Intent:
- Reduce IAQ problems associated with Construction/Renovation process
- Help to sustain comfort and well-being of construction workers and building occupants
Implementation:
- Develop and implement an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plan for pre-occupancy phase
Option 1: FLUSH-OUT
- after construction but before occupancy
- 14,000 cf of O/A (outside air) per sf of floor area
- maintain 60 degrees
- < 60% relative humidity
OR
- if occupancy occur prior to flush out
- delivery of 3500 cf O/A (outside air) per sf of floor area
- ventilate at .30 cfm/sf.
- minimum 3 hours per date until 14,000 cf/sf of O/A is delivered
- USE MERV 13 filters for HVAC
Option 2: Air Quality Testing
- conduct an IAQ baseline test after construction, prior to occupancy
- use EPA Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Air Pollutants in Indoor Air.
Code:
- EPA Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Air Pollutants in Indoor Air
Submittal Phase:
- construction
Indoor Environmental Air Quality
- EQ P1 – Minimum IAQ Performance (prerequisite)
- EQ P2 – Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control (prerequisite)
- EQ 1 – Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring
- EQ 2 – Increased Ventilation
- EQ 3.1 – Construction IAQ Management Plan, During Construction
- EQ 3.2 – Construction IAQ Management Plan, Before Occupancy
- EQ 4.1 – Low-Emitting Materials, Adhesives & Sealants
- EQ 4.2 – Low-Emitting Materials, Paint & Coatings
- EQ 4.3 – Low-Emitting Materials, Carpet Systems
- EQ 4.4 – Low-Emitting Materials, Composite Wood & Agrifiber Products
- EQ 5 – Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control
- EQ 6.1 – Controllability of Systems, Lighting
- EQ 6.2 – Controllability of Systems, Thermal Comfort
- EQ 7.1 – Thermal Comfort, Design
- EQ 7.2 – Thermal Comfort, Verification
- EQ 8.1 -Daylight & Views, Daylight 75% of Spaces
- EQ 8.2 – Daylight & Views, Views for 90% of Spaces
20 Comments On This Post
On option 2 with occupancy rate should be 3500 CF of air per sf priot to occupancy. Per LEED NC 2.2
Thanks Brian, nice catch here.
MERV 8 filters installed prior to flush-out will satisfy this credit, EQc3.2 as well as EQc3.1.
If the project is pursuing EQc5: Indoor Source Control, MERV 13 filters should be installed.
The distinction between when to use MERV 8 versus MERV 13 was addressed on least two of my exam questions. The information in the previous post is correct, except it should say
…EQc5, MERV 13 (or better) MUST be installed.
I am working as the LEED Manager for a construction company that is using specs written with v2.1 to certify a building under v2.2. Yeah, its not too fun.
Does anyone know how long a typical building flush-out takes for a 20,000 sf building under v2.2? Our specs are calling for a 2-week flush-out, and I’m afraid that the 14,000 cf of O/A per sf of floor area in v2.2 will take longer than 2 weeks, although we haven’t ran the calcs yet.
Any advice? Please?
“During each day of the flush-out
period, ventilation shall begin a minimum of three hours prior to occupancy and
continue during occupancy.”
It’ not equal to 3 hours per day
What activities can occur during a flush out?
During flush out…
NO CLEANING
NO PUNCH LIST
COMMISSIONING OK IF NO ADDITIONAL CONTAMINANTS ARE INTRODUCED INTO THE BUILDING
MERV 13 is added to existing HVAC system “post construction”
Does that mean that it has to be added for 3.2 or it has to be added only if MR 5 is carried out?
Reenu,
A MERV 13 filter only needs to be used IF the building is pursuing EQ5. If the proejct does not need/want EQ 5, any filter that meets the design specs will work.
Is this IAQ Management Plan part of/a supplement to/the same as the one mentioned in 3.1, or is it an entirely separate document?
TwinsMommy – I was wondering the same thing about the IAQ plan. I could not find any clarification in the ref guide. My guess would be that yes it is the same plan but that the plan has two distinct parts, during construction & before occupancy.
Regarding the discussion of MERV 8 vs. 13:
3.1 MERV 8 req’d
from ref “note that the req’t for MERV 13 filters has been MOVED to c5. This credit does NOT regulate the efficiency of filters used in the operation of the bldg”
3.2 MERV 8 req’d OR MERV 13 (if pursuing c5)
BUT for Option 1 ONLY as far as I can see, not option 2 (IAQ) as this study guide shows? Am I correct on this?
PAT any input?
Sophia
yes you have to replace the filter prior iaq testing as noted in page 333 of v2.2
“projects should replace media at this point. Finally complete the air test and balancing of the HVAC systems before begining the baseline IAQ testing”
Hope this helps
Hello,
I am not able to get through with building flush out.
Pre-occupied flush-out: 14000cfm OA per sq.ft. If building area is too large then flush-out time will remain same or it will change? How to decide how much time my building (1Lack sq.Ft.) will take for flush-out?
Occupied flush-out: How to decide the flush-out time for 3500cfm OA per sq.ft until total of 14000cfm OA per sq.ft delivered.
It says minimum 3500cfm OA per sq.ft. will it be possible to deliver higher cfm than 3500.
How to manage the ventilation rate of 0.30cfm/sq.ft for occupied flush-out.
When i should believe the flush-out is completed for a building for both options.
hi! I passed the exam, Pat, thanks a lot for such a great web site.
Lots of questions about leed administrative process, more than expected…
Thanks Pat!
Hi Pat, I passed my exam for LEED CI on June30th. I have to thank you and this great website that got me started and kept me going.
Hi Pat- I passed my exam as well. Thank you SOOO MUCH for this incredible site 🙂
-Ali
“During flush out…
NO CLEANING
NO PUNCH LIST
COMMISSIONING OK IF NO ADDITIONAL CONTAMINANTS ARE INTRODUCED INTO THE BUILDING”
I changed my answer last minute to Commisioning.
Took the 6PM test on June 30th and passed with a 179. May be one of the last to earn LEED NC v2.2. Thanks for all the info Pat. You’ve done a great job. Your hiatus is well deserved!
Hi Pat
IEQ 3.2 Option 2: Before Occupancy – Air Quality testing
For IAQ testing if EPA is not known in India, can we follow NIOSH/ OSHA procedures. (for LEED CI)
Kumar