INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) refers to the

quality of a buildings environment in relation to the
health and wellbeing of those who occupy space within
it. IEQ is determined by many factors, including
lighting, air quality, and damp conditions. Workers are
often concerned that they have symptoms or health
conditions from exposures to contaminants in the
buildings where they work. One reason for this concern
is that their symptoms often get better when they are not
in the building. While research has shown that some
respiratory symptoms and illnesses can be associated
with damp buildings, it is still unclear what
measurements of indoor contaminants show that workers are at risk for disease. In most instances where a
worker and his or her physician suspect that the building environment is causing a specific health
condition, the information available from medical tests and tests of the environment is not sufficient to
establish which contaminants are responsible. Despite uncertainty about what to measure and how to
interpret what is measured, research shows that building-related symptoms are associated with building
characteristics, including dampness, cleanliness, and ventilation characteristics.

MINIMUM AIR QUALITY PERFORMANCE

Intent
To contribute to the comfort and well-being of building occupants by establishing minimum standards for
indoor air quality (IAQ).
Requirements
Meet the requirements for both ventilation and monitoring.
Ventilation
Mechanically ventilated spaces
Option 1. ASHRAE Standard 62.12010
For mechanically ventilated spaces (and for mixed-mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is
activated), determine the minimum outdoor air intake flow for mechanical ventilation systems using the
ventilation rate procedure from ASHRAE 62.12010 or a local equivalent, whichever is more stringent.
Meet the minimum requirements of ASHRAE Standard 62.12010, Sections 47, Ventilation for
Acceptable Indoor Air Quality (with errata), or a local equivalent, whichever is more stringent.
Option 2. CEN Standards EN 152512007 and EN 137792007

Projects outside the U.S. may instead meet the minimum outdoor air requirements of Annex B of Comit
Europen de Normalisation (CEN) Standard EN 152512007, Indoor environmental input parameters for
design and assessment of energy performance of buildings addressing indoor air quality, thermal
environment, lighting and acoustics; and meet the requirements of CEN Standard EN 137792007,
Ventilation for nonresidential buildings, Performance requirements for ventilation and room conditioning
systems, excluding Section 7.3, Thermal environment; 7.6, Acoustic environment; A.16; and A.17.
Naturally ventilated spaces
For naturally ventilated spaces (and for mixed-mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is
inactivated), determine the minimum outdoor air opening and space configuration requirements using the
natural ventilation procedure from ASHRAE Standard 62.12010 or a local equivalent, whichever is
more stringent. Confirm that natural ventilation is an effective strategy for the project by following the
flow diagram in the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Applications Manual
AM10, March 2005, Natural Ventilation in Nondomestic Buildings, Figure 2.8, and meet the
requirements of ASHRAE Standard 62.12010, Section 4, or a local equivalent, whichever is more
stringent. [Europe ACP: Arbeitsstaettenrichtlinie ASR 5][Latin America ACP: Engineered Natural
Ventilation Systems]
All spaces
The indoor air quality procedure defined in ASHRAE Standard 62.12010 may not be used to comply
with this prerequisite.
Monitoring
Mechanically ventilated spaces
For mechanically ventilated spaces (and for mixed-mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is
activated), monitor outdoor air intake flow as follows:

For variable air volume systems, provide a direct outdoor airflow measurement device capable of
measuring the minimum outdoor air intake flow. This device must measure the minimum outdoor
air intake flow with an accuracy of +/10% of the design minimum outdoor airflow rate, as
defined by the ventilation requirements above. An alarm must indicate when the outdoor airflow
value varies by 15% or more from the outdoor airflow setpoint.

For constant-volume systems, balance outdoor airflow to the design minimum outdoor airflow
rate defined by ASHRAE Standard 62.12010 (with errata), or higher. Install a current transducer
on the supply fan, an airflow switch, or similar monitoring device.

Naturally ventilated spaces

For naturally ventilated spaces (and for mixed-mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is
inactivated), comply with at least one of the following strategies.

Provide a direct exhaust airflow measurement device capable of measuring the exhaust airflow.
This device must measure the exhaust airflow with an accuracy of +/10% of the design
minimum exhaust airflow rate. An alarm must indicate when airflow values vary by 15% or more
from the exhaust airflow setpoint.

Provide automatic indication devices on all natural ventilation openings intended to meet the
minimum opening requirements. An alarm must indicate when any one of the openings is closed
during occupied hours.

Monitor carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations within each thermal zone. CO2 monitors must be
between 3 and 6 feet (900 and 1 800 millimeters) above the floor and within the thermal zone.
CO2 monitors must have an audible or visual indicator or alert the building automation system if
the sensed CO2 concentration exceeds the setpoint by more than 10%. Calculate appropriate CO2
setpoints using the methods in ASHRAE 62.12010, Appendix C.

Residential only
In addition to the requirements above, if the project building contains residential units, each dwelling unit
must meet all of the following requirements.

Unvented combustion appliances (e.g., decorative logs) are not allowed.

Carbon monoxide monitors must be installed on each floor of each unit.

All indoor fireplaces and woodstoves must have solid glass enclosures or doors that seal when
closed.

Any indoor fireplaces and woodstoves that are not closed combustion or power-vented must pass
a backdraft potential test to ensure that depressurization of the combustion appliance zone is less
than 5 Pa.

Space- and water-heating equipment that involves combustion must be designed and installed
with closed combustion (i.e., sealed supply air and exhaust ducting) or with power-vented
exhaust, or located in a detached utility building or open-air facility.

For projects in high-risk areas for radon, EPA Radon Zone 1 (or local equivalent for project
outside the U.S.), design and construct any dwelling unit on levels one through four above grade
with radon-resistant construction techniques. Follow the techniques prescribed in EPA Building
Radon Out; NFPA 5000, Chapter 49; International Residential Code, Appendix F; CABO,
Appendix F; ASTM E1465; or a local equivalent, whichever is most stringent [Canada ACP].

Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)

Canada ACP - Radon
Cities in Canada that have been proven to have an average radon concentration of 4 pCi/L (150 Bq/m3) or
less through testing in accordance with the Health Canada Guide for Radon Measurements in
Dwellings (with a minimum of 50 tests) are considered equivalent to EPA Radon Zone 2, and therefore
are exempted from the radon requirements of this prerequisite.
Europe ACP: Arbeitsstaettenrichtlinie ASR 5
Projects in Europe may use Arbeitsstaettenrichtlinie ASR 5 as a local equivalent to ASHRAE Standard
62.1-2010, natural ventilation procedure.
Latin America ACP: Engineered Natural Ventilation Systems

Projects in Latin America may follow the Verification Protocol for Engineered Natural Ventilation
Systems in Equitorial Climates and receive a design review and approval from the Colombian
Professional Association of Air-conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration (ACAIRE).

ENVIRONMENTAL TOBACCO SMOKE (ETS) CONTROL

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) refers to exposure to tobacco smoke - not from your
smoking, but from being exposed to someone else's cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoke. ETS can also be
described as the material in indoor air that originates from tobacco smoke. Breathing in ETS is known as
passive smoking, second-hand smoke, or involuntary smoking.
Intent
To prevent or minimize exposure of building occupants, indoor surfaces, and ventilation air
distribution systems to environmental tobacco smoke.
Requirements
Prohibit smoking inside the building.
Prohibit smoking outside the building except in designated smoking areas located at least 25 feet
(7.5 meters) from all entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows. Also prohibit smoking outside
the property line in spaces used for business purposes.

If the requirement to prohibit smoking within 25 feet (7.5 meters) cannot be implemented because
of code, provide documentation of these regulations.
Signage must be posted within 10 feet (3 meters) of all building entrances indicating the nosmoking policy.
Residential only
Option 1. No Smoking
Meet the requirements above.
OR
Option 2. Compartmentalization of Smoking Areas
Prohibit smoking inside all common areas of the building. The prohibition must be communicated in
building rental or lease agreements or condo or coop association covenants and restrictions. Make
provisions for enforcement.
Prohibit smoking outside the building except in designated smoking areas located at least 25 feet (7.5
meters) from all entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable windows. The no-smoking policy also applies
to spaces outside the property line used for business purposes.
If the requirement to prohibit smoking within 25 feet (7.5 meters) cannot be implemented because of
code, provide documentation of these regulations.
Signage must be posted within 10 feet (3 meters) of all building entrances indicating the no-smoking
policy.
Each unit must be compartmentalized to prevent excessive leakage between units:

Weather-strip all exterior doors and operable windows in the residential units to minimize
leakage from outdoors.

Weather-strip all doors leading from residential units into common hallways.

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.

Demonstrate a maximum leakage of 0.23 cubic feet per minute per square foot (1.17 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).

OUTDOOR AIR DELIVERY MONITORING

Outdoor air monitoring ensures that the ventilation system,

whether natural or mechanical, provides enough fresh air to
occupants. The credit requires carbon dioxide and outdoor
airflow monitors that signal when fresh air is needed
according to minimum set points defined by ASHRAE 62. 12004.
Typical ventilation design (without monitors) tend to
encourage increased ventilation that may result in increased
energy use and added cost for conditioning increased
amounts of outside air.
However, the addition of sensors and monitors allows
ventilation to be delivered on demand only when required,
potentially saving a lot of energy during unoccupied hours in
spaces with varying occupancy. For buildings with varying
occupancy rates and centralized mechanical systems, like
offices and schools, the added cost should be minimal, and
the systems will probably reduce energy bills, offering good return on investment.
High- density areas like conference rooms, theaters ad congregation spaces are a particularly
good match for this credit.
In multifamily or hotel projects, or any building with numerous isolated mechanical systems or
natural ventilation, more sensors will be needed, making this credit relatively expensive to
pursue.

References:
http://www.slideshare.net/SumitJha52/indoor-air-quality-59013403