855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 483

Extracted Content

Residential

  • Meet the requirements above for all areas inside and outside the building except dwelling units and private balconies:

    • For residential projects that do not prohibit smoking, each dwelling unit where smoking will be permitted must meet the following compartmentalization requirements:

o Perform a blower door test of residential dwelling units, following the procedures in

ANSI/RESNET/ICC 380 or equivalent. For each unit tested, demonstrate a maximum leakage of enclosure area that is no more than 1.5 times the thresholds identified in Table 1 (“enclosure area” refers to all surfaces enclosing the dwelling unit, including exterior and party walls, floors, and ceilings). Demonstrate a weighted average leakage of enclosure area for the building, including dwelling units, that complies with the caps in the limits identified in Table 1.

Table 1. Caps on air leakage rates

Building
conditioned floor
area (CFA)
Pressure test
conditions across the
building envelope
Maximum air leakageCol4
Building
conditioned floor
area (CFA)
Pressure test
conditions across the
building envelope
New constructionMajor renovation
≥ 5,000 sq. ft.
(465 sq. m.)
At pressure difference of
50 Pascals (0.2 in H2O)
0.13 cfm/sq. ft.
(0.65 L/s*sq. m.)
0.20 cfm/sq. ft.
(1.0 L/s*sq. m.)
≥ 5,000 sq. ft.
(465 sq. m.)
At pressure difference of
75 Pascals (0.3 in H2O)
0.18 cfm/sq. ft.
(0.90 L/s*sq. m.)
0.27 cfm/sq. ft.
(1.35 L/s*sq. m.)
< 5,000 sq. ft.
(465 sq. m.)
At 50 Pascals
(0.2 in H2O)
1 ACH1.5 ACH
At 75 Pascals (0.3 in
H2O)
1.35 ACH2 ACH
REQUIREMENTS EXPLAINED

Establishing smoke-free and idle free policies may minimize exposure to tobacco smoke, smoke from tobacco substitutes and cannabis, and vehicle emissions.

This prerequisite requires the project to prohibit smoking inside the building and its immediate vicinity, restrict smoking on site, and prevent vehicle idling.

Prohibit Smoking

Smoke-free policies effectively reduce tobacco use, protect people from secondhand smoke exposure, prevent tobacco-related illnesses and deaths, and help more people successfully quit smoking.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 473