Page 206 - The Engineering Guide to LEED-New Construction Sustainable Construction for Engineers

184 Cha pte r F o u r

FIGURE 4.7.1 Fuel Cell at West Quad on the University of South Carolina Campus in Columbia, S.C.

Breathing Zone The designers of the energy systems should be cognizant of many
parameters that affect other credits. One is the breathing zone. This is used in the Indoor
Environmental Quality category for EQc1 if any of the options for CO monitoring are
2
used, and for EQc2 if the air quality testing option is sought. The breathing zone is an
area defined as being between two imaginary planes that are located 3 and 6 ft above
the floor, and are bound vertically by planes that are around 2 ft off from any wall or
fixed air unit. The air quality parameter measurements are taken within the breathing
zone as specified. LEED 2009 allows for these measurements outside of the vertical
planes if necessary. If the breathing zone represents the volumes that are typically
important for good air quality, then designing the energy systems in the building such
that improved air quality is focused in these volumes would be very important for a
green building.

References
Andrepoint, J. (2006), “Developments in Thermal Energy Storage: Large Applications,
Low Temps, High Efficiency, and Capital Savings,” Energy Engineering, 103(4): 7–18.
ASHRAE (2004), 90.1-2004: Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential
Building, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,
Atlanta, GA.
ASHRAE (2004), Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Office Buildings, American
Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA.
ASHRAE (2006), Advanced Energy Design Guide for Small Warehouses and Self Storage
Buildings, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning
Engineers, Atlanta, GA.