03. Outdoor Space - Heat Island Mitigation

Implement practices to reduce the heat island effect

Rationale: Implementing practices to reduce the heat island effect, such as installing high albedo pavement and integrating vegetation on roofs, building walls, and across the surrounding area , cools on-site air temperature, which has been shown to reduce heat-related mortality, incidence of heat stroke, and heat-related hospitalization rates, particularly for vulnerable populations.

For the most accurate strategy and documentation requirements, please refer to the digital scorecard made available on the Fitwel Platform.

Requirements

Demonstrate compliance with one of the options below:

Option 1 - Heat Island Mitigation on Outdoor Surface Area and Building Surfaces (Full Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with all of the following requirements:

Multi-Tenant Whole Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Whole Building (with on-site management), Multi-Tenant Base Building, Single Tenant, Commercial Interior

1. Implement a qualifying heat island mitigation practice(s) on the building(s) surfaces including rooftops and exterior walls.

   Qualifying heat island mitigation practices on the building(s) surfaces include but are not limited to the following:
   – green or vegetated roofs 
   – green or vegetated walls
   – roofing materials with an SRI above 39 for steep-sloped roofs and above 82 for low-sloped roofs.
   – use of Energy Star rated cooling systems and air conditioners

   Note that high albedo surfaces are those with an SRI above 39.

    

2. Implement qualifying heat island mitigation practices on a minimum of 51% of the total outdoor surface area on-site, including open spaces, paved infrastructure and outdoor parking areas.

   Qualifying heat island mitigation practices include but are not limited to the following: 
   – non-paved natural or vegetated surfaces on pathways and walkways, such as wood or grass
   – paving materials on pathways, roadways, and parking areas with a minimum initial SR value of 0.33.
   – shading devices over paved areas such surface parking areas, sidewalks, or pedestrian plazas with a minimum aged SR value of 0.28.
   – vegetation shade coverage on paved pathways, roadways, and surface parking areas (for new plants, base shade area on 10-year canopy).
   – green open space, such as parks.

Option 2 - Heat Island Mitigation on Outdoor Surface Area (Partial Credit):

The project may achieve partial credit by demonstrating compliance with the following requirement:

Multi-Tenant Whole Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Whole Building (with on-site management), Multi-Tenant Base Building, Single Tenant, Commercial Interior

1. Implement qualifying heat island mitigation practices on a minimum of 51% of the total outdoor surface area on-site, including open spaces, paved infrastructure, and outdoor parking areas.

   Qualifying heat island mitigation practices include but are not limited to the following: 
   – non-paved natural or vegetated surfaces on pathways and walkways, such as wood or grass
   – paving materials on pathways, roadways, and parking areas with a minimum initial SR value of 0.33.
   – shading devices over paved areas such surface parking areas, sidewalks, or pedestrian plazas with a minimum aged SR value of 0.28.
   – vegetation shade coverage on paved pathways, roadways, and surface parking areas (for new plants, base shade area on 10-year canopy).
   – green open space, such as parks.

Option 3 - Heat Island Mitigation on Pedestrian Areas and Building Surfaces (Full Credit):

The project may achieve partial credit by demonstrating compliance with the following requirement:

Multi-Tenant Whole Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Whole Building (with on-site management), Multi-Tenant Base Building, Single Tenant, Commercial Interior

1. Implement a qualifying heat island mitigation practice(s) on the building(s) surfaces including rooftops and exterior walls.

   Qualifying heat island mitigation practices on the building(s) surfaces include but are not limited to the following:
   – green or vegetated roofs 
   – green or vegetated walls
   – roofing materials with an SRI above 39 for steep-sloped roofs and above 82 for low-sloped roofs.
   – use of Energy Star rated cooling systems and air conditioners
    

2. Ensure 51% of the total surface area of all outdoor pedestrian pathways and building entrances within the project are shaded.

   Pedestrian pathways include all outdoor pedestrian facilities, such as outdoor walkways, sidewalks, trails, and paths.

    

3. Provide shading for a minimum of 25% of the total surface area of all other outdoor pedestrian areas within the project, including the following:
   – outdoor open spaces, parks, and gardens
   – rooftop patios or amenities accessible to residents
   – plazas and outdoor seating areas
   – outdoor recreation areas, such as sports fields, courts or exercise areas.

   Qualifying shading includes tree canopies, awnings, or other shading devices. For new plants, base shade area on 10-year canopy.

Option 4 - Heat Island Mitigation on Pedestrian Areas (Partial Credit):

The project may achieve partial credit by demonstrating compliance with the following requirement:

Multi-Tenant Whole Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Whole Building (with on-site management), Multi-Tenant Base Building, Single Tenant, Commercial Interior

1. Ensure 51% of the total surface area of all outdoor pedestrian pathways and building entrances within the project are shaded.

   Pedestrian pathways include all outdoor pedestrian facilities, such as outdoor walkways, sidewalks, trails, and paths.

    

2. Provide shading for a minimum of 25% of the total surface area of all other outdoor pedestrian areas within the project, including the following:
   – outdoor open spaces, parks, and gardens
   – rooftop patios or amenities accessible to residents
   – plazas and outdoor seating areas
   – outdoor recreation areas, such as sports fields, courts or exercise areas.

   Qualifying shading includes tree canopies, awnings, or other shading devices. For new plants, base shade area on 10-year canopy.

Compliance Documentation

Design Pathway

Option 1 (Multi-Tenant Whole Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Whole Building (with on-site management, Multi-Tenant Base Building, Single Tenant, Commercial Interior):

• Requirement 1
  • Upload a description of each qualifying heat island mitigation practice(s) that will be implemented on the building(s) surfaces
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) identifying the building(s) where heat island mitigation practices will be implemented
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying heat island mitigation practice that will be implemented
• Requirement 2
  • Upload a description of each qualifying heat island mitigation practice(s) that will be implemented within the outdoor surface areas, including open spaces, paved infrastructure, and outdoor parking areas
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) identifying where heat island mitigation practices will be implemented
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying heat island mitigation practice that will be implemented
  • Text box to input the total outdoor surface area where heat island mitigation practices will be implemented
  • Text box to input the total surface area of all outdoor areas, open space, and paved infrastructure included on-site

Option 2 (Multi-Tenant Whole Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Whole Building (with on-site management, Multi-Tenant Base Building, Single Tenant, Commercial Interior):

• Requirement 1
  • Upload a description of each qualifying heat island mitigation practice(s) that will be implemented within the outdoor surface areas, including open spaces and paved infrastructure on-site.
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) identifying where heat island mitigation practices will be implemented.
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying heat island mitigation practice that will be implemented.
  • Text box to input the total outdoor surface area where heat island mitigation practices will be implemented
  • Text box to input the total surface area of all outdoor areas, open space, and paved infrastructure that will be included on-site

Option 3 (Multi-Tenant Whole Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Whole Building (with on-site management, Multi-Tenant Base Building, Single Tenant, Commercial Interior):

• Requirement 1
  • Upload a description of each qualifying heat island mitigation practice(s) that will be implemented on the building(s) surfaces.
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) identifying the building(s) where heat island mitigation practices will be implemented.
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying heat island mitigation practice that will be implemented.
• Requirement 2
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) detailing the following:
    – all outdoor pedestrian pathways and building entrances within the project
    – all areas where shading will be provided for the required pedestrian pathways and building entrances.
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying shading type that will be provided.
  • Text box to input the total surface area of outdoor pedestrian pathways and building entrances that will be shaded
  • Text box to input the total surface area of all outdoor pedestrian pathways and building entrances that will be included within the project
• Requirement 3
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) detailing the following:
    – all other outdoor pedestrian areas within the project
    – all areas where shading will be provided for the required outdoor pedestrian areas.
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying shading type that will be implemented.
  • Text box to input the total outdoor pedestrian surface area that will be shaded
  • Text box to input the total surface area of all other outdoor pedestrian areas within the project

Option 4 (Multi-Tenant Whole Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Whole Building (with on-site management, Multi-Tenant Base Building, Single Tenant, Commercial Interior):

• Requirement 1
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) detailing the following:
    – all outdoor pedestrian pathways and building entrances within the project
    – all areas where shading will be provided for the required pedestrian pathways and building entrances.
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying shading type that will be provided.
  • Text box to input the total surface area of all outdoor pedestrian pathways and building entrances that will be included within the project
  • Text box to input the total surface area of outdoor pedestrian pathways and building entrances that will be shaded
• Requirement 2
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) detailing the following:
    – all other outdoor pedestrian areas within the project
    – all areas where shading will be provided for the required outdoor pedestrian areas.
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying shading type that will be implemented.
  • Text box to input the total outdoor pedestrian surface area that will be shaded
  • Text box to input the total surface area of all other outdoor pedestrian areas within the project

Built Pathway

Option 1 (Multi-Tenant Whole Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Whole Building (with on-site management, Multi-Tenant Base Building, Single Tenant, Commercial Interior):

• Requirement 1
  • Upload a description of each qualifying heat island mitigation practice(s) that is implemented on the building(s) surfaces
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) identifying the building(s) where heat island mitigation practices are implemented
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying heat island mitigation practice that are implemented
• Requirement 2
  • Upload a description of each qualifying heat island mitigation practice(s) that is implemented within the outdoor surface areas, including open spaces, paved infrastructure, and outdoor parking areas
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) identifying where heat island mitigation practices are implemented
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying heat island mitigation practice that are implemented
  • Text box to input the total outdoor surface area where heat island mitigation practices are implemented
  • Text box to input the total surface area of all outdoor areas, open space, and paved infrastructure included on-site

Option 2 (Multi-Tenant Whole Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Whole Building (with on-site management, Multi-Tenant Base Building, Single Tenant, Commercial Interior):

• Requirement 1
  • Upload a description of each qualifying heat island mitigation practice(s) that is implemented within the outdoor surface areas, including open spaces and paved infrastructure on-site.
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) identifying where heat island mitigation practices are implemented.
  • Upload annotated photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying heat island mitigation practice that are implemented.
  • Text box to input the total outdoor surface area where heat island mitigation practices are implemented
  • Text box to input the total surface area of all outdoor areas, open space, and paved infrastructure that included on-site

Option 3 (Multi-Tenant Whole Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Whole Building (with on-site management, Multi-Tenant Base Building, Single Tenant, Commercial Interior):

• Requirement 1
  • Upload a description of each qualifying heat island mitigation practice(s) that is implemented on the building(s) surfaces.
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) identifying the building(s) where heat island mitigation practices are implemented.
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying heat island mitigation practice.
• Requirement 2
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) detailing the following:
    – all outdoor pedestrian pathways and building entrances within the project
    – all areas where shading is provided for the required pedestrian pathways and building entrances.
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying shading type provided.
  • Text box to input the total surface area of outdoor pedestrian pathways and building entrances that is shaded
  • Text box to input the total surface area of all outdoor pedestrian pathways and building entrances within the project
• Requirement 3
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) detailing the following:
    – all other outdoor pedestrian areas within the project
    – all areas where shading is provided for the required outdoor pedestrian areas.
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying shading type provided.
  • Text box to input the total outdoor pedestrian surface area that is shaded
  • Text box to input the total surface area of all outdoor pedestrian pathways, outdoor walkways, and building entrances within the project

Option 4 (Multi-Tenant Whole Building (no on-site management), Multi-Tenant Whole Building (with on-site management, Multi-Tenant Base Building, Single Tenant, Commercial Interior):

• Requirement 1
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) detailing the following:
    – all outdoor pedestrian pathways and building entrances within the project
    – all areas where shading is provided for the required pedestrian pathways and building entrances.
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying shading type provided.
  • Text box to input the total surface area of all outdoor pedestrian pathways and building entrances within the project
  • Text box to input the total surface area of outdoor pedestrian pathways and building entrances that is shaded
• Requirement 2
  • Upload an annotated site plan(s) or map(s) detailing the following:
    – all other outdoor pedestrian areas within the project
    – all areas where shading is provided for the required outdoor pedestrian areas.
  • Upload an annotated photograph(s) showing each unique qualifying shading type provided.
  • Text box to input the total outdoor pedestrian surface area that is shaded
  • Text box to input the total outdoor pedestrian surface area within the project