Hi Matt,

I see how it is a little confusing. The new IEQ Space Matrix still designates Living Rooms as a Multi-Occupant Space and so it would require controllability to suit the varying needs of that space. That could happen with one lighting control with dimming or with potentially more than one lighting control if necessary. I think the language in the latest matrix that says "one lighting control" could probably be clarified to say something more like "this space is required to be included with its own controllability". It's also important to note that not all 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. require varied controls with many different options. I have had this conversation recently with the GBCI. There may have been a time period where reviewers were providing comments that indicated that this was a requirement for all multi-occupant spaces but it isn't actually the case. Some multi-occupant spaces require a lot of variability to suit the multiple needs of the room. In terms of a living room I would ask if you think it's necessary to have multi-switching, or dimming. My guess is that one simple light switch with some dimming combined would be sufficient. Realistically, electrical outlets for residents to plug in their own task lights would also supplement the lighting options.

Have you seen this? http://www.leeduser.com/blogs/leed-ieq-space-matrix-frequently-asked-que...

Hi Victor,

Do individual occupants all have access to these controls? If so, I would imagine that it would be acceptable. I would just make sure you outline it clearly for the reviewer.

the indivual workstation would be able to control the above individual lighting via wireless control such VOIP phone

Hi Jeff,

I believe it is a grey area.

My feeling is that each person would be like a "workstation" and so 90% of them would need lighting controls. Do the sleeping bays have nightstands or something like that? Would people just be sleeping there or would they read before bed? Could a task light be incorporated into the bed?

The sleeping bays has 20 bunk beds and 40 cabinets for gear. There are no night stands or other furniture. The soldiers would spend some time in there awake, but most of the time will be sleeping and when its lights out, there are no light on.

Crissy, I think that statement is confusing, but reading into it a bit, I think it does not exclude bedrooms. I think the statement is intended to draw a contrast with 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. in offices.

Hi Crissy,

I agree that it's a bit confusing. It's not meant to be a new requirement. I think it's just trying to discourage folks from thinking that one light switch in an open office work environment will suffice. In the case of a bedroom, if you have one light switch then that would count as one control per person. So if there is one person in that bedroom, and one light switch, then that should be sufficient.

Here are a couple other discussions that you might find interesting:

http://www.leeduser.com/credit/NC-2009/IEQc6.1?page=0#comment-20448

http://www.leeduser.com/credit/NC-2009/IEQc6.1?page=0#comment-35057

Also, the IEQ Space Matrix has specific residential guidance: http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=10539

Specific language from the IEQ Matrix might be helpful. The matrix states that bedrooms are regularly occupied and "individual occupant spacesIn individual occupant spaces, occupants perform distinct tasks from one another. Such spaces may be contained within multi-occupant spaces and should be treated separately where possible. Individual occupant spaces may be regularly or non-regularly occupied spaces." and not "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.".

1. For Credit scope (row 6) for IEQc6.1/IEQc6/2/IEQc6(CS)- revised residential language as follows:

Residential spaces- all individual and multi-occupant spaces (includes regularly and non-regularly occupied, each space must have its own individual lighting control to be counted towards the credit, each unit must have its own thermal control to be counted towards the credit).

2. For Health Care Facilities, Labor rooms- added x in multi-occupant column.
3. For Health Care Facilties, Delivery areas- revised individual occupant to multi-occupant.
4. For Health Care Facilties, Occupational and physical therapy, work areas- revised individual occupant to multi-occupant.
5. For Health Care Facilties, Recovery areas, revised individual occupant to multi-occupant.
6. For Hotels, Front desk (row 107), added x in multi-occupant column (column F).
7. For Houses of Worship- Congregational Areas, added reference to footnote 2.
8. For Libraries, Bookstacks- added inactive and active categories.
9. For Residences, new bedroom category.
10. For Residences, Conversation, relaxation and entertainment- revised individual occupant to multi-occupant.
11. For Residences, Reading and study areas- revised from multi-occupant to individual occupant.
12. For Residences, Circulation- removed multi-occupant.
13. For Residences, Grooming- added individual occupant.
14. For Residences, Kitchens- revised individual occupant to multi-occupant.
15. For Transportation Terminals - added reference to footnote 2.

Hi Alicia,

No that would not qualify. The workstations would need their own controls to count. For instance, if you had 10 workstations in an open plan area then 90%, or 9, of those workstations would need to have controllability*.

*This simple calculation of course excludes other workstation counts that may be coming from individual private offices, etc.

How long are your patients going to be in the exam and screening rooms? Unless they are dialysis or transfusion patients, they aren't going to be in the exam room long enough to qualify for the control and they really don't need it. The room will likely have an overhead light, exam light and a task light at the sink area. All will have individual switches and all qualify the room for individual controls. It is the docs and nurses who need the controls. They will be in the room for an aggregate amount of qualifying time.

Thank you. This our first time with LEED documentation. What do you mean by aggregate amount of qualifing time?

When it comes to patient areas, I look at how long an individual patient is in the space versus the care provider's time in that same room. If the care provider is the primary occupant, then the lighting controls need to be set up for that individual over the patient. In my mind, I aggregate the time individuals are in the room. This to me is "qualifying time" and it is likely my own phrasing. For example, a doctor who is shuttling between 2 exam rooms and their office is spending up to a third of their day in that one room. I think sometimes as designers we lump many individual patients into one generic super patient who is in that exam room 8 hours a day. The reality is that the individual patient is in there for 15 to 30 minutes. What do they need control over on lighting that isn't solved by the wall switch?

This helps a lot in my understanding of what is required for this credit for the facility.

Thank you Susan.

Greg, I'd recommend consulting the USGBC's IEQ Space Matrix for your question:

http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=10539

Hi Greg,

People aren't in these spaces except for dropping items off for storage, right? Non-occupied spacesOccupied 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. should be excluded such as storage areas. Restrooms/stairwells also should be excluded.

Best,
Lauren

Soha, your questions are addressed in the LEEDuser guidance above, and in other questions on this forum. I'd recommend starting by reviewing that guidance, and post back here with any obstacles that come up for you. Thanks!

Thanks a lot Tristan , but can you please tell me what work station indicates ? like office ? or the place for work ??like inside the warehouse

Please be noted that the space i am taking about is full of logistics racks , and it is for Loading and unloading , packaging and unpack-aging so what if this space should be included , what is the possible strategy for achieving this credit in addition to the thermal control credit ( regarding the warehouse racks space)

N.B : I found in the excel sheet you posted that the ware house (in active can be excluded ) but the active is included , so the question here is what is active and in active ? this is so confusing

Hi Soha,

I would look at this 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 (1/18/2008 ID# 5101)

Ruling

Manufacturing floor, warehouse, and shipping/receiving spaces that are, in fact, regularly occupied must be considered regularly occupied for the purpose of this credit. Per LEED-NC 2.2 Reference Guide, page 359, work groups "should have access to adequate controls to provide the functionality to suit their activities." The referenced CIR dated 10/22/07 also states that "the expected building use should be analyzed and control systems should be provided to serve all users as appropriate." 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. Applicable Internationally.

More >>

Manufacturing floor, warehouse, and shipping/receiving spaces that are, in fact, regularly occupied must be considered regularly occupied for the purpose of this credit. Per LEED-NC 2.2 Reference Guide, page 359, work groups "should have access to adequate controls to provide the functionality to suit their activities." The referenced CIR dated 10/22/07 also states that "the expected building use should be analyzed and control systems should be provided to serve all users as appropriate." 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. Applicable Internationally.

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Formal Inquiry

Our project is a 173,569 SF manufacturing development with a projected labor force of 450 employees. The facility will include a 71,522 SF Manufacturing Floor, with 74,426 SF of Warehouse, and 15,749 SF of Administrative and Employee Service Areas. The facility will be staffed and producing food products on a 24 hour per day basis, 365 days per year. The facility's food manufacturing operations will require a 3-shift per day staffing with approximately 120 employees per shift (80% of total employees) working on the manufacturing floor and/or supporting the manufacturing operation in warehousing, maintenance, and sanitation. The tasks performed in the manufacturing operation and in support of the manufacturing operation by their intrinsic nature are not suited for controllable task lighting or for adjustable shared lighting, primarily because of the personal mobility required for operating the process machinery, sorting, packaging, and transporting the finished products. Additionally, food safety requirements as well as personal employee safety constraints require that these areas be well lighted at all times. In your 10/22/2007 CIR ruling for this credit, it was stated that the determining factor in defining "Building Occupants," "is not WHO uses the space, but HOW the space is being used." In this building, 80% of the total employee count will be engaged in physical, labor intensive tasks in areas comprising 84% of the project building area, which for safety reasons must be performed in consistently well illuminated areas. Controllable task lighting, or or for adjustable shared lighting in these areas would be additional lighting and counter-productive to the intent of the LEED Program. For these reasons, we would like to propose that this manufacturing floor area, the receiving warehouse, and the shipping warehouse, not 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. for the purposes of this credit. We suggest this because it would be unreasonable and a safety hazard to meet the intent of the credit in these area's. The project design will provide controllable task lighting for the 20% of employees included in the various levels of management and administrative staff who are provided with individual work stations. Additionally, employee support areas for training and scheduled work break area will be provided with controllable lighting functionality. So please confirm this interpretation: 1. The manufacturing floor area, the receiving warehouse, and the shipping warehouse, will not be considered regularly occupied spaces for the purposes of this credit. 2. Assuming you affirm the first interpretation, please confirm the following. We will give the 20% of occupants with workstations task lighting, and the other 80% of occupants will be accounted for by providing all other (not including spaces warehouse/shipping/receiving) regularly occupied shared spaces with adjustable lighting to meet group needs. Thus, we will have accounted for 100% of the occupants. Please confirm.

More >>

Our project is a 173,569 SF manufacturing development with a projected labor force of 450 employees. The facility will include a 71,522 SF Manufacturing Floor, with 74,426 SF of Warehouse, and 15,749 SF of Administrative and Employee Service Areas. The facility will be staffed and producing food products on a 24 hour per day basis, 365 days per year. The facility's food manufacturing operations will require a 3-shift per day staffing with approximately 120 employees per shift (80% of total employees) working on the manufacturing floor and/or supporting the manufacturing operation in warehousing, maintenance, and sanitation. The tasks performed in the manufacturing operation and in support of the manufacturing operation by their intrinsic nature are not suited for controllable task lighting or for adjustable shared lighting, primarily because of the personal mobility required for operating the process machinery, sorting, packaging, and transporting the finished products. Additionally, food safety requirements as well as personal employee safety constraints require that these areas be well lighted at all times. In your 10/22/2007 CIR ruling for this credit, it was stated that the determining factor in defining "Building Occupants," "is not WHO uses the space, but HOW the space is being used." In this building, 80% of the total employee count will be engaged in physical, labor intensive tasks in areas comprising 84% of the project building area, which for safety reasons must be performed in consistently well illuminated areas. Controllable task lighting, or or for adjustable shared lighting in these areas would be additional lighting and counter-productive to the intent of the LEED Program. For these reasons, we would like to propose that this manufacturing floor area, the receiving warehouse, and the shipping warehouse, not be considered regularly occupied spaces for the purposes of this credit. We suggest this because it would be unreasonable and a safety hazard to meet the intent of the credit in these area's. The project design will provide controllable task lighting for the 20% of employees included in the various levels of management and administrative staff who are provided with individual work stations. Additionally, employee support areas for training and scheduled work break area will be provided with controllable lighting functionality. So please confirm this interpretation: 1. The manufacturing floor area, the receiving warehouse, and the shipping warehouse, will not be considered regularly occupied spaces for the purposes of this credit. 2. Assuming you affirm the first interpretation, please confirm the following. We will give the 20% of occupants with workstations task lighting, and the other 80% of occupants will be accounted for by providing all other (not including spaces warehouse/shipping/receiving) regularly occupied shared spaces with adjustable lighting to meet group needs. Thus, we will have accounted for 100% of the occupants. Please confirm.

Victor, there are very few space types that may be excluded from this credit. Those that may be excluded are typically unoccupied spaces. What's your argument here? Wouldn't the workers in these spaces benefit from having some control over how the space is lighted? I think you need to include them.

It is actually an OPEN warehouse area with several bus bays. We only have two switches for the whole OPEN warehouse, because it does not really make sense to have lighting switches per bay and most of the time the would not even require them because it's open for buses to come in and out all the time getting a lot of natural lighting. These areas are not densely occupied (2-3 people per bay). Opinions?

If the credit doesn't fit, don't wear it!

Any alternative compliance narrative to be covered?

Not sure I understand the question? If you can't earn the credit, you don't need to write a narrative.

Hi Victor,

The warehouse would have to be included unless you had a very specific case. I think that this 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 would also be helpful. It sounds like the credit might not work for your project's situation.

Ruling
Manufacturing floor, warehouse, and shipping/receiving spaces that are, in fact, regularly occupied must be considered regularly occupied for the purpose of this credit. Per LEED-NC 2.2 Reference Guide, page 359, work groups "should have access to adequate controls to provide the functionality to suit their activities." The referenced CIR dated 10/22/07 also states that "the expected building use should be analyzed and control systems should be provided to serve all users as appropriate." 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. Applicable Internationally.
More >>
Manufacturing floor, warehouse, and shipping/receiving spaces that are, in fact, regularly occupied must be considered regularly occupied for the purpose of this credit. Per LEED-NC 2.2 Reference Guide, page 359, work groups "should have access to adequate controls to provide the functionality to suit their activities." The referenced CIR dated 10/22/07 also states that "the expected building use should be analyzed and control systems should be provided to serve all users as appropriate." 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. Applicable Internationally.
<< Less
Formal Inquiry
Our project is a 173,569 SF manufacturing development with a projected labor force of 450 employees. The facility will include a 71,522 SF Manufacturing Floor, with 74,426 SF of Warehouse, and 15,749 SF of Administrative and Employee Service Areas. The facility will be staffed and producing food products on a 24 hour per day basis, 365 days per year. The facility's food manufacturing operations will require a 3-shift per day staffing with approximately 120 employees per shift (80% of total employees) working on the manufacturing floor and/or supporting the manufacturing operation in warehousing, maintenance, and sanitation. The tasks performed in the manufacturing operation and in support of the manufacturing operation by their intrinsic nature are not suited for controllable task lighting or for adjustable shared lighting, primarily because of the personal mobility required for operating the process machinery, sorting, packaging, and transporting the finished products. Additionally, food safety requirements as well as personal employee safety constraints require that these areas be well lighted at all times. In your 10/22/2007 CIR ruling for this credit, it was stated that the determining factor in defining "Building Occupants," "is not WHO uses the space, but HOW the space is being used." In this building, 80% of the total employee count will be engaged in physical, labor intensive tasks in areas comprising 84% of the project building area, which for safety reasons must be performed in consistently well illuminated areas. Controllable task lighting, or or for adjustable shared lighting in these areas would be additional lighting and counter-productive to the intent of the LEED Program. For these reasons, we would like to propose that this manufacturing floor area, the receiving warehouse, and the shipping warehouse, not 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. for the purposes of this credit. We suggest this because it would be unreasonable and a safety hazard to meet the intent of the credit in these area's. The project design will provide controllable task lighting for the 20% of employees included in the various levels of management and administrative staff who are provided with individual work stations. Additionally, employee support areas for training and scheduled work break area will be provided with controllable lighting functionality. So please confirm this interpretation: 1. The manufacturing floor area, the receiving warehouse, and the shipping warehouse, will not be considered regularly occupied spaces for the purposes of this credit. 2. Assuming you affirm the first interpretation, please confirm the following. We will give the 20% of occupants with workstations task lighting, and the other 80% of occupants will be accounted for by providing all other (not including spaces warehouse/shipping/receiving) regularly occupied shared spaces with adjustable lighting to meet group needs. Thus, we will have accounted for 100% of the occupants. Please confirm.
More >>
Our project is a 173,569 SF manufacturing development with a projected labor force of 450 employees. The facility will include a 71,522 SF Manufacturing Floor, with 74,426 SF of Warehouse, and 15,749 SF of Administrative and Employee Service Areas. The facility will be staffed and producing food products on a 24 hour per day basis, 365 days per year. The facility's food manufacturing operations will require a 3-shift per day staffing with approximately 120 employees per shift (80% of total employees) working on the manufacturing floor and/or supporting the manufacturing operation in warehousing, maintenance, and sanitation. The tasks performed in the manufacturing operation and in support of the manufacturing operation by their intrinsic nature are not suited for controllable task lighting or for adjustable shared lighting, primarily because of the personal mobility required for operating the process machinery, sorting, packaging, and transporting the finished products. Additionally, food safety requirements as well as personal employee safety constraints require that these areas be well lighted at all times. In your 10/22/2007 CIR ruling for this credit, it was stated that the determining factor in defining "Building Occupants," "is not WHO uses the space, but HOW the space is being used." In this building, 80% of the total employee count will be engaged in physical, labor intensive tasks in areas comprising 84% of the project building area, which for safety reasons must be performed in consistently well illuminated areas. Controllable task lighting, or or for adjustable shared lighting in these areas would be additional lighting and counter-productive to the intent of the LEED Program. For these reasons, we would like to propose that this manufacturing floor area, the receiving warehouse, and the shipping warehouse, not be considered regularly occupied spaces for the purposes of this credit. We suggest this because it would be unreasonable and a safety hazard to meet the intent of the credit in these area's. The project design will provide controllable task lighting for the 20% of employees included in the various levels of management and administrative staff who are provided with individual work stations. Additionally, employee support areas for training and scheduled work break area will be provided with controllable lighting functionality. So please confirm this interpretation: 1. The manufacturing floor area, the receiving warehouse, and the shipping warehouse, will not be considered regularly occupied spaces for the purposes of this credit. 2. Assuming you affirm the first interpretation, please confirm the following. We will give the 20% of occupants with workstations task lighting, and the other 80% of occupants will be accounted for by providing all other (not including spaces warehouse/shipping/receiving) regularly occupied shared spaces with adjustable lighting to meet group needs. Thus, we will have accounted for 100% of the occupants. Please confirm.

Hi Cristian,
For an auditorium it would make sense to meet the lighting and HVAC controls requirements for shared 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.. In this case, the theater staff should have access to the controls, not necessarily the audience.

Thanks for your valuable USGBC input, Larissa! Yes, according to the IEQ Space Matrix, "Theatres and Movie Houses" are considered multi-occupant and regularly occupied for the 'viewing auditoriums and areas" and multi-occupant and non-regularly occupied for the 'concessions'.

Which leads me to a few questions that come up continuously on EQc6.1 and EQc6.2. Any help you can provide on these questions would be greatly appreciated on this LEEDuser forum. Thanks!

-The IEQ Space Matrix states that you must include regularly and non-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. for EQc6.1 and EQc6.2. This is confusing because it conflicts with past guidance that suggested that non-regularly occupied spaces could be excluded.

-Is it just 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. or staff that are included or visitors too? This is something that causes a lot of confusion. Your response above suggests that project teams should generally consider and focus on staff and not the visitors in the multi-occupant space but some project teams have faced reviewer comments where all occupants (not just staff) were required to have controls.

Please see here for a discussion that highlights the confusion and ambiguities: http://www.leeduser.com/credit/NC-v2.2/EQc6.1?page=0#comment-30869

This 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 also raises confusion about including or excluding transients as well as including only regularly occupied or including both regularly occupied and non-regularly occupied.
CIR 5071:
"The CIR is requesting clarification on the definition of building occupants, as pertaining to EQc6.1 & EQc6.2. The determining factor is not WHO uses the space, but HOW the space is being used. It is not sufficient to ignore the needs of transient/visitors to a building and to provide lighting and thermal controls only to full time employees. (The credit requires individual control for occupants, not just FTE's). Instead, the e expected building use should be analyzed and control systems should be provided to serve all users as appropriate. As a guideline of typical library uses, we can look at the likely classifications of public areas in a library: 1) lobbies and circulation: these areas are defined as not being "regularly occupied" and therefore not required to have individual control 2) book shelf "stacks" areas: depending on use and function, these areas would not typically be classified as "regularly occupied" 3) reading/work areas: these areas are not dissimilar to an open office environment, and depending on use and function, would typically be considered "regularly occupied". System designers should apply reasonable discretion and be prepared to support the decisions they make regarding these classifications of space. In a library setting some of the patrons will likely spend long periods of time inside at specific spaces, and will be performing tasks (reading, writing) that are similar to those of workers or employees. Spaces that serve these functions should meet the requirements of EQc6.1& EQc6.2, regardless of whether they are intended for staff or library visitors. The implementation of these credits is left to the discretion of the designers, though for building types that do not "neatly" fit the credit as written in the reference guide, a description of the individual spaces and their respective functions should accompany the calculations and LEED Submittal Template to support the design decisions. Please note that the quantity of individual workstation and shared 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. must be consistent between the credits."

Hi Alicia,

When was your project registered? I ask because it would help dictate whether or not your team needs to comply with the IEQ Space Matrix. You only need to comply if your project was registered after the matrix's release: http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=220

In cell U6 in the Matrix the USGBC states that the credit scope includes "Commercial spaces- all individual and 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. (includes regularly and non-regularly occupied)." In that case - technically speaking at least - your non-regularly occupied space would need to be included.

The USGBC is currently working on a revised version that clarifies how other non-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. (such as restrooms and stairwells) should be excluded from having to comply with EQc6.1 and EQc6.2. The new updates won't be available until October or so.

From a practical level and in my opinion the crisis room should absolutely be excluded.

Hi Shaun,

It is not the case that all 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. need multiple controls. The requirement states: "Provide lighting system controls for all shared multi-occupant spaces to enable adjustments that meet group needs and preferences." If you have a conference room that would only need one set of lighting requirements then it is possible that one fixture could work. Preferably one switch would have different settings for different needs. The key isn't just in adding lighting controls but instead looking to meet the needs of the occupants of that space.
Will they have presentations in that space where they will need dimmed lighting? If so, perhaps a dimmer switch would be preferable to include in addition to a full on switch?
Will there be any possible moveable partitions in the space that might divide the room for two different sessions? If so, the reviewer will look for two different lighting setting for these spaces.

That being said, I have achieved the credit on many occasions with one light switch for one conference room. It all is determined by your specific case.

Be careful here. As Ellen stated below we consistently get review comments that 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. needed a "high level" of control such as dual switching or dimming in order to comply and meet the intent. In our experience, the reviewers have not cared what the use of the space is or what the owners want for the space and only dimming or dual switching will get credit approval.

Laura,

I will bring this up on my call today with the GBCI because I have not experienced reviewer comments requiring a "high level" of control. When I last checked in with the GBCI about the level of control needed for a private office (relating to a similar LEEDuser thread about "high level" control) I got the following response:

"Regarding EQc6.1, I agree with you, for private offices an on/off switch is sufficient means of control. Just an occupancy sensor with no override wouldn’t be acceptable. My understanding is there was some confusion on this issue a few years ago…and this review comment in the thread you mention below may have been really old. I’d be curious to know when this review comment was received."

It sounds like reviewer consistency around the issue would be one point of valuable feedback to the GBCI.

Hi Nicole,

Since this credit requires you to provide controllability for occupants non-occupied spacesOccupied 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. are generally excluded.

Hi Nicole,

I have a better and more concrete answer. Check out this recently issued (last November and then updated this July) IEQ Guidance document: http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=10539

The document lists out applicability across use types.

I think that this document will answer many questions listed on this forum, so let's try to spread the word!

Lauren

Does anyone have concerns with this spreadsheet? We had a reviewer reference it in our clarification comments but it is not found under credit resources and it seems to contradict the forms for this credit. For example, traditionally in an office application, individual spaces are considered private offices, individual cubicles and reception stations. 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. are typically conference rooms and meeting rooms. This is in keeping with the form itself. If I am reading this spreadsheet correctly, it is now requiring that traditionally non-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. such as lobbies, corridors and restrooms be included in credit calcuations. Even more disturbing to me is that pretty much all spaces in healthcare applications (exam rooms, surgical suites, labor&delivery, etc.) have been identified as multi-occupant spaces, which substantially affects the amount of controls as multioccupant spaces require 100% compliance. While it is great to have a more concrete definition of spaces that must comply, I find this list does not appear to be aligned with the form or the way we have traditionally approached this credit.

Hi Ellen,

Please check out this discussion as it relates to your comments above: http://www.leeduser.com/credit/NC-2009/IEQc6.2?page=0#comment-28488

The credit always related to "building occupants" and not explicitly to regularly and non-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.. However, I see your frustration and confusion around the spreadsheet.

Wow, good to know it is not just me. Seriously though, can I interpret this to mean that in order to achieve this credit in an office building, i need to have separate controls in places like hallways and restrooms since they are identified as "multi-occupied"? Really?

Truthfully, I am not certain. Have forum members found that reviewers are requiring hallways and restrooms to have their own controls? From a thermal comfort standpoint, it sounds super silly to me. For instance, it makes no sense that occupants passing through a hallway would need to control their temperature for that moment.
From a lighting standpoint, for EQc6.1, it seems like it would be standard practice to have a lighting switch in a bathroom to help comply with the requirements. Lighting for hallways is less apt to necessitate a light switch just for that hallway.
I think that this spreadsheet warrants more discussion and perhaps additional guidance from the USGBC.

I agree that the thermal component makes absolutely no sense in these areas. If we are just talking about on/off switches for lighting, then many of these non-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. would be standard practice. However, we consistently got review comments in the last few years that multi-occupied spaces needed a "high level" of control such as dual switching or dimming in order to comply. The thought of having to put dimmers in restrooms makes me laugh out loud it is so ridiculous.

Hi Ellen and Lauren,

Thank you for bringing these issues to our attention.

We are currently working on an updated version of the IEQ Space Matrix. The updated version will:
1. Clarify how 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. apply to IEQc6/6.1/6.2 (for example circulation spaces and restrooms ARE excluded),
2. Update the Healthcare sections to align with the Healthcare supplement, LEED credit form, and original credit intent.

We apologize for the confusion with multi-occupant spaces and hope to have these issues updated with the next addenda release (October 1st). Currently, the IEQ Space Matrix is a reference document that is intended to provide helpful guidance. USGBC is continuously working to make the IEQ Space Matrix as available and helpful as possible and welcome the feedback. Feel free to submit future issues to https://www.usgbc.org/ContactUS/LEEDContact.aspx?CMSPageID=2433, select 'General LEED Questions' then 'LEED Resources'), and to contact GBCI regarding any issues encountered during your project review.

Hi Larissa,

Any updates available on the IEQ space matrix?

Hi Larissa,

Any updates on the IEQ space matrix?

I have heard that an update is expected for the April 2013 addenda/interpretations release.

Hi LEEDuser team members,
What kinds of things would you like clarified in the IEQ Space Matrix? Please post them here so I can make sure to try to mention them on my call with the GBCI today. Itemized lists are encouraged. Thanks.

Hi Sherri,

You've hit on a question that has come up again and again. The language of the credit does not get into frequency of use so, despite the fact that the 14 arena office space seats are used intermittently, to me they seem to be still functioning as workstations. Therefore, they would need to count within your 90% controllability and not as a multi-occupant space. It doesn't appear to me that your open office area currently complies. Please note also that occupancy sensors cannot contribute toward controllability unless they have manual override capability.

The second area you describe as the primary work area for staff does seem to comply with the credit requirements.

Hope this helps a bit.
Lauren

Hi Ryan,

Not all credits work in tandem. For instance, one could argue that EQc2, conflicts with the overall energy performance for EAc1. This is just how LEED works. As a design team member you have to prioritize the requirements to pursue what makes the best and most reasonable sense for your project. In this case, it might not make sense for you to pursue EQc6.1 The beauty of LEED is that you can get to your desired certification through any number of ways.

What Ryan is asking about is Exception P under ASHRAE 90.1-2007. What I haven't been able to investigate is when Exception P was included in 90.1 or if there are any LEED Addenda that specifically exclude P from this credit. This credit wants users to have direct control but ASHRAE's inclusion of the auto controls and the depth of integration of 90.1 into LEED seems to indicate that a more formal resolution should take place.

HI Jason,

From my experience this path is usually not accepted. But I'd be open to other LEEDuser feedback on it here. I think you would have to make a really clear case that each student would have their own controllability that directly applied to their needs. For instance, one light switch or setting that controlled the light around their bed and desk and another light switch that did something similar for the other student. The reviewer will want to know that each student can really control their lighting independently.

Do you have other "workstations" in the project could aid in getting you to the 90% threshold even if your dorm rooms were only reaching 50%? Just another thought or approach...

Anyone else have thoughts on this?

My dorm had an 8" deep metal shelf in each room. The shelf was heavy duty and vandal proof. (They could hold up a corner of the loft) The underside of the shelf had a cavity for permanant task lighting. The loose desks could slide under the shelf and have task lighting. Just an idea.

I have a similar situation at my project. In case of a double occupancy dorm bedroom, would providing a dedicated outlet for students to bring/ plug in their own task lighting/ desk lamp meet the requirements for this credit?

Hi Vinsu,

Dedicated outlets are not sufficient to comply. You have to provide the lighting controls themselves.

Hey Lauren,

Thanks for responding. I felt that this might be the case. At this point the building has already been occupied and students are using their own desk lamps. Do you think its worth attempting "providing an outlet for desk lamp" as an alternative compliance? or has LEED specifically rejected this path before?

Hi Vinsu,

You could always give it a shot though, unfortunately, I don't think you'll have much success with this route.

Here's a more detailed response I was able to get from the GBCI too:

"While it is acceptable to use switched receptacles to meet the credit requirements, the proposed lighting fixture must be included within the scope of work of the project in order to qualify for credit. As stated on page 522 of the Reference Guide, switched receptacles are appropriate to provide a variety of lighting options within the space; however, the corresponding lighting fixture must also be provided if the control is included in the count of controls for individual workstations or 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.. Additionally, per the Reference Guide, task lighting does not need to be hardwired; however, it must be included in the scope of work if the control is included in the count of controls for individual workstations or multi-occupant spaces. Further, residential spaces are required to have switched receptacles per ASHRAE 90.1, so providing switched receptacles would not be an improvement beyond standard practice."