855773667-LEED-v5-O-M-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition-1 - Page 226
Extracted Content
Option 2. Compartmentalization of Residential Units
Meet the requirements above for common areas.
If smoking is not prohibited in the dwelling units and on private balconies, each unit must be compartmentalized to prevent excessive leakage between units:
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Weather-strip all exterior doors and operable windows in the residential units to minimize leakage from outdoors.
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Weather-strip all doors leading from residential units into common hallways.
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Minimize uncontrolled pathways for the transfer of smoke and other indoor air pollutants between residential units by sealing penetrations in the walls, ceilings, and floors and by sealing vertical chases (including utility chases, garbage chutes, mail drops, and elevator shafts) adjacent to the units.
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Demonstrate a maximum leakage of 0.50 cubic feet per minute per square foot (2.54 liters per second per square meter) at 50 Pa of enclosure (i.e., all surfaces enclosing the apartment, including exterior and party walls, floors, and ceilings) or establish a baseline and demonstrate a 30% improvement in leakage for each unit.
REQUIREMENTS EXPLAINED
This prerequisite requires the project to prohibit smoking inside the building and restrict smoking on site. There are separate requirements for schools and residential projects.
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. [103]
Smoking is prohibited for conventional cigarettes (cigarettes, cigars, pipes), cannabis (medical or recreational), and electronic smoking devices (e-cigarettes). The intent is to keep the air inside the building free from pollutants and contaminants associated with smoking.
Indoor Smoking
Smoking must be strictly prohibited inside the building at all times. Evidence of this prohibition can be obtained via a policy from the owner or facility manager or smoke-free indoor air law. Smoking is strictly prohibited inside the building, and smoking rooms do not meet the requirements of this prerequisite.
104 The Community Guide, “Tobacco Use: Smoke-free Policies,” November 2012, thecommunityguide.org/findings/tobacco-usesmoke-free-policies.html.
U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Operations and Maintenance, April 2025 Launch Edition 216