Hi Katie,

Have you seen the EQ Space Matrix for its guidance on Libraries? http://www.usgbc.org/resources/eq-space-type-matrix

"Study Carrels" are listed as 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.. "Workrooms", the "Circulation Desk", "Reading Area"s are all considered 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..

You have described the study rooms as being group study rooms. In that case it seems that based off the definition of multi-occupant they could count as 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. instead of individual workstations. By definition "Multi occupant spaces are places of congregation, or where occupants pursue overlapping or collaborative tasks. Multi occupant spaces may be regularly or 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." your group study space are multi-occupant.

Traditionally, one thermostat for 2-3 small study rooms wouldn't count. However, you're saying that the controllability is coming from changing the air (not the temperature). I think these CIRs below might provide guidance. If occupants can control the speed of the air flow I think you are OK.

LI#1770 MADE ON 05/07/2007
Inquiry

"The project team is providing individual floor air valves each with variable duration (open / close) primary air dampers and multi-position diffusersIn an HVAC context, diffusers disperse heating, cooling, or ventilation air as it enters a room, ideally preventing uncomfortable direct currents and in many cases, reducing energy costs and improving indoor air quality (IAQ). In light fixtures, diffusers filter and disperse light. for occupant comfort conditioning as part of an under floor air distribution system. Individual floor air valves will be provided for a minimum of 50% of the building occupants. The variable duration (open/close) primary air dampers in the floor air valves will be controlled using thermostats. Multiple air valves will be connected to one thermostat, such that there will not be one thermostat for 50% of the occupants. However, all of the local floor air valves include multi-position adjustable floor diffusers which are integral to each floor air valve. At a minimum, 50% of the occupants will have control over the primary air flow direction out of the local floor air valve in their space (comfort zone) by adjusting the multi-position local floor diffuser air outlet. Changing the direction of the air flow inherently changes the speed of the airflow in a given direction. LEED NC v.2.2, First Edition, Reference Guide, p361, indicates: Conditions for Thermal Comfort per ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 include the following as primary factors: air temperature, radiant temperature, air speed, and humidity. The Reference guide also states that, ""Comfort System control, for the purposes of this credit, is defined as the provision of control over at least one of these primary factors in the occupant's local environment"" and that ""Individual adjustments may involve individual thermostat controls, local diffusers at floor, desk or overhead levels, or control of individual radiant panels, and energy system design."" This CIR is to confirm that providing air valves, with multi position diffusers, that allow more than 50% of the occupants to change the direction of airflow out of their floor diffuser (which changes the speed in that direction) will satisfy the LEED credit requirement for thermal comfort."

Ruling

"The applicant is asking whether multi position diffusers that allow changes in direction of airflow satisfy the requirements for individual comfort control for EQc6.2. The applicant is suggesting that changing the direction of airflow inherently changes the speed of the airflow in a given direction, meeting credit compliance by providing control of air speed. Simply changing the direction of airflow in one's workspace does not adequately meet the credit intent to provide individual comfort controls. Individual diffusers must have the ability to regulate the speed of the air leaving the diffuser, not simply the direction of airflow."

LI#1722 MADE ON 03/22/2007
Inquiry

"The project team is providing thermostat controls at all shared multi-occupant spaces in our project and the client would like to provide staff with desktop air purifier units that provide individual occupant control of air speed. The personal air purifier units have the following features: three speeds control, 70o oscillation option, and a four-setting auto-shutoff timer (30 minutes, one hour, two hours or four hours). The units also feature: OzoneGuardT front grill vents that help reduce smog as its breeze cools the space. The manufacturer product information states that the ""OzoneGuardT front grill features a PremAirc catalytic coating that instantly changes ozone (O3) molecules into oxygen (O2) molecules on contact. Per the LEED NC v.2.2, First Edition, Reference Guide, p361, Conditions for Thermal Comfort per ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 includes the following as primary factors: air temperature, radiant temperature, air speed, and humidity. The Reference guide also states that, ""Comfort System control, for the purposes of this credit, is defined as the provision of control over at least one of these primary factors in the occupant's local environment"" and that ""Individual adjustments may involve individual thermostat controls, local diffusers at floor, desk or overhead levels, or control of individual radiant panels, and energy system design."" This CIR is to confirm that the above design solution of providing personal air purifier units at the desktop meets the credit intent and that USGBC will accept the product manufacturer information sheet as part of the LEED credit documentation for this credit?"

Ruling

"The project team is correct in stating that individual control over one of the primary thermal comfort factors (i.e. air temperature, radiant temperature, air speed, and humidity) will satisfy the controllability requirement of this credit. The personal air purifiers described above will provide occupants individual control over air speed. However, the intent of this credit is to make thermal comfort controllability an integral part of the building design for occupants. Therefore, unless the fans/air-purifiers are hard-wired in the building system, they will not satisfy the requirement of this credit. Similarly, plug-in desktop fans will not satisfy the requirement of this credit which deals with providing thermal comfort control as an integral part of the building design. Note that for the purposes of this credit, the fan component of the device is of importance. The air purification feature of the device does not address thermal comfort and thus will not add to the thermal comfort controllability of the device."

Can I please get a response to my question from almost a month ago?

Thank you,

Patrick, please see our forum FAQs. That said, I will ask around.

Patrick,
Are the dorm rooms single occupancy or double occupancy? In other words, does the FCU that serves the 2 rooms serve 2 occupants or 4 occupants?

Probably need to do a 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 - have you checked the LEED InterpretationLEED Interpretations are official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project. They help people understand how their projects can meet LEED requirements and provide clarity on existing options. LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED Interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. LEED Interpretations are published in a searchable database at usgbc.org. data base?

Patrick,

Is the quoted area you have provided from a narrative you have submitted form a LEED-NC v2.2 project before and, if so, what was the language from the reviewer when they accepted it? I reviewed the Interpretations database and did not find any specific guidance on your question. You might want to take a look again and make sure I didn't miss it: http://www.usgbc.org/leed/developing-leed/interpretations

In principal if it worked for a NC v2.2 project it should also work in this case. They key is in proving that controllability - per room - exists. Based off of your description it does sound like controls exist in each room.

I agree with Dylan that the way to know for sure is to submit your own 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 to the USGBC.

In looking at this closely it is not clear actually that real controllability ever exists for both rooms simultaneously. It sounds like controllability is an either/or scenario with one room having control and then the other not having control. The average scenario also does not seem to provide controllability that meets the intent of the credit either.

I would be happy to hear everyone's thoughts on this approach and to keep the conversation going.

It's possible that this approach passed previously when dorm rooms were considered individual workstations and when compliance was based on controls for 50% of the individual workstations.

Do the dorm rooms have operable windows?

Thanks for all the feedback!

John - there are 3 occupants, for every FCU there is 1 single occupancy & 1 double occupancy dorm room side by side.

Dylan - we did check interpretations and didn't see anything with regard to this type of set up, and we are considering a 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 but wanted to check LEED user first.

Lauren - the narrative language was from a V2.2 acccepted credit, there wasn't a response from the reviewer - it was just accepted.

Lauren - your point is why we are asking the question, wanting to be sure it will work for V2009.

Lauren - the dorms do have operable windows but they are limited to an 8" opening therefore they will not comply.

Hi Patrick,
I don't think you comply with the requirements that 50% of the occupants have the ability to control their thermal comfort. With 3 residents (1 in one room and 2 in another room) and 1 FCU, you really only are providing for 33% of the occupants. I think some confusion may come from the LEED Online form where in Table IEQc6.2-1. Individual Controls, it has one list the spaces with no reference to the number of occupants in each space. The table is really setup for an office situation. The table should include a column for the number of occupants in each space. The credit requirements are clear...it's based on number of occupants having control, not number of spaces, and I don't think your scenario meets the 50% threshold for control.
All the best,
John

Hi Patrick,
I agree with John, this approach does not meet the credit requirements and will not be approved for v2 or 2009 projects.
I would recommend submitting a 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 if you would like to use this strategy.

That sounds a little convoluted—I would try emailing your reviewer to clarify, including a note in your narrative, and/or relabeling the entry on the form as Living/Kitchen/Dining.

Per the IEQ Space Matrix, you need to only have one thermal control per residential unit to meet the requirements. That comes from cell U6 of the BD+C tab of the July 2012 version of the IEQ SpaceMatrix.

Erica,
I believe the word "space" is confusing the situation. "Spaces" is in regards to multi-person spaces. Building occupants is the other measurement regarding the 50% rule.
An office space that is intended to have two people full time should be considered as 1 room with 2 occupants. You'd get a 50% value for 1 temperature control in that room.
Just an additional clarification, an office that might have 3 people shown on the plans - one desk and computer, but two extra chairs for visitors would be considered 1 occupant. The other occupants are transient and not considered full time.

Yes, definitely the word "space".... and the examples they use in the reference guide, and the way the LEED Form is set up.
2 desks = 2 spaces/occupants is always how I've calculated it previously, but then I think I started to confuse myself. :P Thanks!

Adam, unfortunately this is an area with unclear requirements. See this excellent discussion thread for some background on similar issues, but no clear resolution.

Hi Adam, your question is very similar to Victor's "bus 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. areas" question. The intent of the credit is to give occupants greater control of their thermal comfort. I do think that you need to provide individual controls for the cashiers. Please see my comment on "bus bay areas" for the rationale and possible design solution.

John, and Adam.

I agree that the intent of the credit is to provide controllability for occupants. I think we would all agree with that bit. However, I think it gets much less clear once you move beyond that basic understanding and get into implementing the details.

In the case of a shopping mall, I would take a look at the LEED for Retail requirements for Controllability of Systems. For more information, go here: http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=7956 (page 67).
I have provided controls to cashiers before for a coffee shop I worked on, I also provide task lights for visitors to read books, or do whatever tasks they were doing when visiting the café.

I think it gets muddied when you think about the visitors to a space. In a mall environment, in my view, it’s not practical to really provide controls to all occupants.

As Tristan mentioned, here is a good summary of some of the conflicting cases: http://www.leeduser.com/credit/NC-2009/IEQc6.1?page=0#comment-31034

• On October 17, Larissa Oaks with the GBCI advised a LEEDuser to consider an auditorium as a shared multi-occupant space where the theater staff has access to controls but not necessarily the audience. This guidance suggests that it is only staff that should be considered and not visitors.

• Issued last summer, the IEQ Space Matrix states that 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. should be included within the calculation

• 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 5071 seems to state that you should include both visitors and staff when doing the calculation, but that you should mostly look to include spaces that are regularly occupied and not worry as much about the non-regularly occupied spaces.

• Unfortunately, these items do not provide clear guidance to project teams.

My feeling is that the intent of the credit is to encourage the appropriate amount of controllability for users. If you can step back from the LEED work a bit and imagine that someone might very well benefit from having individual controls because they are doing an individual task that would benefit from their own controls then it would help to meet the intent of the credit to provide controls for that person. Personally, I think that’s much easier to do for lighting than for thermal comfort but that’s not always the case. For instance, operable windows go a long way to provide occupants with a chance to change their thermal comfort. Operable windows don’t work everywhere and are rarely seen in malls, save for a few specific climates that allow for it.

Victor, it seems like these spaces shoud be included in the credit as multi-occupant spacesConference rooms, classrooms and other indoor spaces used as a place of congregation for presentations, trainings, etc. Individuals using these spaces share the lighting and temperature controls and they should have, at a minimum, a separate zone with accessible thermostat and an air-flow control. Group multi-occupant spaces do not include open office plans that contain individual workstations..

Hi Victor, I do think you need to include these spaces for credit compliance. However, I disagree with Tristan (sorry about that Tristan). The intent of the credit is to give occupants greater control of their thermal comfort. The occupants in this space are in various areas doing different tasks. This is not the case in "multi-occupant" like conference rooms where everyone is in the same often densely occupied area doing essentially the same thing (same level of activity). So, to meet the credit requirement for the space in question I think you would need to provide spot conditioning (e.g., spot coolers and radiant heaters) for 50% of the occupants. Doing so, would meet the credit intent and the requirements.

Ken, that's an inventive idea, but it seems unlikely to me. Exhaust hoods aren't designed to affect comfort at the workstation, and may have negligible or negative effect depending on the circumstances. Also, a key point with this credit is giving occupants control over their thermal comfort, but control of an exhaust hood, and whether it is on or off, is going to be a function of activity in the kitchen and ventilation needs, not occupant comfort.

You could always try making the case for it, but I doubt LEED would permit it.

Michael, this would not be accepted. Here the description of how to do the calculations for this credit from the LEED Ref Guide:
"Identify workstations intended for individual use, such as private offices, open-plan workstations... confirm that 50% or more of individuals occupying these location have at least 1 means of individual control over thermal comfort."
Basically, you don't get to count the total occupant load of the build. Just the occupants in workstations.

Hi Fabiano,
I suggest you outline on a drawing the thermal zone served by each VRF unit. Label the drawing so that the reviewer can match up the VRF with the zone and then just show a t'stat in the zone. It shouldn't matter where. A simple narrative like the one in your 2nd paragraph should suffice to explain the system to the reviewer. It's likely they are just not familiar with the wireless sensor technology that many VRF systems use now.
Good luck!

Hi Sandra,
I do not believe the credit requires individual thermal comfort control for the visitors. While the credit language uses the term "occupants", the reference guide mentions only areas where FTEs would be present (offices, reception desks, etc.). So yes, the back offices would need to meet the 50% requirement. The sales areas are classified as a 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. (this is supported in the IEQ Space Matrix developed by USGBC). Hope this helps.

Hi Sandra,

You've hit on a tricky scenario. Currently LEED for Retail doesn't exist for Core and Shell projects. However, I would still take a look at LEED for Retail for general thoughts and guidance. Please go here: http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=8870 (page 75). The language states: "Provide individual lighting controls for 90% (minimum) of retail employees in office and administrative spaces, enabling adjustments to suit individual task needs and preferences.
AND
Provide individual thermal comfort controls for 50% (minimum) of retail employees in office and administrative
spaces to enable adjustments to suit individual task needs and preferences." Granted, your reviewer may or may not take this approach seeing as your project is not registered under LEED for Retail but I think you could make a strong case for using the approach outlined in this system while referencing the limitation of currently not having access to a LEED for Retail for Core and Shell.

I worked on one LEED-CI project that wasn't registered as LEED-CI Retail but we still used some of the language successfully from LEED-CI Retail in our approach for EQc6.

Is your project's scope including the mechanical controls? I'd just make sure to review this language from the LEED-CS 2009 Reference Guide which states: "Core and shell projects that do not purchase and/or install the mechanical system or operable windows (or a combination of both) have not met the intent of this credit."

Further, I often include a potential floor plan layout for reviewers breaking down the space plan for your Core and Shell space with notations indicating the thermal comfort controls.

I agree with John that the shoppers in the mall wouldn't need to be included. However, part time employees and full time employees would.

Hope this helps a bit. Any other LEEDuser forum members have additional advice or experiences they could share?

sorry, LEED for Retail is found here: http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=7956
and not in the original link I provided.

We have used thermal diffuser with thermostats on projects in the past with success.

This would probably be a pretty heavy price tagLEED Technical Advisory Group (TAG): Subcommittees that consist of industry experts who assist in developing credit interpretations and technical improvements to the LEED system. on a project of your size (for one point). This credit is more applicable to rewarding projects with certain types of HVAC systems that easily allow for individual control. Eg: Natural Ventilation systems, Underfloor Air Distribution, etc.

Hi Kim,

I understand your frustration. It looks like the document was originally issued last November (http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=220). When was your hospital project registered with the USGBC? I would take a look at that date and then I would suggest potentially making a case for your project team lacking access to this document when you were making important early design decisions. For instance, if you started your hospital's design a couple years ago (which I find is often the case for large hospital projects) then I think you could make a strong case for being unfairly held to this new guidance document.

"Space Type Classification (ZIP) -- This spreadsheet categorizes the spaces from IES Lighting Handbook, 10th Edition (ISBN # 978-0-87995-241-9) for applicability to Indoor Environmental Quality credits. These lists should be used along with the definitions provided in the Reference Guide glossary. Exceptions to these classifications will be accepted on a case-by-case basis for spaces with atypical uses or those in which strategies required for compliance may compromise the function of the space. This is not an exhaustive list. If a space is not listed, project teams should try to find a similar space type and follow that guidance. (11/1/2011)"

Just as a quick note for this comment, and all of my comments, this is my suggestion but I cannot absolutely guarantee that this approach with pass with the USGBC. Ultimately it is the reviewer's final ruling that matters.

Thanks, Lauren. We registered the project in the late fall of 2010, so we definitely will make the case for not being held to a tool/interpretation that post dates that by roughly a year.

Were you aware of this spreadsheet rising to what amounts to an addendum to the Reference Guides?

Hi Kim,

Good luck.

To me it just seems to be a "reference" document and not an official addendum to the Reference Guide but I could be wrong? http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=19222

I can't say I have done an analysis of all the building types, but in the case of healthcare facilities this in effect makes every space in a hospital or clinic (except for patient rooms, bathrooms, nursing unit desk positions and storage closets) into a "multi-occupant space". This is a substantial expansion of that definition as it appears in all the Reference Guides: "indoor spaces used as a place of congregation for functions such as presentations and training". In fact, this Matrix classifies linen areas and utility rooms, corridors and stairwells, labor and delivery rooms as "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.".

The LEED HC guide says controls in every single patient (sleep) room and individual controls for 50% of the remaining building and to provide comfort system controls for all 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.. No specific reference of the document discussed here but the HC guide does refer back to the NC guide for shared multi-occupant spaces. So all LEED HC projects are required to use the IEQ space matrix guide. Kim, I know you said your project was NC but does this interpretation for hospitals help you out? It does seem like a very broad definition of multi-occupant space. How do they even consider the clean and soiled hold rooms occupied space?

As you note, this project is just "plain" NC 2009. Registration predated the requirement for it to be done under LEED HC.

Our real heartburn is over our diagnostic and treatment rooms - exam spaces. We were already counting on giving all patient rooms their own thermal zone controls, but not every exam room, every soiled and clean linen room, every medication room! That's the Killer about the multi-occupant space designation: the Credit requires that every multi-occupant space (not 50%, not 90%, EVERY) have its own thermal zone. Please download the Matrix and look at the list of spaces - and how many of them are considered regularly occupied, too!

I'm apoplectic. Do they know how this can or can not be implemented? How do you implement controls for all the people in an OR? What if the procedure requires a low temperature? Will they now try to tell me how many people are in each room? So an exam room can potentially have 4 or more people in it (nurse, doc, patient, support person). Does this mean that you need to have 2 t stats in the room? Does this make sense in a 150 s.f. room? My only suggestion for you is to fight the soiled, clean, med, pantry and other similar spaces to be individual space. The RG states that group multioccupant spaces are 'places of congregation' and all those spaces are not intended to have people congretating there.

This space matrix document is very confusing. I always thought that total of the regularly occupied space (ROS) had to be the same across all credits? This matrix says that some spaces can be exempt in some credits, but not others. How do you exempt a space without taking it out of the total ROS? Do you give it 100% compliance with the credit that you are exempting it from?

Hi Jill,

I understand why it's confusing. However, you can have different ROS across credits if you have justification for it. A good justification, of course, would be in referencing this space matrix. When certain spaces are exempt or if all spaces happen to exempt in your project context that does not warrant 100% compliance. It either means that those spaces are simply excluded from your calculations for that credit's compliance or, in the case where all spaces are exempted in your project, then you wouldn't be eligible to pursue that point.

This is more than just confusing. It is actually changing the intent of the credit. Kim's point about the multi-occupant space designation and the requirement that ALL spaces (regularly and non-regularly occupied) need to be considered in the credit is very significant. According to the matrix, corridors, lobbies and stairs all are considered multi-occupant and would ALL have to have thermal comfort control for the credit to be achieved. This can't possibly be what they mean - can it? What about non-conditioned spaces like parking garages?

I appreciate the effort that must have gone into this matrix, but it only seems to have made things worse. It is unacceptable to me the extent to which credit requirements and even credit intents are changing mid-rating system. We need to be able to rely on certain things. For the past couple of years it seems that everything is a moving target -and it is only getting worse. Is there anything that can be done? I know others are frustrated too.

Technically speaking, the credit has always included regularly occupied 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.. If you look back at the reference guide from LEED-NC v2.2 you can see that it was the same there as well or perhaps just as confusing there as it is here.

Another way to put it is that the RG always just refers to "building occupants" for the requirement of individual lighting controls and multi-occupant controls. I believe that regularly-occupied and non-regularly occupied are only referenced within the definition section of the credit and not within the credit's description. To me it was assumed that regularly and non-regularly occupied spaces were to be included but that non-occupied spaces were to be excluded. Non-occupied spaces are closets, janitorial, storage and equipment rooms.
Confusion, in my opinion, also stems from their examples. Their examples for multi-occupant spacesConference rooms, classrooms and other indoor spaces used as a place of congregation for presentations, trainings, etc. Individuals using these spaces share the lighting and temperature controls and they should have, at a minimum, a separate zone with accessible thermostat and an air-flow control. Group multi-occupant spaces do not include open office plans that contain individual workstations. in the RG refer to "conference rooms, classrooms, and other indoor spaces as a place of congregation for functions such as presentations and training". These spaces are much different in use than, say, a stairwell or corridor which - as you've noted - appear in the IEQ Space Matrix. A stairwell is rarely a place of congregation.

If someone from the USGBC or GBCI could chime in that would be great. Would be good to hear their opinion. The Space Matrix is trying to be helpful and I believe it was originally intended to be used as a guide for project teams. However, if reviewers use it as the new requirements then you can see how project teams would run into trouble. The IEQ Space Matrix does state that "exceptions will be accepted on a case-by-case basis for spaces with atypical uses or those in which strategies for compliance may compromise the function of the space". If I were a project team, I might refer to my reviewer to this language.

A good forum for stating your suggestions for LEED's improvement would be the public comment period for the system's updates.

Good clarification on the the occupant vs. space issue. It is true that the credit language has always been based on building occupants - not spaces. That implies to me that 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 not be included - but that was an assumption on my part. Perhaps that is where the confusion is coming in. The matrix and the credit form goes space by space, but that does not match up with the language about occupants.

Although we have been closely tracking rating system updates and actively contributing during the comment periods, my concerns relate to the process of refinements being made within an approved rating system. The huge number of addenda, the lack of a single resource with the most current information and the constant changes to the credit forms make it exceedingly difficult to adivise project teams of compliance requirements. I will try to find a better place to express these concerns.

Hi Nancy,

Trust me, I understand! Feel free to place your concerns here as well. I think it's good for us to share our confusions. I just wish I knew how to fix it for us all!

That's great that you have been actively contributing during the comment periods. I am going to try to continue to do so as well.

Can I say how much I'm enjoying that the autopsy and morgue areas are multi-occupant and regularly occupied? It is really going to be difficult to get those thermal verification surveys back from the patients. :)

I'm going to have a lot to say during the next comment period on this one.

Susan, your last comment really made me chuckle...and got my attention. Kim, per the "rules" your project cannot be required to comply with the July 2012 addenda. Although as we've seen, GBCI sometimes makes up its own rules. That being said, here's what I recommend:
Make the case that the applicable spaces are not "occupiable spaces" per the definition of ASHRAE 62.1-2007 which is as follows, "occupiable space: an enclosed space intended for human activities, excluding those spaces intended primarily for other purposes, such as storage rooms and equipment rooms, that are only occupied occasionally and for short periods of time."

This would cover the corridors, autopsy, morgue areas and other similar spaces. As for the "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.", you may try to make the following argument. If the thermal zone includes more than one area (note, I did not use the term space) bounded by walls but sharing the similar load profiles and occupancy schedules, then these areas constitute one space and one "occupied zone" (per ASHRAE 55) and one ventilation zone (per ASHRAE 62.1). The credit requirement is that the group within the shared multi-occupant spaces can has comfort system controls. There is nothing in the credit requirement that says the group has to be in the same room. I know its a bit of stretch and is cutting the semantics pretty finely, but it just may work. Good luck with it. I hope for the best for your project.

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.

Also note that the healthcare section is especially applicable to the following footnote from the document:

"Due to the varied nature of this space type, project teams are to use best judgment when applying the space type definitions and the pursuant prerequisite or credit requirements. When in conflict, code requirements that are meant to protect health, safety and welfare of occupants must take priority over the LEED requirements. Credits that are in conflict with these requirements should not be pursued. In order to comply with a prerequisite, alternative standards or guidelines that are not in conflict must be presented and complied with, in lieu of the LEED referenced standard or guideline"

I have noticed that several area use types in the IEQ Space Matrix are listed as being both individual occupant 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.. Open office spaces in particular caught my attention. I received a review comment for IEQc6.2 regarding a room with two desks which states “Note that in 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., workers use standard workstations to conduct individual tasks. Examples are private offices and open office areas with multiple workers. Shared multi-occupant spaces include conference rooms, classrooms, and other indoor spaces used as places of congregation……….Refer to the IEQ Space Matrix for a list of individual workstations and multi-occupant spaces applicable to this credit.”

It appears that an open office area with multiple work stations would be considered as one individual occupant space. Is this correct?

Hi Baoquy,

Sorry if it's not clear from the Reference Guide but your reviewer is trying to say that an open office work area is comprised of multiple workstations that are each accounted for as "individual workstations". So, if you have an open office work area with two desks they would each count as individual workstations in that space.

Hope that helps.

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.

They do not need to exactly match because - just as you state - there are reasons why they wouldn't logically always be the same. Reviewers should go into their review understanding this. However, if they were vastly different that might raise some red flags. Good luck!

Robert,
You can include thermostats if they provide the user with control of the system (e.g. temperature changes, fan speed changes, etc.). Some thermostats are locked out or are only temperature sensors, these would not be able to be included.
Are you attempting this credit for a multi-family project? A hotel? Below others have discussed how to document spaces in these types of projects.

Yes, controllable thermostats would count.

Hmm, I don't know of any kind of official ruling here. I think the test of reasonableness should just be applied. Generally speaking, they should be aligned as closely as possible as you've noted. If they aren't close they aren't meeting the intent.

Hi Sung Su,

I haven't seen this done before but I do think you could meet the credit requirements in this way especially if your project is in a location with high humidity. You would just need to make sure that at least 50% of your individual workstations have access to these controls. Also, don't forget the 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.. Those spaces would need to have general thermal comfort criteriaComfort criteria are specific design conditions that take into account temperature, humidity, air speed, outdoor temperature, outdoor humidity, seasonal clothing, and expected activity. (ASHRAE 55–2004) controls.

Just for my edification, what is the name of the individual humidifier that you're specifying? How is it installed, etc?

Lauren

I mean that the most common humidifier, an "evaporative", "cool mist", or "wick humidifier", consists of just a few basic parts: a reservoir, wick and fan.

I think it can be installed by putting on the indivisual desk.

Please refer to this link --> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humidifier

Thank you Lauren~~~