855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 144

Extracted Content

incidences of heat exhaustion and dehydration, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Evaporative and outdoor cooling solutions Projects may also incorporate evaporative and outdoor cooling solutions, such as fountains, misters, and water features. These can significantly enhance outdoor thermal comfort by reducing ambient temperatures through the evaporation of water, creating a more pleasant microclimate in outdoor spaces.

Providing outdoor cooling stations equipped with emergency backup power is essential for offering rest and relief during high-temperature events. These stations can include shaded seating and misting systems to create comfortable environments. The backup power ensures that cooling stations remain operational during outages, enhancing community resilience and safety by preventing heat-related illnesses.

Locate emergency cooling stations within 0.25 miles (400 meters) of the building for easy access.

Passive cooling strategies Orienting buildings for passive cooling is a key strategy for enhancing energy efficiency and occupant comfort in sustainable design. Positioning site structures to take advantage of natural airflow and local wind patterns significantly reduces the need for mechanical cooling systems in buildings. The thoughtful placement of windows, doors, and shading devices plays a crucial role in minimizing heat gain from direct sunlight, thereby keeping interior spaces cooler during extreme heat events.

Reducing heat island effects Using paving materials with high SR can reduce the absorption of heat from the sun and reduce urban heat island effects for site paving and structures (including roads, sidewalks, playgrounds, shelters, and parking lots). Paving materials must have an initial SR value of at least 0.33, as measured in accordance with ANSI/CRRC S100 [65] . Using vegetated surfaces and planted areas, such as an open-grid pavement system, are important strategies to reduce the use of impervious surfaces that can also contribute to heat island effects.

65 “ANSI/CRRC S100”, Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC), accessed https://coolroofs.org/resources/ansi-crrc-s100

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 134