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LEED v2.2
New Construction
Sustainable Sites

Light Pollution Reduction

LEED CREDIT

NC-v2.2 SSc8: Light Pollution Reduction 1 point

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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

For interior lighting
The angle of maximum candela from each interior luminaire as located in the building shall intersect opaque building interior surfaces and not exit out through the windows. OR All non-emergency interior lighting shall be automatically controlled to turn off during non-business hours. Provide manual override capability for after hours use.

AND

For exterior lighting
Only light areas as required for safety and comfort. Do not exceed 80% of the lighting power densities for exterior areas and 50% for building facades and landscape features as defined in ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004, Exterior Lighting Section, without amendments. All projects shall be classified under one of the following zones, as defined in IESNA RP-33, and shall follow all of the requirements for that specific zone: LZ1 — Dark (park and rural settings) Design exterior lighting so that all site and building mounted luminaires produce a maximum initial illuminance value no greater than 0.01 horizontal and vertical footcandles at the site boundary and beyond. Document that 0% of the total initial designed fixture lumens are emitted at an angle of 90 degrees or higher from nadir (straight down). LZ2 — Low (residential areas) Design exterior lighting so that all site and building mounted luminaires produce a maximum initial illuminance value no greater than 0.10 horizontal and vertical footcandles at the site boundary and no greater than 0.01 horizontal footcandles 10 feet beyond the site boundary. Document that no more than 2% of the total initial designed fixture lumens are emitted at an angle of 90 degrees or higher from nadir (straight down). For site boundaries that abut public rights-of-way, light trespass requirements may be met relative to the curb line instead of the site boundary. LZ3 — Medium (commercial/Industrial, high-density residential) Design exterior lighting so that all site and building mounted luminaires produce a maximum initial illuminance value no greater than 0.20 horizontal and vertical footcandles at the site boundary and no greater than 0.01 horizontal footcandles 15 feet beyond the site. Document that no more than 5% of the total initial designed fixture lumens are emitted at an angle of 90 degrees or higher from nadir (straight down). For site boundaries that abut public rights-of-way, light trespass requirements may be met relative to the curb line instead of the site boundary. LZ4 — High (major city centers, entertainment districts) Design exterior lighting so that all site and building mounted luminaires produce a maximum initial illuminance value no greater than 0.60 horizontal and vertical footcandles at the site boundary and no greater than 0.01 horizontal footcandles 15 feet beyond the site. Document that no more than 10% of the total initial designed site lumens are emitted at an angle of 90 degrees or higher from nadir (straight down). For site boundaries that abut public rights-of-way, light trespass requirements may be met relative to the curb line instead of the site boundary. See all forum discussions about this credit »

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Frequently asked questions

Is signage included in the LPD calculations for building façades?

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Does uplight that is under a canopy count towards the limitation of total initial design fixture lumens at 90 degrees or higher from nadir?

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Is flag lighting exempt from this credit?

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What effect did the November 2011 ASHRAE table 9.4.6 Addendum I, have on exterior lighting power allowances?

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Are residential spaces exempt from the interior lighting calculations?

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Do existing fixtures need to be included in the exterior lighting calculations?

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Can the Application Guide for Multiple Buildings and On-Campus Building Projects be used for the exterior lighting requirements?

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Can a mix of Option 1 (opaque surfaces) and Option 2 (automatic controls) be used to meet the interior lighting requirements?

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Are hospitals exempt from interior lighting requirements?

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What about zero lot line projects, where is the boundary?

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To calculate building façade lighting power density, how do you determine the area used in the calculation?

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Where are vertical footcandles measured at the site boundary?

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See all forum discussions about this credit »

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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

For interior lighting
The angle of maximum candela from each interior luminaire as located in the building shall intersect opaque building interior surfaces and not exit out through the windows. OR All non-emergency interior lighting shall be automatically controlled to turn off during non-business hours. Provide manual override capability for after hours use.

AND

For exterior lighting
Only light areas as required for safety and comfort. Do not exceed 80% of the lighting power densities for exterior areas and 50% for building facades and landscape features as defined in ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004, Exterior Lighting Section, without amendments. All projects shall be classified under one of the following zones, as defined in IESNA RP-33, and shall follow all of the requirements for that specific zone: LZ1 — Dark (park and rural settings) Design exterior lighting so that all site and building mounted luminaires produce a maximum initial illuminance value no greater than 0.01 horizontal and vertical footcandles at the site boundary and beyond. Document that 0% of the total initial designed fixture lumens are emitted at an angle of 90 degrees or higher from nadir (straight down). LZ2 — Low (residential areas) Design exterior lighting so that all site and building mounted luminaires produce a maximum initial illuminance value no greater than 0.10 horizontal and vertical footcandles at the site boundary and no greater than 0.01 horizontal footcandles 10 feet beyond the site boundary. Document that no more than 2% of the total initial designed fixture lumens are emitted at an angle of 90 degrees or higher from nadir (straight down). For site boundaries that abut public rights-of-way, light trespass requirements may be met relative to the curb line instead of the site boundary. LZ3 — Medium (commercial/Industrial, high-density residential) Design exterior lighting so that all site and building mounted luminaires produce a maximum initial illuminance value no greater than 0.20 horizontal and vertical footcandles at the site boundary and no greater than 0.01 horizontal footcandles 15 feet beyond the site. Document that no more than 5% of the total initial designed fixture lumens are emitted at an angle of 90 degrees or higher from nadir (straight down). For site boundaries that abut public rights-of-way, light trespass requirements may be met relative to the curb line instead of the site boundary. LZ4 — High (major city centers, entertainment districts) Design exterior lighting so that all site and building mounted luminaires produce a maximum initial illuminance value no greater than 0.60 horizontal and vertical footcandles at the site boundary and no greater than 0.01 horizontal footcandles 15 feet beyond the site. Document that no more than 10% of the total initial designed site lumens are emitted at an angle of 90 degrees or higher from nadir (straight down). For site boundaries that abut public rights-of-way, light trespass requirements may be met relative to the curb line instead of the site boundary.

XX%

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Got the gist of SSc8 but not sure how to actually achieve it? LEEDuser gives step-by-step help. Premium members get:

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  • Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
  • Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
  • Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
  • Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.

Is signage included in the LPD calculations for building façades?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Does uplight that is under a canopy count towards the limitation of total initial design fixture lumens at 90 degrees or higher from nadir?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Is flag lighting exempt from this credit?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

What effect did the November 2011 ASHRAE table 9.4.6 Addendum I, have on exterior lighting power allowances?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Are residential spaces exempt from the interior lighting calculations?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Do existing fixtures need to be included in the exterior lighting calculations?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Can the Application Guide for Multiple Buildings and On-Campus Building Projects be used for the exterior lighting requirements?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Can a mix of Option 1 (opaque surfaces) and Option 2 (automatic controls) be used to meet the interior lighting requirements?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Are hospitals exempt from interior lighting requirements?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

What about zero lot line projects, where is the boundary?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

To calculate building façade lighting power density, how do you determine the area used in the calculation?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Where are vertical footcandles measured at the site boundary?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

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