Query
The retail area has an atrium (excluded from FAR) which will be covered with temporary tensile fabric roof and is approximately 10% of the total roof area.
Can the requirement for SRR be exempted for non-FAR areas such as Atriums?
Solution
The SRR threshold (SRR not more than 5% of the total roof area) is mandatory in GRIHA rating version 3.1 and in GRIHA Version 2015 (Alternative 01, Criterion 11). So if the project is going forward with Version 3.1, then it’s mandatory to meet 5% SRR. In GRIHA Version 2015, you have the flexibility of choosing Alternative 02 in Criterion 11 to demonstrate compliance, which does not ask for specific WWR or SRR.
However, if an opaque fabric material is being used to cover the skylight then that particular area will not be considered as a "skylight" and the mentioned project will meet the GRIHA requirements.
Please note that if any transparent or translucent material is used to cover the skylight, then that will be included in the skylight area only and the mentioned project will not meet GRIHA mandatory requirements.