2.1.5. ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004
ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 (ASHRAE) provides power limits for both the
interior and exterior lighting of a building, along with mandatory controls requirements and
some lighting source efficacy limits. Only interior lighting issues are discussed in this
report.
Standard 90.1 provides lighting power density (LPD) limits in two ways. One performance
path (called the "Building Area Method") is to comply with an LPD that applies to an entire
building, such that average LPDs for the entire building do not exceed this number. For
courthouses, the LPD limit is 1.2 watts per square foot.
Another performance path (called the "Space-by-Space" method) is to develop an "energy
budget" by applying a room-specific power density for each room in the courthouse
building. The LPD number for courtrooms is 1.9 watts per square foot. A variety of LPDs
would apply to other areas of the courthouse. For example, the LPD number for offices is
1.1, while restrooms are 0.9, and corridors are 0.5. The room-specific power densities
would be calculated for each space resulting in a power allowance for the entire building,
which is likely to be different from the allowance specified under the whole building
method of compliance.
The Space-by-Space method accommodates the particulars of an actual building, which
would be advantageous for courthouses that have a higher density of courtrooms than is
typical.
Mandatory automatic lighting controls are required. This means that the lighting controls
system in the courtroom must be capable of automatically turning off the lights when the
room is not in use.
2.1.6. Federal Energy Code
The current applicable rule for Federal commercial buildings (including courthouses) is
entitled "10 CFR Part 434, Energy Code for New Federal Commercial and Multi-Family
High Rise Residential Buildings." The final rule was published on October 6, 2000 and the
regulation became effective on October 8, 2001. The current Federal code is effectively
superseded by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
2.2 Design, Procurement and Construction
Information about the design, procurement and construction process was gathered. Written
guidance on these topics is excellent, but practical application of the guidance cannot be reliably
determined.
2.2.1. GSA Design Excellence Policies and Procedures
The GSA is deeply committed to architectural excellence, as evidenced by the Design
Excellence program (GSA Design Excellence), which has been in place since 1994. This
program provides explicit guidance about procurement for government design projects
including courthouses, and establishes very high standards for professional expertise. The
focus is primarily on architectural services and the program is mostly silent on the topic of
March 2006
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