[Equest-users] Modeling site obstructions for EAp2c1

[Nick Caton]

Arpan & others:

In my experiences with the LEED reviewership (your mileage may vary), I have found the User's manual to be at least as solid a source for citation as the 90.1 Standard itself, for a variety of topics.  If I recall correctly, reviewers have in fact cited the User's Manual on occasion within their commentary.

I have not as of yet attempted modeling adjacent buildings or other permanent shading elements for  a LEED submission, but it seems the User's Manual is clear enough:  model any such remote shading sources identically in both models, if at all.  An extra nuance to consider however is how you handle the baseline rotations (assuming LEED-NC here) in regards to those exterior elements...  I would be sure to touch on that for your EAp2 documentation.  Intuitively, I would expect such elements should not rotate with the building, in the spirit of substantiating the "site orientation" decision-making, which may (or may not) require some additional legwork beyond the usual simple baseline parametric runs.

IF such shading demonstrates a legitimate improvement in the proposed design relative to the baseline averages (I wouldn't count on it for all cases), AND the shading sources in question are at least as permanent as the building itself (i.e. other buildings, a sheer cliff face, etc.  - something more transient like trees/foliage I would feel dubious about) I'd give it a shot, with care to document your procedure very clearly, including the User's Manual citation.

Worst case scenario:  Reviewer tells you to remove them in their technical advice - live & learn (and let us know!) ;)

Regards,

~Nick
[cid:489575314 at 22072009-0ABB]

NICK CATON, P.E.
SENIOR ENGINEER

Smith & Boucher Engineers
25501 west valley parkway, suite 200
olathe, ks 66061
direct 913.344.0036
fax 913.345.0617
www.smithboucher.com

From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org [mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org] On Behalf Of Demba Ndiaye
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 3:19 PM
To: Arpan Bakshi
Cc: equest-users
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] Modeling site obstructions for EAp2c1

Arpan,

The User's Manual seeks to explain the intent of the Standard. I see no wording related to neighboring buildings in the applicable sections of the Standard, meaning it does not regulate this aspect, and consequently the Baseline should not be penalized if deciding to model neighboring building effects.


From: Arpan Bakshi [mailto:arpanbakshi at gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 2:27 PM
To: Demba Ndiaye
Cc: equest-users
Subject: Re: [Equest-users] Modeling site obstructions for EAp2c1


Demba, unfortunately, the User's Manual cannot be used as the word of the rating authority. It would need to be cited somewhere in the Standard, or in a ruling by the GBCI.



Arpan Bakshi    LEED AP BD+C, ESTIDAMA PQP

On Wed, Mar 20, 2013 at 2:25 PM, Demba Ndiaye <Demba.Ndiaye at setty.com<mailto:Demba.Ndiaye at setty.com>> wrote:
Arpan,

The 90.1-2007 User's Manual clearly states (page G-15):

"Shading of the building by surrounding structures and topography should be modeled identically in both the proposed and baseline buildings."

Which confirms what you have grasped.

Regards,



[S&A Logo]Demba Ndiaye, Ph.D., P.E., LEED AP BD+C, BEMP
Senior Energy Analyst/Mechanical Engineer

Setty & Associates, Ltd.

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From: equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org<mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org> [mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org<mailto:equest-users-bounces at lists.onebuilding.org>] On Behalf Of Arpan Bakshi
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 12:53 PM
To: equest-users
Subject: [Equest-users] Modeling site obstructions for EAp2c1

All,

I have learned through informal conversations that modeling site obstructions from (surrounding buildings) is fine by GBCI, so long as there is consistency and the same approach is taken in both Baseline and Proposed models, i.e. either both models include surrounding buildings, nor neither does.

Is there a CIR or other reference anyone is familiar with which records this guidance, which can be cited?

Thanks.


Arpan Bakshi    LEED AP BD+C, ESTIDAMA PQP

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