Discover the key strategies used in LEED buildings to improve occupant comfort and control, including operable windows, ergonomic furniture, and personalized lighting options.
Table of Contents
Question
Strategies for improving building occupants’ comfort and control may consist of
A. ensuring adequate ventilation, monitoring carbon dioxide and prohibiting smoking
B. installing operable windows, giving occupants lighting control and providing ergonomic furniture
C. designing for proper ventilation, monitoring outdoor airflow and including appropriate acoustic design
D. specifying low-emitting materials, testing for radon and other on-site contaminants and installing entryway grates
Answer
B. installing operable windows, giving occupants lighting control and providing ergonomic furniture
Explanation
Strategies for improving building occupants’ comfort and control may consist of installing operable windows, giving occupants lighting control and providing ergonomic furniture. These strategies can enhance the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of a building, which is the physical and psychological conditions of the indoor spaces that affect the health, comfort, and productivity of the occupants.
Installing operable windows can allow occupants to adjust the natural ventilation, temperature, and fresh air intake of their spaces. Giving occupants lighting control can allow them to adjust the artificial lighting levels, color, and direction of their spaces. Providing ergonomic furniture can support the physical comfort, posture, and well-being of the occupants.
LEED green buildings aim to enhance occupant comfort and control through several key strategies:
- Operable windows: Allowing occupants to open windows provides fresh air and gives them control over ventilation and temperature in their space. This enhances thermal comfort.
- Occupant lighting control: Giving occupants the ability to adjust lighting, such as with dimmer switches and task lighting, allows them to personalize illumination to their needs and preferences. This improves visual comfort.
- Ergonomic furniture: Providing adjustable, ergonomically designed furniture supports proper posture and reduces physical strain and discomfort for occupants. Ergonomic chairs, sit-stand desks, and appropriately sized workstations are examples.
The other answer options, while relevant to green buildings, do not directly address occupant comfort and individual environmental control:
A) Focuses more on indoor air quality than occupant control
C) Addresses ventilation and acoustics but not individual adjustability
D) Deals with pollutant reduction rather than occupant comfort features
In summary, operable windows, occupant-controlled lighting, and ergonomic furnishings are the LEED strategies that most directly improve occupant comfort and control by providing adjustability and personalization of the indoor environment to suit individual needs. Implementing these features enhances the experience of a building’s occupants.
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