - Hospitality Project
As per ASTMVoluntary standards development organization which creates source technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services-779-03 test method, we have to demonstrate that there is less than 1.25 square inches of leakage area per 100 square feet of enclosure area.
My question is that do we have to demonstrate the same leakage rateThe speed at which an appliance loses refrigerant, measured between refrigerant charges or over 12 months, whichever is shorter. The leakage rate is expressed in terms of the percentage of the appliance's full charge that would be lost over a 12-month period if the rate stabilized. (EPA Clean Air Act, Title VI, Rule 608). at 4 pascal or any other pressure?
Ashu, the 1.25 square inches of leakage area is an absolute quantity not dependent on air pressure.
You use the ASTMVoluntary standards development organization which creates source technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services to derive this calculation, and I believe you can use a variety of pressures to do it.
Almost any Test & Balance company or commissioning company should have a blower door testA blower door test gives an overall value for airtightness of a space, and can help identify air leaks. The testing unit consists of a calibrated fan that is sealed onto the unit entrance. The fan creates a continuous flow of pressure into the unit (or out of the unit when using theatrical fog to locate leaks). Devices detect the rate of pressure retention and loss due to possible air leaks in the construction. kit. We are located in the states and to get anybody from the United States to go out there and perform the test would probably be cost prohibitive. But I am sure there are companies over there. Look in the NEBB, AABC or TABB websites for companies in your part of the world. The tool itself is less thatn $3,000, and each test is only about $400. Good luck in finding somebody locally to perform the job
Urban Building: Does Not Own Sidewalk
I have a 1,000,000 SF building in NYC that does not own sidewalk that surrounds the building on one of the four sides. This side has a rear entrance. How can the building enforce a no smoking within 25 feet of the door policy when they do not own anything more than 1 foot from the perimeter of the building. Note that this sidewalk will not be included in the site area plan.
We are willing to put up signs and work with the owners of the sidewalk to enforce the smoking policy, but if the owners do not allow it, what can we do to meet this prerequisite's requirements?
In anticipating response(s), I should probably clarify my question/concern: Oregon law prohibits smoking within 10 feet of workplace entries/exits/air intakes/operable windows, and requires posting signage to that effect. It also allows a workplace to extend the prohibition distance *on the property*.
In the case of a project which opens directly onto the public sidewalks, there is thus a 10-foot, legally required no-smoking zone. However, as noted in previous comments, the building has no legal ability to prohibit smoking to the LEED 25-foot distance, when that extends off the property.
In this case, are we OK with the legally required "no smoking within 10 feet" signage? Anything beyond that is basically asking nicely, but is unenforceable, and might cause confusion with regards to the state 10-foot no-smoking zone.
To clarify, to earn the LEED prerequisite, you absolutely must have a policy that prohibits smoking within 25 feet of all building entrances, operable windows and air intakes. The review team is not going to allow you to fall back on state law which is not as stringent as the LEED requirements.
So, the real question becomes: how do you enforce a 25-foot restriction on a zero-lot line building? Zero-lot line buildings all over the country encounter challenges with this requirement. However, please keep in mind that LEED is not asking for you to initiate legal or police action if a person violates your smoking policy. When it comes down to it, all you can do (and all that LEED expects of you) is to create your policy, communicate it to building occupants and tenants, and post appropriate signage to ensure that people know that this particular building does not allow smoking within 25 feet of any building openings. Your previous comment hit the nail on the head - you're basically relying in good faith on people to observe your building policies. If someone smokes next to a door, you can ask them nicely to stop. If they don't stop, then it's up to building management/security to decide how they want to handle that. LEED wants to see that you're doing as much as possible to enforce a compliant smoking policy, so focus on meeting those requirements.
Thanks for your reply, Jason. While I agree with the gist of your comments, I don't think it adequately addresses the specific technicalities of this situation.
The prerequisite language does not say that you must have a "policy that prohibits smoking within 25 feet ...". Rather, the policy must "prohibit _on-property_ smoking within 25 feet ..." [emphasis added].
Given that LEED only requires the prohibition of "on-property" smoking, Oregon state law appears to me to actually be more stringent, not less -- in this specific case of a property which has no exterior, _on-property_ areas which extend further from an entance/exit/window/intake than what is covered by state law. The law prohibits smoking within 10 feet of an entrance, etc., period -- regardless of whether that is on or off the property. (The law then allows an owner the option to extend the prohibition beyond 10 feet _on the property_. But we don't have any exterior property that extends beyond the 10-foot prohbition of state law.)
I think we either submit with photos of the 10-foot signage and narrative / site plan showing that 10 feet covers all exterior, on-property areas; OR I go to the state DHS and ask them if the property would still be in compliance with the law if we posted a "no smoking within 25 feet" sign.
I'm wondering if there are any further thoughts on this topic. Jason's comments were pretty clear that it's 25 feet and signage should probably reflect that. But, when I looked at the 2009 EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. form for this prerequisite for a project I'm working on, it seems to give the option to indicate whether you are either (1) prohibiting smoking on the entire project site, OR, (2) you are prohibiting smoking within the 25 foot guideline. Looking at the LEED form, it seems that prohibiting smoking on the entire project site would suffice for the exterior component of this prerequisite. Am I correct? I'm in the same boat with the originator of this inquiry as I'm working with a tight urban site with public sidewalks running in front of our building's retail units.
Photo Documentation
Are there any rules against editing photos you upload to document signage. I have taken multiple pictures and photoshopped 'red arrows' to highlight where the signage is located as well as inserted text boxes to state Front Entrance, Designated Smoking Area...?
As long as you're not doctoring or enhancing the signage itself, this is probably useful for reviewers, and appreciated.
Blower Test with ASTM-779-03
As per the LEED guide for residential or hospitality project blower test with ASTMVoluntary standards development organization which creates source technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services-0779-03 is mandatory, but in our country there is no testing lab which do this type of testing. so can we do the pressure leakage testing describe in option2 for our hotel project instead of blower test.
Ashu,
A couple of thoughts:
1. The easiest thing if possible might just be to prohibit smoking throughout the building, and then you wouldn't need to bother with the blower door testing. Is that possible?
2. ASTMVoluntary standards development organization which creates source technical standards for materials, products, systems, and services-0779-03, as I understand it, just outlines that method for conducting the blower door tests, and I would think that there's no reason you need a special lab to perform the tests. I think as long as you can get the equipment and have personnel with the appropriate skills you don't even need a third party to do the testing - I've heard of teams that got their building engineers equipped to perform the tests themselves. Maybe others can chime in on this??
Jenny,
1. Its a five Star hospitality project, so smoking can not be prohibited in through out the building. Hotel has 20% smoking designated rooms. Other than these smoking is prohibited in all common areas.
2. Can you please tell us the procedure to perform this test or any alternate to achieve this prerequisite for hospitality project.
Thanks,
Ashu
Ashu, have you checked our Air Sealing Guidance for LEED-EBOM IEQp2? I think this will answer some of your questions.
Tristan, I have checked these guidelines. I would like to know that is blower test necessary for hotels rooms also or only for residential units. In my country i could not found any blower test technician who perform this test easily. so can you please suggest ant alternate path to achieve this prerequisite.
Ashu, if you're not able to prohibit smoking or limit it to designated places, then that puts you in Option 2, Case 2, which requires blower door testing for both residential and hospitality. I don't know of a way around this.
What is the obstacle you're having to blower-door testing? The testing units can be purchased and are not diffcult to use, as far as I know.
Hi-Rise Smoking Patio
I am working with a property that has a smoking patio located on the 6th floor. For a designated smoking patio that isnt in the path of regular occupant entry, would they still have to follow the 25 foot restriction?
The key requirement doesn't depend on the path of occupant entry, but rather the proximity to any sort of opening in the building envelope. If building occupants are using that 6th-floor patio and smoking within 25 feet of the doorways, any operable windows, and/or any outdoor air intakes, the project building would not meet the requirements for this prerequisite.
Minimal Outdoor Sign-age for EBOM
What is the absolute minimum installed sign-age that complies with this prerequisite?
The project I am working on is a high-rise office building that, based on entranceways, is limited to 3 small (7ft wide, 10ft wide, and 15 ft wide) outdoor smoking areas. Considering that the one space is as small as 7 feet, it would look rather strange to have two large signs 5 feet next to each other. We are trying to limit the complaints from 90% glass exterior retail outlets that preside on a majority of the first floor.
In a minimalist example, I was wondering if I could place a 5 inch diameter image on the outer limit of each smoking zone and have an arrow pointing away from the center of each zone. Then maybe throw in a 5 inch diameter smoking sign right in the middle of the each zone. We are also looking into laser etching the appropriate documentation on the glass that surrounds the majority of the 1st floor of this building.
Would the above example comply with LEED requirements, or are we going to have to write out 'This is a designated smoking area' or 'no smoking within 25 feet of the door'?
I couldnt find any restrictions within the reference guide or leedonline, so I was reaching out to see if anyone had any first hand experience or references.
Thanks so much.
Kevin, I don't have first-hand experiences, but I'm not aware of any particular rules or standards around signage so I think you have latitude to choose a solution that works for your building, provided you can justify it and it actually works.
Your approach seems fairly reasonable, although I worry that it could be a bit too subtle. Have you considered markings on the sidewalk? Also, will there be butt collectors of some kind? These could be used to help indicate the designated area.
Non smoking facility
Hi, My company became a "smoke free" workplace effective January 1, 2010. All the documentation I have read says that we need both a policy and a communication for this pre-req. However, when I go to file uploads for this pre-req there it is not asking for me to upload either. Not a big deal but why would we be required to do this if they don't ask for it?
Barbara, I think what you are encountering here is that the LEED Online forms are dynamic, i.e., once you choose a submittal path, e.g. "O&M Submittal Path," there are some inputs that show up that you wouldn't see if you were just perusing the form.
Once you choose this path, there is a place to upload signage communicating the smoking policy on the exterior of the building.
If smoking is completely disallowed inside the building, you simply need owner sign-off to that effect, you don't have to upload additional documentation.
I share Barbara's question, to an extent. I'm working on a school project that prohibits smoking anywhere on the campus. When that submittal path is selected, the required upload is merely for signage evidence and not a policy document, yet the prereq. seems to require the latter (of course in addition to the owner signatures). Can you clarify? Thanks.
Designated Smoking Areas in parking garages
Many project teams that have the option to do so, locate their outdoor smoking area in or near the parking garage to take advantage of the existing cover and distance from main building openings. If you locate a smoking area in your parking garage, make sure that it is also at least 25 feet away from elevators, stairwells and any other designated walkways or entryways to reduce ETSEnvironmental tobacco smoke (ETS), or secondhand smoke, consists of airborne particles emitted from the burning end of cigarettes, pipes, and cigars, and is exhaled by smokers. These particles contain about 4,000 compounds, up to 50 of which are known to cause cancer. exposure to non-smokers using the facility.
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