DRAFT - DO NOT CITE OR QUOTE GUIDANCE FOR OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS VOLUME I: PREVENTING INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS October 1990 Public Review Draft NOTICE THIS DOCUMENT IS A PRELIMINARY DRAFT. IT HAS NOT BEEN FORMALLY RELEASED BY THE U. S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY OR THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH. IT SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED TO REPRESENT AGENCY POLICY. IT IS BEING CIRCULATED FOR COMMENT ON ITS TECHNICAL AND POLICY CONTENT. Indoor Air Division Office of Atmospheric and Indoor Air Programs Office of Air and Radiation U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Centers for Disease Control U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ------- [ 4DI (WCI I Pursuant to requirements in the 1986 Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Report to Congress on indoor Air Quality in 1989. This report contained a series of six recommendations regarding the appropriate Federal role in indoor air quality. The first three of those recommendations called for expanded research to increase our understanding of the causes and remedies for indoor air quality problems; the second three called for developing non-regulatory guidance, technical assistance, and information dissemination programs regarding methods to correct and prevent those problems. Much of the focus of EPA’s Indoor Air Program is currently being devoted to the development of a series of guidance documents on building construction and operation practices. This volume, Preventing Indoor Air Quality Problems: Guidance for Building Managers and Owners (Volume I) and its companion document, Solving Indoor Air Quality Problems: Guidance for Building Managers and Owners (Volume II), are part of this series. Since 1971, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has conducted several hundred indoor air quality (IAQ) investigations in office buildings under the authority of the Health Hazard Evaluation Program. Over time, NIOSH has developed a “solution-oriented” approach to conducting these investigations, which are triggered by reported health complaints or illness and, in 1987, NIOSH published guidance on conducting indoor air quality investigations. These two guidance documents for building owners and managers draw extensively on NIOSH’s experience in investigating and correcting indoor air quality problems in non-residential buildings. Much of the literature on indoor air quality in public and commercial buildings has been in technical publications and proceedings and has been aimed at the person who is doing investigations on a frequent basis. Little of this information gets to building owners and managers who are the people in the best position to prevent problems in the first place and to solve little indoor air quality problems before they become big problems. In recognition of the need for some practical indoor air quality advice to building owners and managers, EPA and NIOSH decided to work jointly to produce written guidance on preventing, identifying, and correcting indoor air quality problems. Early in 1990, EPA and NIOSH convened a meeting of their own technical staff, several professional building investigators, and some building managers to discuss the scope and content of document that would offer guidance on the emerging issue of indoor air quality to people with day-to-day responsibility for managing public and commercial buildings. This two-volume set is the result of continuing consultations among the people at that initial meeting and extensive review by EPA and NIOSH staff and indoor air quality authorities outside the agencies. ------- The guidance presented here is based on what is known and generally accepted at this time in the relevant fields of building science and indoor air quality. EPA and NIOSH anticipate that this document may later be supplanted by more detailed guidance as research continues and our knowledge grows. A resource chapter is included in this document to give building owners and managers thoughts on where to go for more information now and in the future. DRAFT ------- CT( TO F UILLiNG CWNEI S A L MANA43U S This document provides guidance about preventing indoor air quality problems in buildings where there are no current lAO complaints. Operating a commercial or public building is a complex process which leaves you little time for unnecessary activities. Why should money and energy be expended on indoor air quality in buildings which have no apparent problem? A high-quatity indoor environment enhances occupant health and productivity. Building owners and managers who recognize this fact can improve their marketability by earning a reputation for excellent indoor air quality management. Tenants in such buildings are likely to want to remain, as pleasant, comfortable working conditions improve employee productivity. On the other hand, maintenance efforts which ignore fAQ can result in accelerated deterioration of furnishings and equipment. The effort of maintaining a healthy indoor environment is generally less costly than the time lost in responding to complaints. Serious lAO problems can have expensive consequences, including negative media attention. Insurance policies tend to exclude pollution- related claims. Finally, adoption of a well-documented preventive maintenance program may be helpful in the event of litigation. Good indoor air quality requires conscientious effort by both building staff and occupants. The commitment to address lAO problems starts with the building owner or manager, the person who has an overview of the organization, sets policy, and assigns staff responsibilities. You have the authority to see that an IAQ policy is articulated and carried out, the ability to identify staff with skills that enable them to react promptly and effectively to complaints, and the incentive to initiate a program that will prevent indoor air problems in the future. As you decide how best to respond to the challenge of maintaining good indoor air quality, it will be helpful to keep in mind the following thoughts: 1. Prevention of indoor air quality problems requires an understanding of the factors that interact to create such problems: the building’s HVAG (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system, pollutant pathways and the forces that control air movement, pollutant sources, and building occupants. 2. It is important to establish a process for talking about the roles that building occupants as well as management play in preventing indoor air quality problems. Particular attention must be given to establishing effective, routine communication with building occupants about lAO issues. 1 L/j ------- 3. Building staff are in a position to notice malfunctioning equipment or accidental events which could produce indoor air quality problems. They can play a critical role in identifying problem situations and averting IAQ crises. However, without an awareness of lAO issues, staff activities could make problems worse instead of solving them. 4. Preventing indoor air quality problems requires development and implementation of an air quality management plan that reflects the ways in which design, operations, and use of your building can affect indoor air quality. While proper operaton and maintenance of the heating, cooling and ventilation (HVAC) system is an important feature of that plan, other important aspects include: staff training, record keeping, and a review of non-HVAC operations such as housekeeping and pest control. Finally, some indoor air contaminants such as radon and asbestos do not produce immediate health effects, but may still need to be addressed. This document was written to be a useful resource for you and your staff in preventing indoor air problems. It provides brief background information, followed by “how-to” guidance. Limited guidance is provided on environmental stressors, which can also result in complaints about air quality. Many checklists and forms are included to assist you and your staff in setting up an active lAO management program. As you read this document or turn it over to your staff to implement, EPA and NIOSH urge you to keep a personal involvement in this issue. 11 DRAFT., ------- DISCLAIMER This document was prepared under contract to an agency of the United States Government. Nefther the United States Government nor any of their employees makes any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability for any third party’s use of or the results of such use of any information, product, or process discussed in this document. Mention or illustration of company or trade names, or of commercial products does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword Note to Building Owners and Managers . . Section 1 - How to Use this Document . . . . 1 Section 2 - Factors Affecting Indoor Air Quality . . . 4 Sources of Indoor Air Contaminants 4 HVAC System Design and Operation . . 6 Pollutant Pathways and DrMng Forces 8 Building Occupants 9 Section 3 - Communicating with Building Occupants . 12 Health and Safety Committees . . 12 Lease Provisions . . . 13 Responding to Occupant Complaints . . 14 Section 4 - Developing an IAQ Profile . 16 Sküls Required to Create an lAO Profile 17 Developing an IAQ Profile 19 Collect and Review Existing Records . . 19 Conduct a Walkthrough Inspection of the Building . . . 21 Collect Detailed Information 23 Section 5 - Managing Buildings for Good IAQ . . . . 35 Developing an lAO Management Plan 37 Select an IAQ Manager . . 38 Review Existing Records . 39 Assign Staff Responsibilities . 40 Section 6 - Responding to IAQ Problems . . . 49 DRAF ------- Table of Contents (con t t) Resources 50 Appendix A: Developing Baseline Information - Some Common IAQ Measurements 63 Appendix B: HVAC Systems and Indoor Air Quality 67 Appendix C: Common lAO Pollutants and Indicators 72 Appendix D: Moisture, Mold and Mildew 76 Appendix E: Asbestos 84 Appendix F: Radon 86 Blank Forms ORA 1 ------- Sectkn 1 - l1 w tc Use this L ccument This guide is intended to help you understand and prevent IAQ problems. It provides fundamental information on factors which affect indoor air quality. You can use the guidance to create an lAO profile of your building and develop a management plan that will help to prevent lAO problems. As indoor air quality is an evolving field, building owners, managers, and engineers are urged to keep abreast of new information through professional journals and seminars in addition to relying on the guidance presented in this document. EPA and NIOSH recognize that many factors influence how an individual owner or manager can put the information in this guide to use. Some of the significant differences are the type of ownership and management arrangement, the variety of occupant uses of a given building or complex of buildings, and whether or not functions such as housekeeping, pest control, and maintenance of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment are handled in-house or under contract with outside services. You will know best how to integrate IAQ-related activities into your existing organization and which of your staff have the necessary skills to carry out those activities. This document is designed to guide you in managing your building to prevent indoor air quality problems. If you are currently responding to complaints that may reflect lAO problems, you may want to go directly to the companion volume, SOLVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS. It is not necessary to read the guide cover-to-cover. Rather, it may be more effective to distribute it to staff members and then make assignments according to their responsibilities and your current needs. While specific responsibilities are most appropriately handled by specific personnel (e.g. HVAC checklist by operating engineer), it is likely that lAO will be most successful if building management and operating personnel are encouraged to skim the entire document for an overview of the indoor air quality issue. Using Section 2 - Factors Aftecting Indoor Air Quality: Section 2 provides an overview of the four factors which interact to affect indoor air quality. • indoor and outdoor sources of contamination or discomfort • the building HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system) 1 ------- • pollutant pathways and driving forces • building occupants A basic understanding of these factors is critical to preventing indoor air quality problems. Using Section 3- Communicating with Building Occupants: Effective communications among building management, staff, and tenants allow all parties to participate in maintaining a safe and healthy indoor environment. This section discusses how to enhance communications by using health and safety committees, establishing a system for handling complaints, and reviewing of lease provisions. Using Section 4 - Developing an lAO Profile: Section 4 discusses collecting information on the building design, mechanical system operation, and occupant activities. This information is used to understand current conditions in the building and identify potential indoor air quality problems. Using Section 5 - Developing an lAO Management Plan: Section 5 provides guidance in examining and modifying routine activities within the building (e.g. maintenance, housekeeping, pest control, smoking) to prevent indoor air quality problems. It also suggests IAQ considerations to be factored into plans for new projects (e.g. redecorating, remodelling, or renovation). Using the Resource Section: The resource section is intended for readers who want to pursue more detailed information about indoor air quality. Using the Appendices: The appendices present information that may not be critical to resoMng most indoor air quality problems but could be useful reading for additional background on major lAO topics. Appendix A is an introduction to measurement techniques such as those used in evaluating airf lows and measuring airborne contaminants. It may be particularly helpful to the person who is responsible for developing the lAO profile. Appendix B presents basic information on HVAC systems designs as they affect indoor air quality. The information may be useful to building owners and managers who are not familiar with HVAC concepts. Appendix C describes a few common indoor air pollutants and their sources. Appendix D discusses indoor moisture and its relationship to mold and mildew growth. 2 DRAF7 ------- Appendix E is a brief discussion of asbestos. If asbestos is a concern in your building, the Resource section will direct you to sources of detailed guidance. Appendix F is a brief discussion of radon. If radon is a concern in your building, the Resource section will direct you to sources of detailed guidance. Using the Blank Forms: This section contains a full set of copies of the forms described in Sections 3 and 4. You may need to modify elements of these forms to reflect conditions in your particular building. Please note the following warnings as you prepare to use this manual: • Modification of building functions to remedy air quality complaints may create other prob’ems. A thorough understanding of aH ot the factors that interact to create indoor quality problems can help to avoid this undesirable outcome. • The implementation of recommendations reached as a result of an indoor air quality evaluation should always be done in accordance with local laws and good practice. Changes to the overall design and operation of the building may necessitate the involvement of a registered professional engineer or other registered or certified professionals. 3 DRAFT ------- Section 2 - factors Affecting Indoor Air uaIitv The indoor environment in any building is a result of the interaction between the site, cUmate, building system (original design and later modifications in the structure and mechanical systems), potential contaminant sources (furnishings, moisture sources, processes and activities within the building, and outdoor sources), and building occupants. The following four elements are involved in the development of indoor air quality problems: • there is an indoor or outdoor source of contamination or discomfort • the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system is not able to control air contaminants and ensure thermal comfort • building occupants are present • a pollutant pathway and driving force connect the pollutant source to the occupants It is important to understand the role that each of these factors may play in order to investigate and solve indoor air quality problems. Sources of Indoor fir Contaminants Indoor air contaminants can originate within the building or be drawn in from outdoors. It may be helpful to think of air pollutant sources as fitting into one of the categories listed below. The examples given for each category are not intended to be a complete list. • Sources outside the building • contaminated outside air (sometimes referred to as ambient M air) - pollen, dust - smog • emissions from nearby sources - vehicle exhaust from busy roads, parking garages, loading docks - odors from dumpsters - re-entrained exhaust from the buUding itself or from neighboring buildings - unsanitary debris near the outdoor air intake 4 ------- • soil gas - radon - leakage from underground fuel tanks - contaminants from previous uses of the site (e.g.landfills) • moisture Equipment • HVAC system • dust or dirt in ductwork or other components - microbiologica’ growth at drip pans, humidifiers, ductwork, etc. - improper use of biocides and/or cleaning compounds - improper venting of combustion products • non-HVAC equipment - emissions from office equipment (volatile organic compounds, ozone) - supplies (solvents, toners, ammonia) Human activities • smoking • personal activities - respiration - body odor -cosmetic odors • housekeeping activities - cleaning materials and procedures • emissions from stored supplies or trash - deodorizers • maintenance activities - dust - volatile organic compounds (known as VOCs) from paint, caulk, adhesives - biocides from pest control activities - emissions from stored supplies • Building components and furnishings • dust - fleece factors - fuzzy surfaces such as carpeting, curtains, and other textiles - dust-catching areas such as open shelving - dust and fiber sources such as old or deteriorated furnishings • unsanitary conditions and water damage - microbiological growth on or in soiled or water-damaged furnishings - microbiological growth in areas of surface condensation - dry traps passing sewer gas ORAFTI ------- • chemicals released from building components or furnishings - materials containing asbestos - volatile organic compounds Other sources • accidental events - spills of water, paint, beverages, or other liquids - microbiological growth due to flooding or to leaks from roofs, piping - fire damage (soot, PCBs from electrical equipment, odors) • special use areas and mixed use buildings - smoking lounges - laboratories - print shops, art rooms - exercise rooms - beauty salons - food preparation areas • redecorating/remodelling/repair activities - emissions from new furnishings - dust and fibers from demolition - odors and volatile compounds from paint, caulk, adhesives Indoor air often contains a variety of contaminants at concentrations which are far below any standards or guidelines for occupational exposure. It is possible that the effects of these contaminants may be additive, synergistic (interacting in a way that makes their combined effect stronger than their independent effects) or antagonistic (interacting in a way that tends to cancel out their effects) under some circumstances. These factors often make it difficult to relate complaints of health effects to the concentration of a single specific pollutant. IHJDC Sgstem Design and Operation The HVAC system includes all heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment in a building: furnaces or boilers, chillers, air handling units, exhaust fans, ductwork, steam (or heating water) piping. A properly functioning HVAC system: • provides thermal comfort • distributes adequate outdoor air to all building occupants • isolates or dilutes odors and contaminants to acceptable levels or removes them using exhaust fans Most air handling units distribute a blend of outdoor air and recirculated air (air withdrawn from building spaces). HVAC designs may also include units that bring in 6 DP FT ------- 100% outside air or that simply transfer recirculated air within the building. Uncontrolled quantities of additional outdoor air enter buildings through natural infiltration through openings. Thermal comfort and ventilation needs are met by supplying conditioned air, often in combination with supplemental heat (e.g. radiators) at the building perimeter. Large buildings often have interior spaces in which constant cooling is required (to compensate for heat generated by occupants, equipment, and lighting), white perimeter rooms require either heating or cooling according to outdoor conditions. Two of the most common HVAC designs used in modern public and commercial buildings are constant volume and variable air volume systems. Constant volume systems provide a constant airflow and vary the air temperature to meet heating and cooling needs. The percent of outside air may be held constant, but is often controlled to vary with outside temperature, with a minimum setting that allows the system to meet ventilation guidelines. Variable air volume (VAV) systems condition air to a constant temperature and vary the airflow to ensure thermal comfort. Early VAV systems did not allow control of the outside air quantity. Some more recent designs address this problem through the use of static pressure devices in the outside air stream, and additional features such as economizer control or heat recovery are also found in some buildings. Good quality installation, testing and balancing are critically important to the proper operation of VAV systems. See Appendk I? for further discussion of HVAC system types. The amount of outdoor air considered adequate for proper ventilation has varied over time. The current guideline issued by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers is ASHRAE 62-1989. (A table of outdoor air quantities recommended by ASHRAE is reproduced on pages 42-44. Note that other important aspects of the standard are not included in this table.) Mechanical engineers can design HVAC systems to isolate odors and contaminants by controlling pressure relationships between rooms. This is accomplished by controlling the air quantities that are supplied to and removed from each room. If more air is supplied to a room than is exhausted, the excess air tends to leak out of the space and the room is said to be under positive pressure. If less air is supplied than is exhausted, air tends to leak into the space and the room is said to be under negative pressure. Control of pressure relationships is critically important in mixed use buildings or buildings with special use areas. Bathrooms, kitchens, and smoking lounges are examples of rooms that should be maintained under negative pressure. Lobbies are often intended to operate under positive pressure to prevent thermal discomfort. Computer rooms may be kept under positive pressure to keep out dust. Another technique for controlling odors and contaminants is to dilute them with outdoor air. Some of the recirculated air is exhausted (to compensate for the outdoor 7 ------- air that is being brought in). Additional exhaust fans can be used to isolate and remove contaminants from local areas. Where local exhaust is used, it must function in coordination with the rest of the ventilation system. Air should be exhausted, not recirculated, from locations which produce significant odors and high concentrations of contaminants (such as smoking lounges, custodial closets, copy rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and beauty salons). Under some circumstances, it may be practical to transfer conditioned air from relatively clean parts of a building to comparatively dirty areas and use ft as make-up air for a local exhaust system. Pollutant Pothwogs and Drioluig Forces Airflow patterns in buildings result from the combined action of mechanical ventilation systems and natural forces. All of a building’s components (walls, ceilings, floors, penetrations, HVAC equipment and occupants) interact to control or to distribute contaminants. Pressure differentials move airborne contaminants from areas of relatively higher pressure to areas of relatively lower pressure. This basic principle can produce a variety of patterns of contaminant movement, including: • local circulation in the room containing the pollutant source • air movement into adjacent spaces that are under lower pressurization • recirculation of air within the zone containing the pollutant source or in adjacent zones where return systems overlap • stack effect movement from lower to upper levels of the building • exhaust recycling (re-entrainment of exhausted air back into the building) Air movement between zones and between the building’s interior and exterior is intimately linked to the building structure and the functioning of the HVAC system. Walls, ceilings, and floors divert or obstruct airflow, while openings provide pathways for air movement. Some openings are intentional (doors, windows, ducts); others are accidental (cracks, holes, utility chases). It is useful to think of the entire building - the rooms and the connections (e.g. chases, corridors, stairways) between them - as behaving like part of the duct system. Air must move from supplies through a room to returns, making the room serve the function of channeling the air. Any obstructions or openings in the room can affect the direction and amount of airflow. 8 ------- As described in the previous discussion, the HVAC system is one of the dominant forces controlling air movement in most buildings. Natural forces also exert an important influence. Stack effect is used to describe the pressure driven flow produced by convection (the tendency of warm air to rise) and other factors (such as wind blowing across the top of a chimney). It draws outdoor air into openings at the lower levels of buildings and moves indoor air from lower to upper floors. Stack effect airflow can transport contaminants between floors by way of stairwells, elevator shafts, utility chases, or other openings. The stack effect is strengthened when indoor air is warmer than outdoor air. Wind effects are transient, creating local areas of high pressure (on the windward side) and low pressure (on the leeward side) of buildings. Depending on the leakage openings in the building exterior, wind can affect the pressure elatianships within and between rooms. Both the stack effect and wind can overpower a building’s mechanical system and disrupt air circulation and ventilation. Indoor air contaminants are distributed within the building by pressure differences between rooms and between floors. Air moves from areas of higher pressure to areas of lower pressure through any available openings. Even if adjacent building zones are both under positive pressure relative to the outdoors, one of them is usually at a higher pressure than the other. Similarly, outdoor air contaminants are drawn into buildings by pressure differences between the outdoor air and the building interior. If the building or any zone within it is under negative pressure relative to the outdoors, any intentional or accidental opening will serve as an entry point. For example, a small crack or hole in the floor can admit significant amounts of soil gas, if pressure differentials are large enough. Although the building as a whole may be maintained under positive pressure, there is always some location (e.g. the outdoor air intake) which is under negative pressure relative to the outdoors. Entry of contaminants may be intermittent, occurring only when the wind blows from the direction of the pollutant source. If the pressure differential which brings the pollutant into the building is intermittent or acts upon different portions of the building, the IAQ problem may move from one location to another. Building Occupants The term TM building occupants is generally used in this document to describe people who spend extended time periods (e.g. a full workday) in the building. Clients and visitors are temporary TM occupants TM ; they may have different tolerances and expectations from those who spend their entire work days in the building. 9 ------- Groups which tend to be particularly susceptible to effects of poor IAQ include, but are not limited to: • allergic individuals, including asthmatics • people with chronic respiratory disease • people whose immune systems are suppressed due to chemo- or radiation therapy, disease, or other causes • contact lens wearers • children • senior citizens • pregnant women Sometimes only one individual is sensitive to a particular indoor air contaminant while surrounding occupants have no ill effects. (Symptoms which are limited to a single person can also occur when only one work station receives the bulk of the pollutant dose.) In other cases, complaints may be widespread throughout the building. People often have different responses to the same pollutant. Further, different pollutants may cause similar physical reactions. Respiratory tract irritation can result from exposure to formaldehyde or other volatile organic compounds, dust, excessively dry air, or other influences. Allergic reactions are caused by a wide array of materials. For the purposes of soMng IAQ problems, it is generally more useful to observe the pattern of symptom occurrence than to focus solely on the symptoms of one individual. However, it is worthwhile to collect symptom information in hopes that it will help you to understand the problem. Types of Symptoms and Complaints Health The effects of lAO problems are often non-specific symptoms rather than clearly defined illnesses. Common symptoms include: • headache, fatigue • respiratory function problems • eye, nose and throat irritation • allergies (including asthma) Building-related Illness is a term referring to illness brought on by exposure to the building air, where symptoms of diagnosable illness are identified (e.g. certain 10 DRAFT ------- allergies or infections) and can be directly attributed to airborne building sources. Legionnaire’s disease and hypersensitivity pneumonitis are building-related illnesses that can have life-threatening consequences. The term sick building syndrome or SBS is sometimes used to describe cases in which a significant number of building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that are apparently linked to the time they spend in the building, but in which no specific illness or etiology can be identified. The complaints may be localized in a particular room or zone or may be widespread throughout the building. Many different symptoms have been associated with SBS, including respiratory problems, irritation, and fatigue. Analysis of air samples often fails to detect significant concentrations of any contaminants, so that the problem appears to be caused by the combined effects of many pollutants at tow concentrations, with other environmental stresses (e.g. overcrowding, noise) as complicating factors. A small percentage of the population may be sensitive to a number of chemicals in indoor air, each of which may occur at very low concentrations. This condition, which is known as multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) , is not currently recognized by the medical establishment. Research that has been conducted to date has not been sufficient to determine whether MCS exists, its possible causes, or effective treatments. Further research to address these issues is planned. Comfort Some complaints by building occupants are clearly related to discomfort rather than to health problems. The distinction is not always simple. One of the most common lAO complaints is that “there’s a funny smell in here”. Odors are often associated with a perception of poor air quality, whether or not they cause symptoms. Environmental stresses such as over- or under-heating, humidity extremes, drafts, lack of air circulation, noise, vibration, and overcrowding can produce symptoms that may be confused with the effects of poor air quality. For example, excessive heat can produce fatigue, stuffiness, and headache, while low temperatures can cause chills and Nflu like” symptoms. Further, physical discomfort or psychosocial problems (such as job stress) can reduce tolerance for substandard air quality. 11 .J1 LI —I ------- Secticn 3 - Ccmmunicatina with F uiIdin Occupants Effective communication with building occupants can help to prevent indoor air quality problems. The following objectives should be kept in mind while reviewing and revising your current approach to communicating with occupants: • to provide information about factors that affect indoor air quality • to clarify the responsibilities of each party (e.g. building management, staff, tenants) • to monitor use of the building areas and respond to potential problems (e.g. odor- or contaminant- producing actMties) • to establish a system for responding to complaints Health and Safetg Committees You may already have a health and safety committee functioning to promote good working conditions. If so, it is easy to add indoor air quality to their list of concerns. If you do riot have a health and safety committee, consider establishing one or setting up a joint management-tenant lAO task force. Whatever its official designation, such a group can help to disseminate information about indoor air quality, bring potential problems to the attention of building staff and management, and foster a sense of shared responsibility for maintaining a safe and comfortable indoor environment. The group will be most successful if it represents the diverse interests in the building, including: • building owner • building manager • facibties personnel • health and safety officials • tenants and/or other occupants who are not facilities staff • union representatives 12 LI—’ ------- BREAK FOR SifiEBAR SIDEBAR “QUALITY BUiLDING MANAGEMENT” The State of Wisconsin’s “Quality Building Management” system has helped to unite the diverse interests involved in operating and using state office buildings. Tenants and facilities personnel volunteered to serve on teams, working cooperatively to improve the quality of the indoor environment Each team was assigned a specific area for which it drafted “Ideal Building Standards”. Air quality was one such area; others included elevators, rest rooms, and work spaces. The IAQ teams were trained in conducting research, toured mechanical rooms to achieve a better understanding of building operations, read articles, and listened to presentations on 1AQ, ventilation, and related topics. Their proposed “Ideal Building Standards” were reviewed with other tenants and then used as a basis for Quality Improvement Plans. Some elements of the Quality Improvement Plans identify responsibilities of the tenants, such as adopting good housekeeping practices to improve the work environment and facilitate cleaning. Responsibilities identified as belonging to building management are reflected in work plans and budget decisions. Lease Proulsions Standard lease agreements have generally overlooked indoor air quality. A review of your lease form can reveal ways to preserve good relations and prevent indoor air quality problems by clarifying the responsibilities of tenants and building management: Use of space: Indoor air quality complaints often arise when odor- or contaminant-producing processes share space and ventilation with occupants engaged in other processes. For example, kitchen staff expect food odors as part of their work, but nearby office workers may find cooking odors distracting and unpleasant. Problems may arise when old tenants leave and new arrivals introduce new uses of the building. Leases can spell out how many occupants can be accomodated within each space and what building uses are compatible with the design and capacity of the HVAC system. The use of ASH RAE 62- 1989 as a reference will help tenants understand that occupant density limitations serve the goal of providing a quality work environment and are not arbitrary or self-serving decisions by building management. Modifications by tenants: Plans to increase the number of occupants, move partitions, install new equipment or change the use of space should be subject to review (by a person competent to evaluate its impact on the ventilation system) so that potential indoor air quality problems can be identified and the HVAC system can be modified as needed. 13 DRAFT ------- • Notification of planned activities: Productive relations will be enhanced if building management informs tenants before the start of actMties that produce odors or contaminants (e.g. maintenance, pest control, repaIr, remodelling, redecorating). Responding to Occupant Complaints Complaints should be handled promptly, with every incident given serious attention. The recordkeeping system can help to resolve complaints by collecting information in a form that highlights patterns of problems (e.g. complaints that occur at a regular time of day or in the same area of the building). The COMPLAINT LOG shown on the next page (and also reproduced in the I Iank forms section of this document) can be used to track complaints related to the indoor environment. It is advisable to establish a recordkeeping system that cross-references documentation on complaints with records of equipment operation and maintenance. 14 ------- COMPLAINT LOG 0 ------- SICIUJ 1 - L [ VLLOIi G A IA1 HOlILL To prevent IAQ problems, you must understand how the basic factors that affect indoor air quality interact in your particular building. This requires collecting and evaluating information about the HVAC system, pollutant pathways and driving forces, pollutant sources, and building occupants. An lAO profile is a description of the features of the building structure, function, and occupancy that impact indoor air quality: the HVAC system, pollutant pathways and drMng forces, pollutant sources, and the building occupants. The primary goal of the lAO profiLe is to develop an understanding of the current status of air quality in the building and of factors which have a potential for causing problems in the future. The lAO profile can help building management to identify potential problem areas and prioritize budgets for maintenance and future modifications. Combined with information on lighting, security, and other important systems, it can become an owner’s manual specific to your building that will serve as a reference in a variety of situations. One goal in developing an lAO profile is to collect baseline information on the building’s function for future reference. Field measurements of ventilation rates are desirable if the resources are available for this task and will be necessary if building plans and specifications are unavailable. Direct measurements provide far better information on current conditions than can be obtained from the plans and specifications, even if as-built records are available. In the event of litigation around future lAO complaints, the value of the lAO profile as a resource document will be enhanced by real-world measurements. The key questions to answer while developing the lAO profile are: • How was this building originally intended to function? - building components and furnishings - mechanical equipment (HVAC and non-HVAC) - occupant population and associated activities • Is the building fur ctioning as designed? What is its current condition? - building components and furnishings • mechanical equipment • occupant population and associated activities - record of complaints in relation to lAO problems - maintenance, housekeeping, and pest control procedures and supplies 16 ------- • What changes have occurred since the original design and construction? • What changes may be needed to prevent lAO problems from developing in the future? Skills Required to Create an lUll Profile The process of developing an IAQ profile should require only a modest effort, from a few days to a few weeks of staff time. This work can be done in pieces over a longer period to fit into a building manager’s busy schedule. Many of the necessary resources should already be on hand, although they may not have been organized into a useful form. Additional information can be collected by the staff person or persons who have the following skills: • basic understanding of HVAC system operating principles • ability to read architectural and mechanical plans and understand manufacturer’s catalog data on equipment • ability to identify items of office equipment • ability to work cooperatively with building occupants and gather information about space usage • ability to work cooperatively with facilities staff and collect information about HVAC system operation, equipment condition, and maintenance schedules • authority to collect information from subcontractors about work schedules and materials used (particularly cleaning and pest control activities) In buildings where managers decide to make direct measurements a part of the lAO profile, the staff should have the tools and training to make the following measurements: • airflow rate in ductwork • CO 2 concentration • temperature • relative humidity • pressure differentials Baseline data on specific air contaminants may be desirable under some circumstances. The contaminant(s) of interest will vary from case to case. (See Appendk A for discussions of air sampling.) Some measurement techniques may require special expertise. 17 ------- Developing an lAO Profile Collect and Review Existing Records Review construction documents Check HVAC maintenance records against Products: equipment lists • Descnption of HVAC system Review complaint record design and operation • Set of maintenance and calbation records • Inventory of locations where Conduct a Walkthrough Inspection OCCupancy, equipment, or of the Building building have changed • Inventory of complaint TaJk with staff and other occupants lo ions Look for lAO pioblern indicators • List of responsible staff and/or contractors • Sketch plan showing pressure ________________ relationships around Collect Detailed Information special use areas and locations that need monitoring HVAC system condition and operation or correction • Inventory of HVAC system Pollutant pathways components needing repair, adjustment, or replacement Pollutant sources • Record of control settings and operating schedules Occupants • Completed plan showing airflow directions or pressure differerrna ls • Inventory of pollutant sources and their locations • Matenai Safety Data Sheets for products stored or used in the building • Record of room usage Go to the companion document ‘es ,/‘ flnd any”N L SOLVING lAO PROBLEMS ] I Develop an lAO management plan See Sectiun 5 - Menoging Buildings for Good INO 18 DRAFr ------- fleoeloping an 1110 Profile The information needed for an IAQ profile is similar that which is collected when solving indoor air quality problems, but includes the entire building rather than focussing on an identified problem area. The lAO profile should be an organized body of records that can be referred to in planning for renovations, negotiating leases and contracts, or responding to future complaints. The process of gathering information for the lAO profile can be divided into three stages: (1) Collect and review existing records. (2) Conduct a walkthrough inspection of the building. (3) Collect detailed information on: the HVAC system, pollutant pathways, and pollutant sources, and building occupancy. The first two stages should be carried out as quickly as possible, but the collection of detailed information can be handled as time allows so that it does not interfere with other staff responsibilities. COLLECT AND REVIEW EXISTING RECORDS • Review construction documents - Study the original architectural and mechanical design so that you understand the building’s layout and function. - Identity locations in which current occupancy or operation are changes from the original design. • Check HVAC maintenance records against equipment lists • Review existing records of complaints Review construction documents Collect any available construction documents: architectural and mechanical plans, specifications, submittals, sheet metal drawings, etc. A review of these documents can be used to identify locations in which changes in equipment or room usage create a 19 DRAFT ------- potential for indoor air quality problems. Make note of these areas so that you can give them special attention during the walkthrough inspection. Items of interest and the questions they suggest could include the following: • Remodelled areas - Has the HVAC system layout been changed to accomodate new walls, rearranged partitions, or similar architectural modifications? • Addition, removal, or replacement of HVAC equipment - Where the original equipment has been replaced, do the newer units have the same capacity as the originals? - Has new equipment been properly installed? - Where equipment has been removed, is it is no longer needed? • Changes in room use - Is there a need for additional ventilation (supply and/or exhaust) due to increased occupant population or new activities within any area of the building? - Have new items of equipment (non-H VAC) been provided with local exhaust where needed? Look for unusual types or quantities of equipment such as copy machines or computer terminals. Check HVAC maintenance records against equipment lists Collect your existing maintenance and calibration records and check them against the construction documents (e.g. equipment lists and mechanical plans). See whether all components appear to be receiving regular attention. Sometimes equipment is overlooked during routine maintenance because it has been installed in virtually inaccessible locations. This is particularly true of small items such as fans. Review records of complaints If there is an organized record of past occupant complaints about the building environment, review those complaints to identify building areas that deserve particular attention during the walkthrough inspection and later collection of information. Product of the review of existing records When the review of existing records is complete, you should have: • a description of the HVAC system design and operation (i.e. original plans and specifications with changes indicated or new sketch plans and notes), 20 DRAFT ------- • a set of maintenance and calibration records for HVAC system components (e.g. fans, dampers, filters, chillers, boilers, and control systems) • an inventory of locations in which current occupancy or HVAC system operation represents a change from the original design • an inventory of locations where complaints have been common in the past CONDUCT A WALKTHROUGH INSPECTION OF THE BUILDING • Talk with staff and other occupants • Look for lAO problem indicators The intent of the walkthrough inspection s to acquire a good overview of occupant activities and building functions. No specific forms are suggested for this stage of IAQ profile development. However, the investigator should have a sketch plan of the building so that his or her notes can be referenced to specific locations. Detailed measurements of temperature, humidity, airflow, or other parameters are more appropriate to a later stage of profile development. However, heatless chemical smoke should be used during the walkthrough inspection to reveal airflow patterns and pressure relationships. This inexpensive tool is very informative and simple to use; the users simply releases a puff of smoke into the air and observes its speed and direction of movement. Unlike hot smoke from cigarettes or punk sticks, heatless chemical smoke has no tendency to move in any direction, but is extremely responsive to air currents in the room. (See Appendk A for further discussion of heatless chemical smoke.) During the walkthrough stage of profile development, it is probably sufficient to check the pressure relationships between special use areas or other identified pollutant sources and surrounding rooms. Inappropriate odors (e.g. kitchen odors in a lobby) are an indicator that ventilation systems may require adjustment (e.g. testing and balancing). If you do not own a direct reading carbon dioxide monitor it is not important to acquire one for the lAO profile. Those who already own this type of instrument can take readings during the walkthrough as a way to obtain baseline information about normal operating conditions or identify problem locations. The value to your operations of owning indoor air quality measurement tools will grow as you become more familiar with handling indoor air quality concerns. (See AppendIx A for further discussion of carbon dioxide measurement.) 21 L.#i gj ------- Talk with staff and other occupants A walkthrough inspection provides an opportunity to introduce facilities staff and other building occupants to the topic of indoor air quality and to understand current stall (and contractor) responsibilities in relation to housekeeping and maintenance activities. Discussion of routine activities in the building will help to clarify elements that should be included in the IAQ management plan. It will be helpful to make a record of: • names and telephone numbers of staff (and/or contractors) responsible for - facilities maintenance (HVAC, plumbing, electric, building maintenance) - housekeeping - pest control • routine schedules of activities within the building that can impact indoor air quality, such as • housekeeping - pest control - deliveries - refuse removal Look for lAO problem Indicators The walkthrough inspection can be used to identify areas that have a high potential for lAO problems. The following are examples of problem indicators that should show a need for further attention: • Signs of occupant discomfort: Notice uneven temperatures, persistent odors, drafts, propped-open corridor doors, sensations of stuffiness, people using individual fans or heaters or wearing unusual clothing. These are indications that the HVAC system is not meeting the needs of the occupants. • Overcrowding: Future occupant density is estimated when the ventilation system for a building is designed. When the actual number of occupants approaches or exceeds this occupant design capacity, managers may find that IAQ complaints increase. At that point, the ventilation and cooling systems may not be adequate for the current use of the space. • Partitions: If office cubicles are used, see that there is a small space between the bottom of the panels and the floor to allow air circulation. • Heat sources: Look for unusual types or quantities of equipment such as copy machines or computer terminals. Also look for instances of over-illumination. High concentrations or electrical fixtures and equipment can overwhelm the 22 ------- ventilation and cooling systems which are generally designed to accommodate three (in older buildings) to five (in newer buildings) watts per square foot. • Special use areas: Special use areas or mixed use buildings can create lAO problems unless the HVAC system maintains appropriate pressure relationships to isolate and contain odors and contaminants. Examples of special use areas include attached parking garages, loading docks, print shops, smoking lounges, and kitchens. Refuse storage areas and supply storage areas also deserve attention during the onsite inspection. • Drain traps: Check wet traps to make sure they are charged with liquid; otherwise they could be passing sewer gas. Product of the Walkthrough Inspection At the end of the walkthrough inspection, you should have: • a list of staff (and contractors) with responsibilities related to lAO • a sketch plan with notes showing: - pressure relationships between special use areas and surrounding rooms -locations in which general indicators of lAO problems show the need for close monitoring or corrective action COLLECT DETAILED INFORMATION • Inspect HVAC equipment condition and operation • Inventory pollutant pathways • Inventory pollutant sources • Collect information on building occupancy The collection of detailed information for the IAQ profile can be handled as time is available. Areas that have been identified as presenting potential lAO problems should be given the highest priority. You may want to review the background information presented on pages 4-11 which decribes the factors that contribute to indoor air quality. 23 DRAFT ------- Inspect HVAC system condition and operation Use your current maintenance records in combination with the HVAC CHECKLIST to inspect HVAC equipment and make sure that it is in good operating condition. A portion of the HVAC CHECKLIST is shown on page 24, with the entire form reproduced in the [ lank hrms section. You may want to create a new form incorporating elements from your existing forms with items from the HVAC CHECKLIST. Identify items of equipment that need to be repaired, adjusted, or replaced. Record control settings and operating schedules for HVAC equipment for comparison to occupancy schedules and current uses of space. Component Fans location_________ fan blades clean? belts guarded? belts propetly teaisioned? excess vibration? corroded bousmg? c nro1s working, calibrated? con o1 setpomts correct? no pneumatic leaks? OK Needs Attention Not Checked Comments Inventory pollutant pathways Using the sketch plan of the building that was begun during the walkthrough inspection, indicate archttectural connections (e.g. chases) and mechanical connections (e.g. ductwork, temperature control zones). Complete your observations of airflow between spaces (also note airflow between perimeter rooms and outdoors) 24 Rai,l,I,nn Date Checked HVAC CHECKLIST Inspected by ------- using heatless chemical smoke and/or measure pressure differentials using a manometer. Record the results on the sketch plan or the POLLUTANT PATHWAY ASSESSMENT FORM. The form is shown on page 26 and in the [ lank Icrms section. 25 OME [ 4 ------- POLLUTANT PATHWAY ASSESSMENT FORM Building name/address__________________________ Investigator Complaint Area This form should be accompanied by a sketch plan of the complaint area and surrounding spaces. Doors, windows, diffusers, and other openings should be labelled on the plan so that your observations are clearly referenced to ,ecific locations. Date and time of observations:_____________________________________________________ Weather conditions: temperature______ windspeed and dir tion_________ humidity ________ other observations ______________________________ Eqwpment : La equipment operating in (or servicing) the complaint area and sumunding spaces and indicate whether it is operating while pressure differentials are being measured. It may be helpful to turn equipment on and off, open and close doors or windows, or perform other manipulations in an attempt to simulate conditions at the time that complaints occur. HVAC equipment: Air handler(s) Other fans Other equipment: Pathways : Note pathways by which pollutants may be entenng the space from surrounding areas. These may assist in defining the problem area and identifying pollutant sources. Other rooms served by same air handler:_________________________________ Surrounding spaces (including outdoors): Use chemical smoke to observe airflow at intentional and accidental openings into the complaint area. A checklist of typical openings is provided below. Use additional pages as needed. If a manometer is used, record the pressure differential in the middle column Architectural onenings : — doors (note: open or closed) — u ansoms — windows (note: open or closed) — stairways — utility chases — floor drains — cracks and holes Mechanical openings : — supply diffusers — return diffusers — exhaust intakes Opening Direction of smoke movement Comments 26 ORAFfl ------- Inventory pollutant sources Pollutant sources are often intermittent and may not be active during a site visit. Note the following general indicators of lAO problems: • odors • overcrowding (e.g. less than one hundred square feet per person) • unsanitary conditions (e.g. excessive dust) • moisture problems, visible fungal growth • staining and discoloration - make sure that stains are removed after leaks are repaired so that there will be visible evidence if the leak recurs • smoke damage - note: If a fire occurred involving electrical equipment, determine whether PCBs may have been released • presence of hazardous substances • note storage practices, schedule of use • evidence of soil gas entry (e.g. openings to earth) In addition to these general indications, some common problems deserve mention: • Refuse storage and disposal: If you have a restaurant in the building, daily pick- up of perishable refuse is desirable. Confirm that containers are covered, pest control is effective and the trash collection area is cleaned regularly (at least daily). • Light fixtures: Listen for noisy fluourescent fixtures. If you see a small spot of oil on the lens, the ballast may be leaking and could contain PCBs. • Materials handling: Where volatile or hazardous materials are used, confirm that they are stored and handled properly and that adequate ventilation has been provided. There should be an exhaust system for process functions such as darkrooms. Use the POLLUTANT AND SOURCE INVENTORY (shown in part on page 28, and reproduced in full in the E?Iank Icrms section) to record potential pollutant sources in the building. As you fill out the inventory form, make note of source locations and record the names of products used or stored within the building, such as cleaning materials, biocides, paints, caulks, and adhesives. Ask your suppliers to provide you with Material Safety Data Sheets for their products. 27 r ’ FT. ------- POLLUT ANT AND SOURCE INVENTORY Building name/Address_____________ Date______ Investigator Usuig the hst of potential source categories below, record any indications of contamination or suspected pollutants that may require further investigation or treatment. Sources of contamination may be constant or intermittent or may be linked to single, unrepeated events. For intermittent sources, try to indicate the time of peak activity or contaminant production. Source Category Checked Needs Attention Comments Sources outside the building Contaminated ambient air -pollen,dust - industrial contRminjrnts Emissions from nearby sources - vehicle exhaust_(parking garages,_loading docks, roads) - dumpsters - constructjonfdemolition - re-entrained exhaust - debris near O.A. intake Soil gas - moisture -radon - leaking undei round tanks - previous use of the site Other Equipment HVAC system equipment, supplies - dust or dirt in ducts - microbial_growth_in ducts - microbial growth at drip pans, chillers, humidifiers - leaks of treated boiler water 28 FT ------- Collect information on building occupancy The OCCUPANT DATA SHEET shown on page 30 (and also reproduced in the Flank Icrms secbon) can be used to maintarn an up-to-date record of the way each area of the building is used and its estimated average and peak occupancy. This information allows the calculation of ventilation rates in cubic feet/minute per person, so that you can compare current ventilation rates to the recommendations of ASHRAE 62-1989 (see the table reproduced on pages 31-33). 29 !JJ’Ikl ------- CA) 0 OCCUPANT DATA ShEET Building name/address Date Roomlarea Room use OCCUPaflCY Special Sensitivity (groups, Individuals) Complaints? Comments Average Peak (number, time) ------- BREAK FOR ILLUSTECION OUTDOOR AIR REQUIREMENTS FOR VENTILATION (ASHRAE 62-1989) Dr’ Darters, Laaadrla Commercial laundry Commercial dry cleaner Storage, pick up Coin-operated Iaundnea Co.n opersied dry cleaner low and Beserage Senlet Dining rooms Cafeteria. fast food Barn, cocktail lounges Etictrens (cooking) 20 Ganges, Repair, Settee Stations Enclosed pur ling garage AtjIo eep*ir rooms Notch, flouts, Resorts, Dormrrsmhn Bedrooms Lu”rng rooma Baths Lobbies Cost terrace rooms Assembly rooms Dormitory sleeping areas Gambling casinos 120 omen Ofirce space Reception areas Telecommunication centers and data entry aieaa Conference enema PublIc Spaees Corridors and utilities Public restrooms, cfm/aic on urinal Locket and dreesang rooms Smoking lounge 25 I i 30 15 35 jg 15 8 I S ‘ S 20 10 20 10 30 IS g 15 $ 20 10 i s g IS $ 30 IS 20 10 IS B 20 tO 20 ‘0 Supplementary smolie removal equipment may be required Makesp air (or hood eshausi may eequire more vrntilaiing air The sum of the ourdnor air and transfer air of acceptable quality from adjacent spaces shall be sat- ticient to provide an eshauui rare of not less than I S cfm/fli (75 L/s.mt) ISO 75 Distribution among people mull I SO 750 consider anrker locarior and con cenuratuon of cunning engines. stands a here engines are sun mini incorporate systems for positive engine exhaust withdrawal Con saminani tensors may be used to control ventilation 30 IS 30 15 35 Ig lnsnailedapacstyforsnternsrisenrrtsc 005 0.25 See also food and beverage services, merchandising, barber and beauty shops, garages Supplemesrrsey amohc.remtrnal equipmenr may be required Some office equipment may require local eshauss Supplementary amoke.remotal equipment may be required Mechanical eshauti miii no 03 2.3 reesreulation Ia recommended Normally supplied by rrantfer air, local mechanical exhaust, with no reeireulation recommended I 00 — S 00 Normally supplied by transfer air 31 DRAFTI TABLEt OIJWOOR AIR REQUIREMENTS FOR VENTILATWN 2 I COMMtRC1AL FACILITIES (offices, atoms, shops, holds, sports factlitiea) Estimated Maximum” Applótien Occupancy £/1000 f 1 i 0*100 at Oardaor Air Requirements 1 ,/s i Commerra a, c i a ) pen n Us person dm/ ft 1 I C 30 30 20 20 70 lO P lOP Dry’clesning processes may require morn sri 30 30 l i e 20 efns/eoom L,/a’room_Independent of room site. to 60 50 70 Ele vators 50 23 60 30 • Thhle 2 mnacribeu tannin nrnof aetepiasie nuidoor air reqsirnd fes acceptable isidssae air qualiry Then. relies hen been thasee us carrot CO 1 and aelser east taniinants sub an adeqaire margin at safety and is account for liôlth natsaisons smars peepre, eanud aesi”ilr tennIs, and a ineideiair smouni ol sniotsg Piaunaeai of CO 1 turret a presenied in Appenduu 0 “Net eeeupaabre apace. ------- OUTDOOR AIR REQUIREMENTS FOR VENTJLATION (ASHRAE 62-1989) (con’t) Retali Stores. Sa m Floom, and Show Room Room Rasenient and ureti Upper floors Storage loom; Dressing rooms Malls and arcade; Snippingiand receiving V.arehouses Smoking lounge SpecIally Shops Birbtt Bcauty Reducing talons florists Clothiers, lurnituro Iiardnare, drugs, fabric Supermat kiss Pet shops Sports and Amusement Spectator areas Game rooms Ice arenas ipia nn l ateas) Saimming pools (pool and deck area) Pta ing floors (gymnasium) Ballrooms and discos Roy ling alleys (stating areas) Theaters Ticket booi Pr; Lobbies Auditorium Stages, studios Transportat Ion %\aiiing rooms Platlesms Sehicirs 5 %orkroOma Meat processing 30 253 Is 20 10 70 2$ 25 20 I I S O 70 30 100 70 do 130 150 70 I CC 100 150 10 IS I 25 13 Is I Is $ 15 8 Is $ I S 8 25 13 20 10 25 13 2$ 13 20 10 20 0 I I S I is 8 Is 8 13 8 13 I 030 I SO 020 tOO 015 015 020 (10 020 00 0 13 015 005 025 Normally supplied by transler air, local mechanical eshaust, exhaust wiih no recsrtslatton recommended Ventilation so optimize plant growth may dictate requirements Speessi vnrstiiaiioa ‘ill be needed to eliminate apecisi stage etlects (eg. dry ice vapors. mutt, etc.) Ventilation within vehicles may require special considerations Spaces msstssained as low tempera- ,ures(—lO7to • srF.or —23’C to + tO’C)arenotcoveredby these requirements ashes the occu• paney is continuous Venrilasion Irons ad)osnsng spaces is pernsisur- bit When she occupancy a inter’ mitten!, infiltration will normatly aced the ventilation requirement (See Rel I I) __________ TABLE! OUTDOOR AIR REQUiREMENTS FOR VENTILATION’ (Continued) LI COMMERCIAL FACILI11ES (oilIest, stores, shops, hotels, sports facilities) Outdoor A l: Renaiiemeais Li z elm! person li Estimated Ma.almum” Appiicatloa Oetupasey P!I000 g 5 p 1 lOOm’ L i t Comments & elmf puma. - 60 30 I 030 i SO 100 500 When internal combustion engines are operated for mainiesance of 0 50 2 50 playing surfaces, increased ‘i’ensita lion rates may be required 050 250 Higher values may be rrqatred for humidity control • tase 2 prnaerlbei ,appJ rain of aeeegsabie outdoor air eegsiS far acceptable osdaoi nit quality These vatara ha n hnnn etioora is eanirol Cot and other me. aoiinansa s ub an adeqs,aie margina l ialeiy and to aeeoaai (or heaiih aanations 32 among people, varied activity sevets.anda mad—ia amouaa or uvokio& Raaiaisai at CO 3 ronirol is pinestued In Agpendis •Plet oceagiabta span. ORAFT I ------- OUTDOOR AIR REQUIREMENTS FOR VENTILATION (ASHRAE 62-1989) (con’t) TABLEt OUTDOOR AIR RLQUIREMENT FOR VENTILATION (ConcludeM 2.1 COMMERCIAL MCILITTES oflIcu atom. shops. bot,)i, sports IicIIlIies} Reprinted with permission from ASHRAE 62-1989, “Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality” 33 2 .1 tT1I !IJ Apphu l1on £aIits1 Mazl uuc O etnp aic7 P/1000ft i or 100 m’ Oatdoor Alt Raquurernvits Comments clmf LI , elm! person person I I ’ tot’ Photo s tudiOs 50 5 5 I 030 250 Dar hr oor s ul 10 0 Ph.srmicy 20 15 55 I Dank esulsa 5 030 230 Insishled equipment must incorpo. Dupliciting. pnnuins . rate pcsulwe cihauts and control (as required) ol undciinble con. tamirsanha uozsc or otherwise) 2.2 INSTITUTIONAL FACILITiES E6u ll o n Clisiroom 30 IS 0 I C Special conusmirtatit control L bor atonts 30 20 20 IC syslcms may be required to: Training shop 30 IS 0 processes or (ursctuonl urtcIudirt P4usic roorris 50 IS S Lsbor,iory mitral Occupancy Libraries 20 0 50 2 50 L.oct .er rooms 0 10 0 50 Corridors 0 Auidiotiurist ISO i S Normally iupplied by crarusrei air Srrioliitg lousrugee 70 60 Local rnechsrucal rihariul with rio rccurcsilli ion recommended iloipulalu. ‘nursing and Convatnoenni h1cnmn or codes and Pstsruil rooms iilrd,csI procedure Operating rooms 10 20 70 25 13 IS I 30 is I pleasure relationships may deter. mint minimum se,tiilaisOn Piles and lilies efficiency Puocednares Recoier and ICU 20 0 50 2 30 rnerauuna contaminants may require hupher rain. Air shall not be recirculaled unto Autopa rooms 55 8 cthtt I IC 5 P l tysucsl Therapy Correctional Facilsilci Cells 20 20 Dining halls 100 ii B Guird slarions 40 13 • Tsblt 1 pestcrsbe smpv t ’ 1 111,01 scce abk osu o. ii , ,eqrnwd Cot otmpubi .ndool sir almIi Theis riluim as i c keli disuir uo eoirurol CO 1 sad ih,n cmi. ulnaftuam null an adiquali maigus of sitry turd so oceowul for tiuhll vutatiours rrum4 çwoplm. mud minui kits. otid a enodritu Inuouru otmuckunl. Bai,onaic rot CO 1 conurci ptnstnstd mAppendiaD Nr apiabti 5p 5c% ------- Product of collecting detailed information • an inventory of HVAC system components that need to be repaired, adjusted, or replaced • a current record of control settings and operating schedules • a completed plan of the building showing airflow directions or pressure differentials • an inventory of pollutant sources and their locations Material Safety Data Sheets for products used or stored within the building • a record of usage for each room, including estimates of the average and peak occupancy If the information collected as you develop the lAO profile indicates that you have an lAO problem, the companion document SOLVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS provides guidance that may help you to resolve that problem. 34 ORAFI ------- Sectkn I - Manaeine I uiIdin s fcr G d lAG The relationship between building owners, management, staff and tenants is an important factor in decisionmaking that affects indoor air quality. The objectives of the major players in these relationships may be very different. Tenants want the space they occupy to be pleasant, safe, and attractive, but also want to get the maximum use out of that space for the least cost. Building owners and management want to maintain a reputation for providing quatity property at reasonable cost, but also need to derive a profit from renting their space. Facilities staff are often caught in the middle, trying to control operating and maintenance costs while still keeping tenants satisfied. Regardless of the points on which they may disagree, building occupants and management share the goal of providing a healthy indoor environment. Recognition of this common goal may help avoid conflict when discussing IAQ-related policies. Any IAQ management system will be successful only if it is organized to fit your specific building. It would not be appropriate for this document to prescribe any single approach. However, the skills associated with IAQ management activities will be identified to help building management decide who will be best able to carry them out. Education and training programs for staff and building occupants may be needed to ensure that new procedures are understood and adopted. Managing a building for good indoor air quality involves reviewing and amending current practice (and establishing new procedures, if necessary) to: • maintain HVAC systems and other equipment • oversee activities of staff, tenants, contractors, and other building occupants that impact indoor air quality • smoking - housekeeping - building maintenance - pest control - food preparation and other special uses • resolve complaints about the indoor environment- (see Section 3) • educate staff, tenants, contractors, and other building occupants about their responsibilities in relation to indoor air quality - (see Section 3) • identify aspects of planned projects that could affect indoor air quality and manage projects so that good air quality is maintained - redecorating, renovation, or remodelling - relocation of personnel or functions within the building • new construction 35 Ffl ------- Developing an lAO Management Plan Facilities Maintenance Housekeeping Pest Control I Tenant Relations I Ii Renovation Redecorating Remodelling II I Smoking _____________ \ // ORAFT REVISE EXISTING PROCEDURES AS NEEDED Operations Recordkeeping Purchasing Communications Planning and Policymaking 36 ------- Deueloping on 100 Management Plan The flowchart on page 36 shows the elements of an lAO management plan. Development of the management plan involves reviewing and revising staff responsibilities so that lAO considerations become incorporated into routine procedures such as: • operations • recordkeeping • purchasing • communications, and • planning and policymaking Whatever organizational strategy is most suited to your staffing and building tenancy, the key elements of good lAO management remain the same: • reach an understanding of the fundamental influences that affect indoor air quality • use the IAQ profile and other available information to apply that understanding to your particular building - evaluate the design, operation, and usage of the building - identify potential lAO problem locations - identify staff and contractors whose activities affect indoor air quality • assign responsibility for IAQ management activities and establish lines of communication so that responsible individuals are informed of decisions that may affect indoor air quality • review standard procedures and make necessary revisions to promote good indoor air qualfty, such as: - terms of contracts (e.g. pest control, leases) - scheduling of activities that produce dust, emissions, odors, etc. - scheduling of equipment operation, inspection, and maintenance - specifications for supplies (e.g. cleaning products, construction materials, furnishings) • review the existing recordkeeping system and make necessary revisions to incorporate and track IAQ-related information 37 ------- • review the policy regarding tobacco smoking within the building • educate building staff, occupants, and contractors about their influence on indoor air quality It is important to note that lAO problems may occur even in buildings whose owners and managers conscientiously apply the best available information to avoid such problems. On the other hand, those who can demonstrate their ongoing efforts to provide a safe indoor environment are in a strong legal and ethical position if problems do arise. SELECT AN IAQ MANAGER lAO management will be facilitated if one individual is designated with overall responsibility for lAO. Associated duties include: responding to complaints, overseeing the adoption of new procedures, and reviewing and commenting on potential actions which may affect the indoor environment (e.g. maintenance, pest control, and cleaning contracts, lease arrangements, renovation plans, changes in cleaning supplies). Whether or not this person is given the title of “IAQ Manager , he or she should have a good understanding of the building’s structure and function and should be able to communicate with tenants, facilities personnel, and building owners or their representatives about lAO issues. Facilities personnel are not generally trained to think about 1AQ issues as they go about their work. Even though building staff may be observing events and conditions which would indicate potential problems to an experienced lAO investigator, their attention may be directed elsewhere. As new practices are introduced to prevent indoor air quality problems, an organized system of recordkeeping will help those practices to become part of routine operations and to flag decisions that could affect lAO. The best results can be achieved by taking time to think about the established channels of communication within your organization, so that new forms can be integrated into decisionmaking with minimum disruption to normal procedures. The lAO manager ‘s ongoing responsibilities might include: • coordinating staff efforts that affect indoor air quality • reviewing all major projects in the building for their lAO implications • negotiating with contractors (e.g. cleaning services, pest control contractors) whose routine activities in the building could create IAQ problems • periodically inspecting the building for indicators of lAO problems 38 AFT ------- • managing lAO-related records • receiving complaints or observations regarding potential lAO problems • conducting an initial walkthrough investigation of any lAO complaints REVIEW EXISTING RECORDS If the lAO manager was not actively involved in developing the lAO profile, one of his or her first tasks will be to review the profile carefully, identifying: • building locations with a potential for lAO problems due to: - special uses that are not accounted for in the design or operation of the HVAC system - mechanical systems or components in need of repair, adjustment, or replacement - contaminant-generating sources without local exhaust - the existence of lAO problem indicators such as stains from water leakage, odors, or overcrowding - a history of occupant complaints about discomfort or health problems - occupancy by groups or individuals known to have special sensitivities to environmental stresses (e.g. children, elderly people) • staff and contractors whose activities impact indoor air quality • other building occupants whose activities impact indoor air quality In addition to information from the IAQ profile, it may be helpful to review lease forms and other contractual agreements for an understanding of the respective legal responsibilities of the building management, tenants, and contractors. Incorporation of lAO concerns into legal documents helps to ensure the use of proper materials and procedures by contractors and can help to limit the load placed on ventilation equipment by occupant activities. The products of the review of existing records should be: • a priority list of locations and activities within the building that will require special attention in order to prevent indoor air quality problems • a list of staff and contractors whose responsibilities need to be included in the IAQ management plan. 39 __, (1_ J ------- If specific areas appear to have a high potential for indoor air quality problems in the near future, it may be appropriate to investigate and mitigate them immediately, using the companion document, SOLVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS (particularly the sections entitled tia nosIne IAc 1rcblems and MItI atIne IA1 I r4bIems). The response to such locations can be prioritized according to the apparent seriousness of their consequences. For example, combustion gas odors demand a more rapid response than thermostats that are out of calibration. ASSIGN STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES The assignment of staff responsibilities varies widely between organizations, depending upon the routine activities to be carried out and the capabilities of the available personnel. It would not be appropriate for this document to suggest how lAO- related responsibilities should be allocated in your organization. However, the following represent activities affecting indoor air quality that are common to most public and commercial buildings: • facilities maintenance • housekeeping • pest control • tenant relations • renovation, redecorating, and remodelling • smoking For each of the above activities, the IAQ management plan may involve revisions to one or more of the following: • operations • recordkeeping • purchasing • communications • planning and policymaking Using information from the lAO profile, the IAQ manager should work with staff and contractors to ensure that building operations and planning processes incorporate a concern for indoor air quality. New procedures, recordkeeping requirements, or staff training programs may be needed. The flow of information between the IAQ manager and staff, tenants, and contractors is particularly important. Good indoor air quality requires prompt attention to changing conditions which could cause IAQ problems, such as installation of new equipment, increases in occupant population, or new uses of rooms. 40 ------- Facilities Maintenance Indoor air quality can be affected both by the quality of maintenance and by the materials and procedures selected for use in operating and maintaining the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems, as well as other building components. Facilities staff can best respond to indoor air quality concerns if they understand how their activities affect indoor air quality. It may be necessary to change existing practices or introduce new procedures in relation to: • Equipment operating schedules: Confirm that the timing of occupied and unoccupied cycles is compatible with actual occupied periods, and that the building is flushed by the ventilation system before occupants arrive. • Adjusting and balancing the HVAC system: Make sure that appropriate pressure relationships are maintained between building areas so that odors and contaminants are isolated and controlled. Ventilation systems should not recirculate air exhausted from areas which are potential sources of contaminants (chemical storage areas, beauty salons) unless an adequate filtration or air cleaning system is functioning. Activities which produce odors, dust, or contaminants should be equipped with adequate local exhaust or confined to locations which are maintained under negative pressure relative to adjacent areas. For example, loading docks are a frequent source of combustion odors. Make sure that rooms surrounding loading docks are maintained under positive pressure to prevent the entrainment of vehicle exhaust. • Frequency of maintenance: Make sure that equipment is inspected regularly and maintained in good condition and operating as designed (i.e. as close to the design setpoints for controls as possible). The HYAC CHECKLIST shown on page 24 and the MAINTENANCE CALENDAR shown on page 43 (both reproduced in the Hank Ecrms section of this document) can be modified so that they are appropriate for inspection and maintenance of the specific equipment in your building. As equipment is added, removed, or replaced, any changes in function, capacity, or operating schedule should be documented for future reference. It may also be helpful to store records of equipment operation and maintenance in the same location as records of occupant complaints for easy comparison if lAO problems arise. • Scheduling of maintenance activities: Schedule maintenance activities which interfere with HVAC operation or produce odors and emissions so that they occur when the building is unoccupied. 41 .--,- - ------- • Material handling and storage practices: Ask vendors to provide Material Safety Data sheets. Make sure that paints, solvents, and other chemicals are stored and handled properly, with adequate ventilation provided. • Purchasing: Consider buying lower-emissions materials when possible. Little guidance is currently available, but manufacturers and vendors can be expected to respond to a demand for products that will help in avoiding IAQ problems. BREAK FOR SIDEBAR SIDEBAR PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE A good preventive maintenance program can improve the functioning of all mechanical and electrical systems as well as helping to prevent indoor air quality problems. In some buildings, maintenance is put off until breakdowns occur or complaints arise - “if it works, don’t fix it”. This attitude represents a false economy which can be costly in the long run. Reduced attention to maintenance shortens the useful life of mechanical equipment. Clogged filters put an additional load on fans. Unbalanced ventilation can increase energy costs as well as occupant complaints. Serious health problems can result if mold and bacteria growth is not prevented in areas which are moist by design (humidifiers, chillers) or by accident (spills or leaks). Eements of a preventive maintenance program include: • periodic inspection, cleaning, and maintenance of equipment • adjustment and calibration of control system components • selection of replacement equipment that is of good quality and properly sized for its intended function 42 DRAFL ------- MAINTENANCE CALENDAR Bwldmg namef address___ inspector — Year Components Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Outdoor air intake Baxi Mixing plenum Outdoor air quantity Filters Heating coils Cooling coils Humidifier Fans Air distribution Terminal box Mechanical om Return plenum 43 Q FT dtLtI -, ------- Housekeeping indoor air quality complaints can arise from inadequate housekeeping that fails to remove dust and other dirt or, at the other extreme, from the odors and emissions produced by cleaning materials. It may be helpful to educate cleaning staff or contractors about the indoor air quality impacts of their activities. The following suggestions can help to minimize lAO problems: • Scheduling: Consider how cleaning activities are scheduled. Managers may want to schedule the use of some cleaning agents that introduce strong odors or contaminants during unoccupied periods. • Purchasing: Insist on getting the Material Safety Data Sheets for as many cleaning and maintenance products as possible. Use them to become more familiar about the types of ingredients they contain and their potential toxicity. Select the safest available materials that can achieve your purpose. Little guidance about the potential impact on indoor air quality of such products is currently available, but manufactures and vendors can be expected to respond to an increase in the demand for products that will help in avoiding lAO problems. • Material handling and storage: Review the use of cleaning materials to ensure proper use and storage. • Trash disposal: Make sure that trash disposal procedures are adequate. If there is a restaurant in the building, require daily pick-up of perishable refuse. Ensure that the containers are covered, pest control is effective, and that the trash collection area is cleaned at least daily. Pest Control Pest control activities involve the storage, handling, and application of materials that can have serious heafth effects. It is preferable to eliminate conditions that feed or harbor insects whenever possible, rather than relying on biocide applications as a means of pest control. If an outside contractor is used for pest control, it is advisable to review the terms of the contract. The following items deserve particular attention. Note that it may be necessary to modify HVAC system operation during pest control activities. • Scheduling: Pest control activities should be scheduled during unoccupied periods, if possible, so that the affected area can be flushed with ventilation air before occupants return. Consider whether adequate pest control could be 44 ------- maintained if biocides were applied less frequently (or in a smaller number of targetted locations) than is your current practice. • Materials handling and storage: Ask contractors or vendors to provide Material Safety Data Sheets. Make sure that biocides are stored and handled properly. • Ventilation of areas where biocides are applied: If only limited areas of the building are being treated, make sure that the HVAC system is not going to distribute contaminated air throughout the rest of the building. Consider using temporary exhaust systems to remove contaminants during the work. Tenant RelatIons Managing tenant relations to prevent IAQ problems involves: (1) monitoring the use of building areas by tenants and allocating space in a way that isolates odor- and contaminant-producing activities, (2) establishing a communication strategy that is responsive to complaints and provides tenants with information about their effects on indoor air quality, and (3) modifying lease agreements if necessary to clarify the responsibilities of tenants and building management. A health and safety committee or joint tenant-management IAQ task force that represents all of the major interest groups in the building can be very helpful in disseminating information and fostering a cooperative approach to lAO management. See Sectlcn 3 - C mmunIcatIn w Rh I uiIdIne Occupants for a discussion of these points. The following aspects of tenant relations should be reviewed and modified as necessary: • Use of space: Be aware that lAO problems can arise as building usage changes over time. Increases in occupant density or changes in the use of space should be accompanied by adjustment of the air distribution systems (increased quantities of supply air and outdoor air, addition of local exhaust, modification of pressure relationships between functional areas) as needed. • Complaints: It is important to maintain an up-to-date record of the way each area of the building is used and to track complaints related to the indoor environment. Sample OCCUPANT DIARY and COMPLAINT LOG forms are reproduced in the I Iank Iorms section of this document. ------- • Alterations by tenants: Tenant a erations should only be permitted after the proposed design has been reviewed and approved by a person competent to evaluate its impact on the ventilation system. • Planned activities: Productive relations will be enhanced if building management makes an effort to inform tenants before the start of activities that produce odors or contaminants (e.g. maintenance, pest control, repair, remodelling, redecorating). • Leases: Lease arrangements can be used to clarify the legal obligations of tenants and building management as they relate to indoor air quality. Renovation, Redecorating, and Remodelling Renovation, redecorating, and remodelling are activities that can create indoor air quality problems by producing dust, odors, and emissions. It is particularly difficult to prevent lAO problems if some building areas are undergoing renovation while adjoining areas continue normal operations. Close monitoring of renovation, redecorating, and remodelling projects is recommended. The following suggestions may be helpful: • Working with professional consultants: Communicate your concern with preventing indoor air quality problems to the engineer, architect, interior designer, or other professionals involved in the project. • Product selection: Specify products and processes that minimize odors and emissions. Only limited information is currently available; however, your requests will help to show the demand for low-emissions products. • Scheduling: Schedule activities that produce dust, odors, or emissions for unoccupied periods if possible. 46 ORA El ------- • Isolation of work areas: - block off return grilles to avoid recirculation of odors and contaminants from the demolition/construction area into adjoining areas - install temporary local exhaust to remove odors and contaminants • install temporary barriers to confine dust • Installation of new furnishings: - ask suppliers to store new furnishings in a clean, dry location until volatile organic compounds have outgassed - minimize the use of adhesives during installation, or specify low-emitting products - after new furnishings are installed, increase the ventilation rate to flush the area with outside air to permit the dilution of emissions Note: At present there is no system for certifying or labelling low-emission products nor is there a standard procedure for building owners or management to use in gathering emissions data on products they are considering for purchase. Limited information on some products such as pressed wood products is available, and more may be expected in future. Work is underway at several Federal agencies to set up such systems or encourage their establishment by the private sector. 47 , ‘1 ------- Smoking NOTE TO REVIEWERS: EPA is now preparing a risk assessment of environmental tobacco smoke as well as a guide for decision-makers on workplace smoking policies. The comment period on these documents has closed and an evaluation of written comments and revisions to the documents are now in progress. This section will contain a discussion of the issues of smoking in buildings which is consistent with the final documents on passive smoke now in development. 48 ------- Secticn 5 - Iespcndln tc IA I rcbIems When you are collecting information to develop an IAQ profile and an lAO management plan, you may find evidence of one or more indoor air quality problems. You may also discover conditions that could produce lAO complaints, such as malfunctioning HVAC equipment or odor-producing activities located next to incompatible building uses. Whether or not there are IAQ problems at present, such problems might arise in the future. The companion volume in this guidance document, SOLVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS, is designed to help you resolve lAO complaints. If your lAO management plan includes a health and safely committee, that committee can help to maintain a productive relationship with building occupants while lAO complaints are being resolved. Section 3 of SOLVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS discusses the importance of good communications and suggests the types of information that need to be conveyed. Section 4 of SOLVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS describes the building investigation process. The investigator (who may be a staff member or an outside professional) collects information on the pattern of occupant complaints, the condition and operation of the HVAC system, pollutant pathways and driving forces, and pollutant sources. Much of this information will already be available if you have developed art lAO profile, though the investigation may involve a more detailed examination of a localized building area. Measurement of contaminant levels is not likely to be valuable initially but may be needed at some point in the investigation. Section 5 of SOLVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS discusses the strategies that are used to mitigate (correct) indoor air quality problems. These strategies can be categorized as source control, ventilation, and air cleaning. The section gives brief descriptions of some common lAO problems and solutions to those problems, and provides criteria to use in evaluating potential approaches to mitigation. It is sometimes advisable to hire outside assistance so that indoor air quality complaints can be resolved successfully. This decision depends upon individual circumstances such as the expertise available in-house and the apparent seriousness or complexity of the problem. If you decide to hire an tAO professional, Section 6 of SOLVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS provides guidance in evaluating potential consu ants and the services they offer. Despite your best efforts at preventing such problems, you may someday face an indoor air quality complaint. At that time, the effort that was invested in developing an fAQ profile and lAO management plan will give you a strong foundation for dealing with the problem. 49 DRAFr ------- FISOUI CIS FEDERAL AGENCIES WITH MAJOR INDOOR AIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS U.S. Environmental Protection National Institute for Agency: Occupational Safety and Health: Public tnformation Center Requests for Field Investigations: (PM-21 1 B) NIOSH 401 M Street, SW Hazard Evaluations and Technical Washington, DC 20460 Assistance Branch (R-9) 202-382-2080 4676 Columbia Parkway (distributes indoor air quality Cincinnati, Ohio 45226 publications) 513-841-4382 National Pesticides Requests for Information: Telecommunications Network National 1-800-35-NIOSH or toll-free number: 1-800-638-2772 1-800-858-PEST In Texas: 806-743-3091 Occupational Satety and Health (provides information on pesticides) Administration: TSCA Hotline U.S. Department of Labor Service 202-554-1404 200 Constitution Avenue, NW (provides information on asbestos and Washington, D.C. 20210 other toxic substances) 50 DRAFT ------- EPA Regional Offices Address inquiries to the Indoor Air Contacts in the EPA regional offices at the folLowing addresses: REGION STATES IN REGION Region 1 Connecticut, Maine, EPA Massachusetts, New John F. Kennedy Hampshire, Rhode Island, Federal Building Vermont Boston, MA 02203 617-565-3232 Region 2 New Jersey, New York, EPA Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands 26 Federal Plaza New York, NY 10278 212-264-2517 Region 3 Delaware 1 District of Columbia, EPA Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia. West 841 Chestnut Building Virginia Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-597-8322 21 5-597-4084(radon) Region 4 Alabama, Florida, Georgia, EPA Kentucky, Mississippi, North 345 Courtland Street, N.E. Carolina, South Carolina , Tennessee Atlanta, GA 30365 404-347-2864 Region 5 Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, EPA Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin 230 South Dearborn Street Chicago, II 60604 312-886-6054 51 ------- REGION STATES IN REGION Region 6 Arkansas, Louisiana, EPA Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas Allied Bank Tower 1445 Ross Avenue Dallas, TX 75202 214-655-7214 Region 7 Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska EPA 726 Minnesota Avenue Kansas City, KS 66101 919-236-2893 Region 8 Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, EPA South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming 999 18th Street, Suite 1300 Denver, CO 80202 303-293-1692 Region 9 Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, EPA American Samoa, Guam, Trust 215 Fremont Street Territories of the Pacific San Francisco, CA 94105 415-974-8381 Region 10 Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington EPA 1200 Sixth Avenue Seattle, WA 98101 206-442-2589 52 2 FT j ------- OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES WITH INDOOR AIR RESPONSIBILITIES IN PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS Bonneville Power Administration Portland, OR 97208 General Services Administration 18th and F Streets, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20450 Office of Conservation and Renewable Energy U.S. Department of Energy 1000 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC 20585 53 Office on Smoking and Health Center for Chronic Diseases Prevention and Health Promotion Centers for Disease Control Park Building Room 1-10 5600 Fishers Lane Rockvifle, MD 20857 Tennessee Valley Authority Industry Hygiene Branch 328 Multipurpose Building Muscle Shoals, AL 35660 ORA F1 ------- STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES Your questions and concerns about indoor air problems can frequently be answered most readily by the government agencies in your state or locality. Responsibilities for indoor air quality issues are usually divided among many different agencies. You will often find that calling or writing the agencies responsible for health or air quality control is the best way to start getting information from your state or local government. The EPA and Public Health Foundation publication, Directory of State Indoor Air Contacts, lists state agency contacts. (See publications list for information about how to order this publication.) PRIVATE SECTOR CONTACTS Some of the private sector organizations that have information for the public on indoor air quality issues in commercial and public buildings: Building Management Associations: Association of Physical Plant Administrators of Universities and Colleges 1446 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314-3492 Building Owners and Managers Association, International 1201 New York Ave., NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20003 International Council of Shopping Centers 1199 North Fairfax Street Suite 204 Alexandria, VA 22314 International Facilities Management Association Summit Tower Suite 1710 11 Greenway Plaza Houston TX 77046 Professional and Standard Setting Organizations: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists 6500 Glenway Avenue Building D-7 Cincinnati, OH 45211 54 American Industrial Hygiene Association P.O. Box 8390 345 White Pond Drive Akron, OH 44320 DRAFT ------- Professional and Standard Setting Organizations (continued): American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers 1791 TuIlie Circle, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30329 Product Manufacturers: Adhesive and Sealant Council 1627 K Street NW Washington, DC 20006 Asbestos Information Association 1745 Jefferson Davis Highway Room 509 Arlington, VA 22202 Association c i Wall and Ceiling Industries 1600 Cameron Street Alexandria, VA 22314-2705 Carpet and Rug Institute 1155 Connecticut Avenue Suite 500 Washington, DC 20036 55 American Society of Testing Materials Subcommittee D22.05 Indoor Air Quality 1916 Race Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 Chemical Specialities Manufacturers Association 1001 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 1120 Washington, DC 20005 Formaldehyde institute 1330 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington DC 20855 National Paint and Coatings Association 1500 Rhode Island Avenue NW Washington, DC 20005 Thermal Insulation Manufacturers Association 8341 S. Sangre De Cristo Road Littleton, CO 80127 RAFTi ------- Building Service Associations: Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute 1501 Wilson Boulevard 6th floor Arlington, VA 22209 Air-Conditioning Contractors of America 1513 16th Street NW Washington DC 20036 American Consulting Engineers Council 1015 15th Street, NW Suite 802 Washington, DC 20005 Associated Air Balance Council 1518 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration 10830 Annapolis Junction Road Suite 312 Annapolis Junction, MD 20701 Unions: AFL-CIO Department of Occupational Safety and Health 815 16th Street Washington, DC 20006 Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union 15 Union Square New York, NY 10003 56 National Air Duct Cleaner Association 1518 K Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 National Association of Power Engineers 4470 MacArthur Blvd. Washington, DC 20007 National Environmental Bureau 8224 Old Courthouse Rd. Vienna, VA 22182 Balancing National Pest Control Association 8100 Oak Street Dunn Loring, VA 20027 Sheet Metal & Conditioning Contractors National Association 8224 Old Courthouse Rd. Vienna, VA 22182 American Federation of Government Workers 1325 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20005 American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees 1625 L Street NW Washington, DC 20036 DRAFTA ------- Unions (continued): American Federation of Teachers 555 New Jersey Avenue NW Washington, DC 20001 Communication Workers of America 1925 KStreet NW Washington, DC 20006 International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen, and Helpers of America 25 Louisiana Avenue NW Washington, DC 20001 International Union of Operating Engineers 1125 17th Street, NW, 4th Floor Washington, DC 20036 Service Employees International Union 1313 L Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 EnvironmentallHealth Organizations Your local lung association or American Lung Association 1740 Broadway New York, NY 10019 57 Sheet Metal Workers International Association 1750 New York Avenue NW Washington, DC 20006 The Newspaper Guild 1125 15th Street NW Washington, DC 20005 United Food and Commercial Workers Internationat Union 1775 K Street NW Washington, DC 20006 Utility Workers Union of America 815 16th Street NW Washington DC 20006 National Environmental Health Association 720 South Colorado Blvd. South Tower Suite 970 Denver, CO 80222 o 1 RAF I ------- PUBLICATIONS AND WRITTEN MATERIAL * items are available from EPA Public Information Center (PM-21 1 B), 401 M Street SW, Washington, DC 20460 General Information: Bazerghi, Hani and Catherine Arnoult. Practical Manual for Good Indoor Air Quality. 1989. Quebec Association for Energy Management. 1259 Bern Street, Suite 510, Montreal, Quebec. Canada. H2L4C7. Cone, James E. and Michael J. Hodgson, MD, MPH. Problem Buildings: Building- Associated Illness and the Sick Building Syndrome. Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews. Hanley & Belfus, Inc., 210 South 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Indoor Air Quality Urxlate. Cutter Information Corp. 1100 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02174. (Monthly newsletter covering technical indoor air issues.) US EPA. Ventilation and Air Quality in Offices. Indoor Air Quality Fact Sheet #3. Revised 1990. US EPA. Sick Buildings. Indoor Air Quality Fact Sheet #4. Revised 1990. Revised 1990. US EPA. Project Summaries: Indoor Air Quality in Public Buildings. 1988. Description and findings of research project. * US EPA and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Inside Stop,’: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality. 1988. Addresses residential indoor air quality primarily, but contains a section on offices. * US EPA and the Public Health Foundation. Directory of State Indoor Air Contacts. 1990. (In revision) * Ventilation: ASH RAE Standard 62-1989. 1989. Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. 1989. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc., 1791 Tullie Circle, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30329. 58 LU1 ------- ASHRAE Journal. October 1989. Several articles describing ASHRAE Standard 62- 1989. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc., 1791 Tullie Circle, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30329. Building Investigation and Remediation: Commission of the European Communities. Sick Building Syndrome: A Practical Guide. (Report #4). 1989. COST Project 613. Office of Publications of the European Communities. Luxembourg. US Department of Health and Human Services. NIOSH. Indoor Air Quality: Selected References. 1989. 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. US Department of Health and Human Services. NIOSH. Guidance for Indoor Air Quality Investigations. 1987. 4676 Columbia Parkway Cincinnati, Ohio 45226. Environmental Tobacco Smoke: US Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Smoking, A Report of the Surgeon Genera!. 1986. Office on Smoking and Health. U.S. Public Health Service 5600 Fishers Lane, Roomi-lO, Rockville, MD 20857. US Department of Health and Human Services. National Cancer Institute. Office of Cancer Communications. A series of one-page information sheets on all aspects of smoking in the workplace. For copies, call 1-800-4-CANCER. US EPA. Environmental Tobacco Smoke. Indoor Air Quality Fact Sheet #5. * US EPA. Environmental Tobacco Smoke: A Guide to Workplace Smoking Policies. 1990. (In review) * US EPA. Health Effects of Passive Smoking: Assessment of Lung Cancer in Adults and Respiratory Disorders in Children. 1990. (In review.) * Biologicals: American Council of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Guidelines for the Assessment of Bioaerosols in the Indoor Environment. 1989. 6500 Glenway Avenue, Building D-7, Cincinnati, OH 45211 59 4 a ------- Asbestos: US EPA. In-Place Asbestos Guidance. 1990. In review. Available from the TSCA hotline: (202) 554-1404. US EPA. Tenants’ Guide. 1990. In preparation. Available from the TSCA hotline: (202) 554-1404. US EPA. Transmission Electron Microscopy Asbestos Laboratories: Quality Assurance Guidelines. 1989. EPA 560/5-90-002. Available from the TSCA hotline: (202) 554-1404. US EPA. Asbestos Ban and Phaseout Rule. 40 CFR 763.160 to 763.179. Federal Register, July 12, 1989. Available from the TSCA hotline: (202) 554-1404. US EPA. Guidelines for Conducting the AHERA TEM Clearance Test to Determine Completion of an Asbestos Abatement Project, EPA 560/5-89-001. Available from the TSCA hotline: (202) 554-1404. US EPA. Asbestos Abatement Projects: Worker Protection. Final Rule 40 CFR. 763. February 1987. Available from the TSCA hotline: (202) 554-1404. US EPA. A Guide to Respiratory Protection for the Asbestos Abatement Industry. 1986. EPA 560/OTS 86-001. Available from the TSCA hotline: (202) 554-1404. US EPA. Abatement of Asbestos-Containing Pipe Insulation. 1986. Technical Bulletin No. 1986-2. Available from the TSCA hotline: (202) 554-1404. US EPA. Asbestos in Buildings: Guidance for Service and Maintenance Personnel (in English and Spanish). 1985. EPA 560/5-85-018. (“Custodial Pamphlet ). Available from the TSCA hotline: (202) 554-1404. US EPA. Measuring Airborne Asbestos Following An Abatement Action. 1985. EPA 600/4-85-049. (“Silver Book”). Available from the TSCA hotline: (202) 554-1404. US EPA. Asbestos in Buildings: Simplified Sampling Scheme for Surfacing Materials. 1985. 560/5-85-030A. (‘Pink Book”). Available from the TSCA hotline: (202) 554- 1404. US EPA. Guidance for Controlling Asbesto-Containiflg Materials in Buildings. 1985. EPA 560/5-85-024. (“Purple Book”). Available from the TSCA hotline: (202) 554- 1404. 60 4CT J,1 ------- US EPA. National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants. 40 CRF 61. April 1984. Available from the TSCA hotline: (202) 554-1404. US Department of Labor. OSHA Regulations. 29 CFR 1910.1001 “General Industry Asbestos Standard” and 29 CFR 1926.58 “Construction Industry Asbestos Standard”. June 1986; Amended September 1988. US Department of Labor. OSHA Regulations. 29 CFR 1910.134 “Respiratory Protection Standard. June 1974. Keyes, Dale L. and Chesson, Jean. A Guide to Monitoring Airborne Asbestos in Buildings. 1989. Environmental Sciences, Inc., 105 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson, Arizona 85705. Radon: US EPA. Cumulative Proficiency Report, Round 6 1990. List of laboratories which have demonstrated competence in radon measurement analysis. Contact: National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161 (703)-487-4850 Volatile Organic Compounds: US EPA. 1988. Project Summary; Indoor Air Quality in Public Buildings: Volume I. Key findings of air quality mon oring research in four new public and commercial buildings: two homes for the elderly, an elementary school, and an office building. * US EPA. 1988. Project Summary; Indoor Air Quality in Public Buildings: Volume III Key findings of air quality monitoring research in six new public and commercial buildings: one hospital, two office buildings, two homes for the elderly, and an institute for governmental studies. * PCBs: US EPA. 1986. Transformers and the Risk of Fire: A Guide for Building Owners. OPA/86-O01. Available from National Toxics Hotline. 61 ORAFT ------- TRAINING American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). Indoor Air Quality courses held in conjunction with meetings. Open to AIHA members only. Contact: American Industrial Hygiene Association, P.O. Box 8390, 345 White Pond Drive, Akron, OH 44320. ASHRAE Professional Development Seminars on Indoor Air Quality. Contact: Education Coordinator, ASHRAE, 1791 Tullie Circle NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329. Honeywell, Inc. Indoor Air Quality Diagnostics Professional Training Course. offered two-three times annually. Contact: Honeywell Indoor Air Quality Diagnostics, MNO8- 2123, 82 Normandale Boulevard, Bloomington, MN 55437. (612)-921-3509. 62 t.dl ’t =ø !ij ------- Appendix A: I evekpin E aseIine Infcrmatkn - Scme Cimmen IA Measurements The following is a brief introduction to making measurements that might be needed in the course of developing an IAQ profile and an IAQ management plan. Emphasis has been placed on the parameters most commonly of interest in non-research studies, highlighting the more practical methods and noting some inappropriate tests to avoid. Simple I entiIation/Comtort Indications Carbon Dioxide (C0 2 ) as an Indicator of Ventilation CO 2 is a normal constituent of the atmosphere, but its concentration in indoor air can, under some test conditions, provide a good indication of the adequacy of ventilation. Comparison of peak CO 2 readings between rooms, between air handler zones, and at varying heights above the floor, may help to identify and diagnose various building ventilation deficiencies. Methodology: CO 2 can be measured with either a direct reading meter or a detector tube kit. CO 2 instrumentation for lAO use should have a range of at least 200 - 4000 ppm and an accuracy of within ± 10% at 1000 ppm. CO 2 measurements for ventilation should be collected away from any direct source (e.g. at least two feet from the investigator’s or an occupant’s face). Individual measurements should be short-term (e.g. a 60-second averaging time). Measurements should be made when concentrations are expected to peak. If the occupant population is fairly stable during normal business hours, sampling in the mid- to-late-afternoon is recommended. Other sampling times may be necessary for differing occupancy patterns. Using the Results: Peak CO 2 values below 1000 ppm generally suggest adequate air exchange for the present occupancy and HVAC settings. This addresses Only routine products of human occupancy and not unusual contaminants. The relative occupancy and air 63 OR tFT ------- damper settings should be noted for each period of CO 2 testing. Higher concentrations can generally be expected if the space would become more crowded or the HVAC systems would adjust to provide a lower ventilation rate. Use of Smoke Tubes to Track Air Movement The release of heatless smoke from an air current tube kit can be helpful in evaluating HVAC systems. Smoke tubes can also help tracic potential contaminant movement and identify pressure differentials. Heatless smoke moves from a relatively positive room to a relatively negative room if there is an opening between them (e.g. door, utility penetration) Methodology: The air current tube kit consists of a tube which chemically generates smoke and a squeeze bulb. A small amount of smoke is released and its movement is observed, The smoke is extremely sensitive to air currents. Using the Results: Smoke released mid-room : Observation of a few puffs of smoke released in mid-room or mid-cubicle can help to visualize air circulation within the space. Dispersal of smoke in several seconds suggests good air circulation, while smoke that stays essentially still for several seconds suggests poor circulation. Poor air circulation may contribute to sick building syndrome (if it is accompanied by high peak CO 2 levels) or may contribute to comfort complaints even if there is sufficient overall air exchange. Smoke released near diffusers. grilles : Puffs of smoke released by HVAC vents give a ge’ieral idea of airflow (is it in or out? vigorous, sluggish, or no flow?). This is he(pful in evaluating the supply and return system and determining whether ventilation air actually reaches the breathing zone (for a VAV system, be sure to take into account how it is designed to modulate). BREAK FOR PHOTOGRAPH HOTOGRAPH The photograph above illustrates the use of heatless chemical smoke tubes to observe airflow patterns. 64 DRAFT ------- Temperature and Relative HumidIty as en Indicator of Comfort Methodology: Measurements can be made with a simple thermometer and sling psychrometer or with electronic sensors (e.g. a thermohygrometer). For each measurement, time should be allowed for the reading to stabilize to room conditions. (See chart on next page for guidance on interpreting temperature and relative humidity readings.) Using the Results: Measure next to thermostats to confirm calibration. Measure at the location of complaints to evaluate whether or not temperature and humidity at that location are within the comfort zone. Highly variable readings may indicate control or balance problems with the HVAC systems. Note also that warmer indoor temperatures may generate higher airborne levels of some contaminants. Thermal Mass Balance as an indicator of Outside Air Quantity Thermal mass balance measurements allow calculation of the amount of outside air that is introduced by a particular air handling unit. Use of this test requires the following conditions: 1) Air streams representing return air, outside air and mixed air (supply air before it has been heated or cooled) are accessible for separate measurement. This is easy in some ‘arge units, impossible in very large units and in many smaller units. 2) There is at least a several degree temperature difference between the building interior and the outside air. 3) Total air flow in the air handling system can be estimated. Methodology: The required temperature measurements can be made with a simple thermometer or an electronic sensor. Several measurements should be taken across each air stream and averaged. It is generally easy to obtain a good temperature reading in the outside air and return air streams. The mixed air’ stream, however, requires that a large number of measurements be taken and averaged. In large systems, it may be impossible to get a good average temperature reading for the mixed air. 65 ------- Using the Results: The percentage or quantity of outside air is calculated from average temperatures as follows: Outside air (percent) = Tmixed air - T return air T 1 g 5 j -T T mixed air -T return air T outside air -T returnair X HVAC capacity (in cfm) Where: I = temperature (degrees Fahrenheit) cfm = cubic feet per minute HVAC capacity refers to the total air supplied measured. Sc 20 ‘5 I0 5 0 -5 -10 w I- 4 0 z 0 0 0 55 -50 45 40 35 30 25 20 - IS 5 OPERATIVE by the air handling unit being 15 .0 0 0 0 .0 0 0 I- 4 >- I TEMPERATURE flpn I *ct,p sbk ri . n sf .p.rsd , w.p.cet.n 114 f.t pi c$.( I7 I . __ sad .l. II U$II. slstp ,ade.rn.,. 1.2 SU. Reprinted with permission from ASHRAE 55-1981, “Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy” 66 t LC) / T i._.’ ti—il ! I Outside air (in cfm) .c 70 65 60 0. 60 70 80 90F I I I I i i i i I i i i i I a__j 20 25 30C ------- Appendix i - IIVAC Systems and Indccr Air Cuaiit’y The term UHVAC system is used to refer to the equipment that provides heat, cooling, fresh air, and humidity control to maintain comfort conditions in a building. Not all HVAC systems fill all of these functions. Some buildings rely on natural ventilation, others lack mechanical heating or cooling equipment, and many function without humidity control. This appendix provides a brief introduction for building owners and managers who may be unfamiliar with the terminology and concepts associated with HVAC system design. HVAC systems range in complexity from independently-functioning units serving individual rooms to centrally-controlled systems serving entire large buildings. Some buildings use only natural ventilation or exhaust fans to remove odors and contaminants. In these buildings, indoor air quality problems may be associated with insufficient outdoor air or low air exchange rates, particularly during the heating season (when occupants tend to keep windows closed). Interior spaces often require year-round cooling to counteract the heat introduced by lighting, people, and equipment. Rooms with exterior wall or roof surfaces need to be heated or cooled as outdoor weather conditions change. Large, modern public and commercial buildings generally use a mechanical ventilation system to introduce outdoor air. Thermal comfort is maintained by mechanical equipment that distributes uconditioned (heated or cooled) air, sometimes supplemented by piping systems that carry steam, hot water, or chilled water to perimeter areas of the building. As this document is concerned with HVAC systems in reference to indoor air quality, the remainder of this discussion will focus on air systems. The basic components of an HVAC system that uses air to condition space are: • ductwork to convey the circulated air • one or more fans to move the air • a filter to remove particles from the air • terminal devices to distribute relatively clean supply air (e.g. grille, diffuser, etc.) and withdraw contaminated air 67 ------- heating and cooling coils to control air temperature • controls that direct the operation of the system The illustration below shows the general relationship between these components; however, many variations are possible. supply ductwork heating coil served by hot water or steam piping (could also be electric resistance) Schematic of an Air Circulation System with Heating and Cooling Ductwork Air circulation systems can move air through ducts that are constructed to be relatively airtight. Airflow in ductwork is determined by the size of the duct opening and the velocity of the air through the duct. HVAC designs may also utilize elements of the building construction as part of the air distribution system. 68 P/ FT return air return wall exhaust supply air air chilled water piping ------- if a ceiling plenum is used for the collection of return air, openings into the ceiling plenum created by the removal of ceiling tiles can disrupt airflow patterns. It is particularly important to maintain the integrity of the ceiling over areas that should be exhausted, such as supply closets, bathrooms, and chemical storage areas. Dampers are used as controls to restrict airflow. Damper positions may be relatively fixed (e.g. set manually during system testing and balancing) or may change in response to signals from the control system. When dampers that regulate the intake of outdoor air are arranged to modulate, they are usually designed to bring in a minimum amount of outside air under extreme temperature conditions and to open as outdoor temperatures approach the design (goal) indoor temperature. Indoor air quality problems may result if the outside air damper is not operating properly, if the system is not arranged to allow the introduction of sufficient outdoor air for the current use of the building, or if the location of the outdoor air intake promotes the introduction of contaminants (e.g. from dumpsters or loading docks). Fans Effective air delivery by a mechanical system requires proper coordination between fan selection and duct layout. Fan performance is expressed as the ability to move a given quantity of air at a given resistance or static pressure (measured in inches of water gauge). The static pressure in a system is calculated using factors for duct length, speed of air movement and changes in direction of air movement. It is typical to find some differences between the original design and the final installation, as ductwork must share limited space with structural members and other Uhidden elements of the building system such as electrical conduit and plumbing piping. Air distribution problems can occur, particularly at the end of duct runs, if departures from the original design increase the friction in the system to a point that approaches the limit of fan performance. Terminal Devices Thermal comfort and effective contaminant removal demand that air delivered into a conditioned space be well-distributed within that space. Terminal devices are the supply diffusers, return and exhaust grilles, and associated dampers and controls that are designed to distribute air within a room and collect it from that room. The number, design, and location of terminal devices are very important. They can cause a system with adequate capacity to produce unsatisfactory results, such as drafts, stagnant areas, or short-circuiting (i.e. air that fails to blend with room air as it moves from the supply diffuser to the return grille). Occupants who are uncomfortable 69 ------- because of drafts, stagnant air, or uneven temperature distribution may try to compensate by adjusting or blocking the flow of air from supply outlets. Problems can also be produced if the arrangement of movable partitions, shelving, or other furnishings interferes with airflow. Filters Filters are used to remove particles from the air. The type of filter used determines fts efficiency at removing particles of a given size. To maintain clean air in occupied spaces, filters must remove bacteria, pollens, insects, soot, dust, and dirt with an efficiency suited to the use of the building. It is recommended that filters used in office areas be 85% efficient. Filters require regular maintenance (cleaning or replacement). As a filter loads up with particles, it becomes more efficient at particle removal but increases the pressure drop through the system, therefore reducing airflow. Heating and Cooling Coils Heating and cooling coils are placed in the airstream to regulate the temperature of the air delivered to the conditioned space. Malfunctions in the coils can result in thermal discomfort, and leakage in piped systems can create moist conditions conducive to the growth of molds and fungus. Controls HVAC systems can be controlled manually or automatically. The control system can be used to switch fans on and off, regulate the temperature of air (or piped liquid) delivered to the conditioned space or modulate airflow by controlling fan speed and damper settings. Most large buildings use automatic controls, and many have very complex and sophisticated systems. Regular maintenance and calibration are required to keep controls in good operating order. A single air handling unit can serve more than one building area, if the areas served have similar heating, cooling, and ventilation needs or the control system compensates for differences in heating, cooling, and ventilation needs between the areas served. Areas regulated by a common control (e.g. a single thermostat) are referred to as zones. Thermal comfort problems can result if the design does not account for differences in heating and cooling loads between rooms that are in the same zone. This can easily occur if: • the cooling load in some area(s) within a zone changes due to an increased occupant population, increased lighting, or the introduction of new heat- producing equipment (e.g. computers, copiers) 70 _Ii J -) ------- • areas within a zone have different solar exposures. This can produce radiant heat gains and losses that, in turn, create unevenly distributed heating or cooling needs (e.g. as the sun angle changes daily and seasonally). Multiple zone systems can provide each zone with air at a different temperature by heating or cooling the airstream in each zone. An alternative approach is to deliver air at a constant temperature while either varying the volume of airflow or modulating room temperature with a supplementary system (e.g. perimeter hot water piping). Constant volume systems, as their name suggests, deliver a constant airflow to each space. These systems often operate with a fixed minimum percentage of outside air. If return and outdoor air are well-blended, it is possible to estimate the minimum flow of outdoor air to each space and compare it to ventilation guidelines such as ASHRAE 62-1989. Variable volume systems maintain thermal comfort by varying the amount of air delivered to each space. Underventilation can result if the system is not arranged to introduce at least a minimum quantity (as opposed to percentage) of outdoor air. Modern HVAC systems incorporate many additional components which have not been included in this brief introduction, even though they can affect indoor air quality. Further information can be obtained through using the L!es urces section of this document or through discussion with your facilities engineer. 71 ------- Appendi C - C mmcn IA I cIIutants and Indicators A wide range of contaminants can contribute to IAQ problems. Building investigators may measure one or more of the following substances based upon initial hypotheses pointing to a problem: Substances that are indicators of lAO problems • moisture (associated with biological growth) • carbon dioxide (associated with underventilation) • carbon monoxide (associated with improperly vented or re-entrained combustion gases) Pollutants • formaldehyde • tobacco smoke and other respirable particulates • nitrogen dioxide • ozone • total VOCs • radon • asbestos A pollutant and source inventory is likely to discover material which is not on the above lists. The variety of possible indoor processes and associated chemicals prevents any manageable list from being comprehensive. Moisture Moisture can be considered an IAQ contaminant in the sense that the presence of moisture promotes the growth of microorganisms such as mold and mildew. In addition to obvious reservoirs for microbiological growth (e.g. stagnant water in drip pans), microorganism growth occurs where water vapor condenses onto surfaces. Problem sftes include the relatively cool surfaces (and sometimes the interiors) of underinsulated exterior walls and areas around thermal breaks (e.g. beams above windows, balconies). Carpeting is also a common site of biological growth. See Appendk t for a discussion of indoor moisture. 72 ------- Carbon DIoxide Carbon dioxide, a product of respiration and combustion processes, is not a pollutant that is harmful at levels found in non-industrial setting; rather it is an indicator of inadequate ventilation. Reports of state M air or body odor are common complaints associated with underventilation. If the HVAC system is not removing the carbon dioxide associated with respiration by building occupants, other contaminants are also likely to be accumulating. Carbon dioxide measurements for the purpose of assessing ventilation are generally taken during periods of peak occupancy. See AppendIx A for a discussion of carbon dioxide measurement. Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide pollution occurs where combustion gases are not properly exhausted or are re-entrained into the building. The presence of carbon dioxide is often associated with other combustion gases. Carbon monoxide should be measured if there are complaints of exhaust odors or if there is some other reason to suspect a problem with combustion gases. Formaldehyde Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound (VOC) that is frequently emitted by new furnishings as well as by a wide variety of cleaning compounds, deodorants, adhesives, and other materials used in maintenance and housekeeping. IAQ complaints associated with formaldehyde or other VOCs are most commonly found under the following conditions: • new construction or new furnishings • underventilation See Appendl% A for a discussion of formaldehyde measurement. Tobacco smoke and other respirable partlcu!ates Tobacco smoke, dust-producing processes (e.g. renovation work), or inefficient filters can result in high levels of respirable particulates. Investigators should find out the smoking policy br the building and identify other internal sources of excessive dust. Examination of titters and dust accumulation in ductwork will reveal whether inefficient filtration seems to be a problem. 73 ------- Nitrogen Dioxide Nitrogen dioxide, like carbon monoxide, is an air pollutant associated with combustion processes. It should be measured if outdoor sources of combustion gases are suspected (e.g. if the exhaust plume from a nearby power plant may be polluting air outside the building). Ozone Ozone problems may occur if the outdoor ambient air quality is a problem or if where there are unvented indoor sources such as some types of photocopiers or electrostatic precipitators. Ozone should be measured if the investigator notices its characteristic odor or suspects its presence due to identified sources. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Formaldehyde is the best-known VOC in relation to indoor air quality problems, but many other related compounds are also emitted by building materials, furnishings, and supplies. If specific sources are identified, measurements of styrene, paradichlorobenzene, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, or other VOCs may be indicated. Radon Radon is a naturally-occurring odorless, colorless radioactive gas. Indoor radon problems generally occur where all of the following conditions are met: • radium levels in soils and bedrock near the building foundation provide a source of radon • there are cracks and openings below grade through which the gas can enter • pressure differentials between the building interior and exterior act to draw in soil gas It is also possible for indoor radon levels to be elevated due to emissions from groundwater (e.g. water from a private well) or building materials. Radon’s health effects are associated with long-term exposure and therefore will not come to the investigator’s attention as lAO complaints. Radon measurements are recommended if indoor radon levels in the geographic area of the building suggest a potential problem. See Appendh F and the I escurces section for further information on radon. 74 l) L:r ” _‘: ‘ri’ ------- Asbestos You may suspect the presence of asbestos in pipe or equipment insulation or other building materials noted during the onsite investigation. EPA urges building owners and managers to become familiar with the array of EPA guidance documents on asbestos before they decide what action to take with respect to with asbestos- containing materials. See Appendk E and the Pescurces section for further information about asbestos. 75 ------- Appendix I - MOIsture, Mcld and Mildew Molds and mildew are simple plants that grow on the surfaces of objects. Mold can discolor surfaces, lead to odor problems, deteriorate building materials and lead to allergic reactions in susceptible individuals as well as other potential health problems. The following conditions are necessary for mold growth to occur on surfaces: • mold spores must be present • nutrient base must be available (most surfaces contain nutrients) • temperature range above 40 degrees and below 100 degrees • relative humidity at surface above 70 per cent Of these conditions, relative humidity is the most practical to control. Spores are almost always present in outdoor and indoor air. Almost all of the commonly used construction materials can support mold growth, therefore control of available nutrients is limited. Human comfort constraints limit the use of temperature control. Relative humidity, although a common term, is often misunderstood. Furthermore, the factors which govern relative humidity are also typically misunderstood. The purpose of this appendix is to give building managers an understanding of the factors which govern relative humidity and to describe common moisture problems and their solutions. Background on Vapor Pressure, Relatiue Humiditg, and Condensation Air is capable of holding moisture in the vapor or gas phase. The amount of moisture contained in a unit of air, or the water vapor density, is referred to as the “absolute humidity” of the air. The amount of moisture air can hold, the air’s “vapor pressure” or “absolute humidity”, is dependent on the temperature of the air. The warmer air is, the greater the amount of moisture it can hold. The cooler air is, the less moisture it can hold. When air is holding the maximum amount its moisture it can hold, it is said to be saturated, or 100 percent filled with moisture. When air is holding one halt of the maximum capacity of moisture, the relative humidity of the air is said to be 50 percent. “Relative humidity” is defined as the amount of moisture contained in a unit of air compared to (or relative to), the maximum amount of moisture the unit of air can hold at a specific temperature. 76 fD h T ,j_iI E: ------- The relationship between temperature, relative humidity and vapor pressure can often be counter-intuitive. For example, cold air is not capable of holding very much moisture, and therefore has a low vapor pressure. However, some moisture in the air is usually present, and this small amount of moisture is often very close to the maximum amount of moisture the air can hold at that temperature. Frequently, therefore, cold and “dry” air has a low vapor pressure but a high relative humidity. A relative humidity reading taken inside an enclosure will not give an accurate indication of the actual amount of moisture present unless a temperature reading is taken at the same time. For example, the amount of moisture contained in air at 50 percent relative humidity at 70 degrees Fahrenheit is almost twice the amount of moisture contained in air at 50 percent relative humidity at 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The relationship between temperature, relative humidity and vapor pressure is typically presented graphically on a psychometric chart. To further complicate matters, relative humidity and temperature often vary within a room. Usually, the vapor pressure in room can be assumed to be uniform. However, one side of the room may be warm and the other side may be cool. The warm side of the room will therefore have a lower relative humidity than the cool side. If accurate measurement of moisture levels in enclosures are desired, temperature and relative humidity readings need to be taken simultaneously in same location. When the relative humidity at a surface reaches 100 per cent, condensation occurs. The colder the surface, the higher the relative humidity at that surface. The coldest surfaces in a room always have the highest relative humidities. The coldest surface in a room will likely be the location where condensation happens first, should the surface relative humidity rise to 100 percent. The coldest surface in a room is therefore referred to as the 0 first condensing surface”. The temperature of the first condensing surface is important because it usually sets the limit for the maximum vapor pressure which can exist in the enclosure. Taking Steps to fleduce Moisture Where surface relative humidities are maintained below 70 percent, mold and mildew growth can be controlled. Since relative humidities are dependant on both temperature and vapor pressure, mold and mildew control will be dependant on controlling both temperature and vapor pressure at surfaces. Controlling surface temperature dominated mold and mildew is best accomplished by increasing the temperature. Temperature can be increased by: 77 Lf iK I ------- • increasing the heat flow to the room; and/or • decreasing the heat flow out the room. Increasing the heat flow to the room can be as simple as leaving the room door open. The open door will promote air circulation, and the air circulation will carry heat into the room, warming the room and thereby reducing its relative humidity. Heating the room by installing an additional heat register in the room will also reduce room relative humidity. Reducing heat flow out of a room can be accomplished by insulating the exterior walls and by preventing the wind from short circuiting the thermal insulation as it blows ir)to the wall cavities. This air flow, sometimes called wind-washing,” is distinct from infiltration. Infiltration involves through-the-waIl” air movement, whereas Nwind washingN typically involves air flows entering a wall at one location at the exterior and exiting at some other location at the exterior. Wind-washing can be controlled by installing a tight building paper or tight sheathing on the exterior of the wall. Controlling vapor pressure dominated mold and mildew can be accomplished by actions aimed at: • source control • dilution and/or • dehumidification Source control involves controlling interior airborne levels through the control of moisture sources. Common example of source control are the direct venting of moisture generating activities to the exterior (e.g. washroom, laundry rooms). Dilution involves controlling interior airborne moisture levels by exchange of interior moisture-leaden air with exterior air which is drier? Dilution, which can occur through Nnatural M air change (uncontrolled infiltration and exfiltration) and/or through mechanical ventilation (controlled air change) utilizing fans or blowers, as a control strategy is limited to heating climates during heating seasons and is not available in cooling climates or during cooling periods. A common example of dilution control of interior moisture levels is the installation of an exhaust fan that operates on a timer or by dehumidistat control (when the moisture levels rise, the fan switches on). Dehumidification involves the removal of moisture from a space and usually involves the cooling of warm, moisture-laden air to reduce its ability to hold moisture. The air gives up moisture in the form of condensation. Dehumidification is often coupled with air conditioning and common in cooling climates or during the cooling season. A common example of dehumidification control of interior moisture levels is the installation of a dehumidifier in a room. 78 i/ T If ------- Importance of Distinguishing Between Causes of Mold and Mildew A surface temperature related mold problem may riot respond very well to increasing ventilation or air change, whereas a vapor pressure related mold problem may not respond well to increasing temperatures. Understanding which factor dominates, surface temperature or vapor pressure, will encourage the choice of effective control strategies. Consider an old, leaky, poorly insulated building in a heating climate which is suffering from mold and mildew. Since the building is leaky, it has a very high natural air change which dilutes interior airborne moisture levels and therefore maintains a very low interior vapor pressure. Providing mechanical ventilation in this building by installing a fan in an attempt to control interior mold and mildew will likely not be effective since the interior moisture levels are already low. Increasing surface temperatures by insulating the exterior walls, and thereby reducing surface relative humidities, would be a better strategy to control mold and mildew in this instance. BREAK FOR SIDEBAR S1DEBAR How To Identify The Cause of A Mold and Mildew Problem A classic example of relative humidity-caused biological contamination occurs when mold and mildew grow on the exterior wall surfaces of a room at the building perimeter at heating climate location. This example to illustrate how to identify whether a mold and mildew problem is caused by temperature or by water vapor. The heat loss in this exposed room is likely to be high and the room is likely to be si ificantly colder than adjoining rooms. if the vapor pressure in this room is the same as that in an adjacent room and the room is colder, then the relative humidity in the room will be much higher than the relative humidity in the adjacent room. If the room experiences mold and mildew growth, we can conclude that the relative humidity on the surface of the mom is greater than 70 percent. However, is the relative humidity above 70 percent because the room is too cold, or is it because there is too much moisture present (high vapor pressure) in the room? To answer this question, the amount of moisture (i.e. vapor pressure) in the enclosures needs to be determined. This can be done by measuring both the temperature and relative humidity intheroomatthesameplaceandattheSaifletilfle. Letusassumethatinthiscasearelative humidity of 30 percent is measured at a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This indicates that a relatively low amount of moisture (i.e. a relative low vapor pressure) exists in the room. Therefore we can conclude that since the amount of moisture in the room or vapor pressure is low, the reason the high relative humidity exists on the room surfaces (at least above 70 percent since mold is present) is due to the fact the room is “too cold. This can of course be confirmed by taking a temperature reading in the room. 79 DRAN ------- Considering the same room previously described. let us now assume in the second instance that a relative humidity of 50 pelcent at a tempei ture of 70 degrees Fahrenheit is measured. This indicates that a relatively high amount of moisture, or relatively high vapor pressure, exists in the room. Therefore we can conclude that since the amount of moisture in the room or vapor pressure is high, the reason the high relative humidity exists on the room surfaces (at least above 70 percent since mold is present) is due to the fact that there is “too much” moisture in the room. ldentilging and Correcting Common Fuomples of Mold and Mildew Exterior Corners Exterior corners are common locations for mold and mildew growth in heating climates because there are higher relative humidities at exterior corner surfaces than other parts of the envelope surface. Higher surface relative humidities at corners are caused by the fact that corners are colder than other parts of the building surface for one or more of the following reasons: • poor circulation • wind blowing through corner assemblies (“wind-washing”) • low insulation levels • greater surface area of heat loss. Sometimes rearranging furniture (removing obstructions) is all that is required to increase airflow at corners and control mold and mildew growth. Buildings with forced air heating systems and/or room ceiling fans have lower incidence of mold and mildew growth than buildings with low levels of air movement. Wind typically increases in velocity at corners and this often results in greater heat loss at corner surfaces. When this wind enters corner assemblies and blows through the thermal insulation (wind-washing the insulation), significant cooling of interior surfaces can occur. “Set Back” Thermostats Set back thermostats are commonly utilized in heating climates to reduce energy consumption during the heating season. Building temperatures are dropped at night when occupants are absent and raised to “normal” comfort levels shortly before occupants arrive. The set back thermostat does not alter the vapor pressure (moisture levels do not go up), but the set back thermostat does increases the relative humidity by cooling the air in the enclosure. This increase in relative humidity can result in mold and mildew growth at cool surfaces. 80 _ ------- Maintaining a building enclosure at too low a temperature can have the same effect as a set back thermostat. Heating climate mold and mildew can be controlled in may instances by increasing interior temperatures during heating periods. Unfortunately, raising the temperature during the heating season also increases energy consumption. Air Conditioned Spaces The problems of mold and mildew can be as extensive in cooling climates as in heating climates. The same principles apply: either surfaces are too cold or the moisture levels are too high. When exterior hot air is cooled, its relative humidity increases. If the exterior hot air is also humid, cooling this air will typically raise its relative humidity above the point at which mold growth can occur (70 percent). A common example of mold growlh can be found in rooms in cooling climates where air conditioned cold” air is blown M against the interior surface of an exterior wall due to poor duct design, diffuser ‘ocation, or diffuser performance. This creates a cold spot at the interior gypsum board. Although this cold air is typically dehumidified before is supplied to the conditioned space, it can create a mold problem within the wall cavity. Exterior humid air comes in contact with the cavity side of the cooled interior gypsum board. Cooling this exterior hot, humid air raises its relative humidity above 70 percent and mold growth occurs. This is a particular a problem in rooms decorated with low maintenance interior finishes (e.g. impermeable wall coverings such as vinyl wallpaper) which can trap moisture between the interior finish and the gypsum board. When these interior finishes are coupled with cold spots and exterior moisture, mold growth can be rampant. Several solutions are possible, such as preventing the hot, humid exterior air from contacting the cold gypsum board (i.e., controlling the vapor pressure at the surface) or eliminating the cold spots (i.e., elevating the temperature of the surface), relocating ducts and diffusers. Increasing the room temperature so as to avoid M overcooling is also a solution. Fortunately, this time increasing temperature decreases energy consumption. Thermal Bridges The cooling of any surface leads to an increase in surface relative humidity which can lead to mold and mildew growth. Localized cooling of surfaces commonly occurs as a result of thermal bridgesN. Common examples of thermal bridges include uninsulated window lintels, edges of concrete floor slabs in commercial construction, and steel studs in a typical exterior frame walls. The steel studs have a greater conductivity to heat flow than the insulation in the exterior frame wall and therefore provide an easy path for heat to bridge M the wall. The result is a cold spot at the 81 ------- interior face of the gypsum board where it is in contact with the stud. Higher surface relative humidity can occur at the cold spot and can lead to mold and mildew growth. Sometimes marks on gypsum board are not due to mold and mildew growth but rather to dust. The higher the temperature of the dust particles, the faster they vibrate; the lower the temperature, the slower the movement. Dust particles are more likely to adhere to the cold spots on surfaces where the studs are in contact with the gypsum board than nearby warmer surfaces, hence leading to dust markings at thermal bridges. The use of insulating sheathings significantly reduces the impact of thermal bridges in building envelopes. Windows Windows are typically the coldest surfaces in a room and are therefore the location where condensation is most likely to occur, due to an increase in the interior airborne moisture level or a decrease in the exterior air temperature. (The exterior air temperature determines the temperature of the interior surface of the interior pane of glass.) The interior surface of a window in a room is often the first condensing surface in that room. Historically, to control condensation on window surfaces, window surface temperatures were raised with the use of storm windows or with the replacement of single glazed windows either by double glazed windows or by selective surface gas- filled windows. The colder the climate, the greater the thermal resistance of window surfaces, and the greater the sophistication of the glazing systems. As owners and occupants in heating climates began to humidify building enclosures during the heating season for comfort reasons, window surface temperatures have had to be raised to control condensation, hence the trends towards higher performance glazing systems. The advent of higher performance glazing systems has led to a greater incidence of moisture problems in heating climate building enclosures because these building enclosures can now be operated at higher interior vapor pressures (moisture levels) without visible surface condensation windows, which are the usual first condensing surfaces. In older building enclosures with less advanced glazing systems, visible condensation on the windows often alerted occupants to the need for ventilation to flush out interior moisture and so they opened the windows. The windows acted as “canaries TM for moisture and other indoor air pollutants. Concealed Condensation in or on Wall Cavities The use of thermal insulation in wall cavities increases interior surface 82 RAFt : ------- temperatures in heating climates and therefore reduces the likelihood of interior surface mold, mildew and condensation. However, the use of thermal insulation reduces the heat loss from the conditioned space into the wall cavities and therefore increases the temperatures of the wall cavities and therefore also increases the likelihood of concealed condensation within the wall cavities. The first condensing surface in a wall cavity in a heating climate is typically the interior surface of the exterior sheathing, namely the “back side” of plywood, or fiberboard. As the insulation value is increased in the wall cavities, so the potential for condensation. Concealed condensation can be controlled either by reducing the entry of moisture into the wall cavities (controlling vapor pressure at condensing surfaces) or by elevating the temperature of the first condensing surface or a combination of the two. Elevating the temperature of the first condensing surface in a heating climate wall assembly can be accomplished by installing insulation to the exterior of the first condensing surface. When insulating sheathings are installed on the exterior wall framing, they act like double glazing and warm everything to the interior of them. The first condensing surface in a cooling climate is typically the interior gypsum finish. Elevating the temperature of the first condensing surface in a cooling climate can be accomplished by installing insulating sheathing to the interior of the wall framing, between the wall framing and the interior gypsum board, rather than on the exterior of the wall framing as is done in a heating climate. 83 DRAF 1 ------- AppendIx [ - Asbestos NAsbestos describes six naturally occurring fibrous minerals found in certain types of rock formations. When mined and processed, asbestos is typically separated into very thin fibers that are normally invisible to the naked eye. They may remain in the air for many hours if released from asbestos-containing material (ACM) and may be inhaled during this time. Three specific diseases -- asbestosis (a fibrous scarring of the lungs), lung cancer, and mesothelioma (a cancer of the lining of the chest or abdominal cavity) -- have been linked to asbestos exposure. It may be twenty years or more before symptoms of these diseases appear. Mcst of the severe health problems resulting from asbestos exposure have been experienced by workers who held jobs where they were exposed to high levels of asbestos in the air over a prolonged period without presently-required worker protections. Asbestos fibers can be found nearly everywhere in our environment (usually at very low levels), and there is insufficient information concerning health effects at these low levels at the present time. This makes it difficult to accurately assess the magnitude of risk for building occupants, tenants, and building maintenance and custodial workers. Although in general the risk is likely to be negligible for occupants, health concerns remain, particularly for the building’s custodial and maintenance workers. Their jobs are likely to bring them into close proximity to ACM and may sometimes require them to disturb the ACM in the performance of maintenance activities. EPA estimates that iriable (easily crumbled) ACM can be found in an estimated 700,000 public and commercial buildings. About 500,000 of those buildings are believed to contain at least some damaged asbestos. Significantly damaged ACM is found primarily in building areas not generally accessible to the public, such as boiler and machinery room, where asbestos exposures generally would be limited to service and maintenance workers. However, if friable ACM is present in air plenums, it can be distributed throughout the building, thereby possibly exposing building occupants. When is asbestos a problem? Intact and undisturbed asbestos materials do not pose a health risk. The mere presence of asbestos in a building does not mean that the health of building occupants is endangered. ACM which is in good condition, and is not somehow damaged or disturbed, is not likely to release asbestos fiber into the air. When ACM is properly managed, release of asbestos fibers into the air is prevented or minimized, and the risk of asbestos-related disease can be reduced to a negligible level. In an effort to calm unwarranted fears that a number of people seem to have about the mere presence of asbestos in their buildings and to discourage the 84 ORAFfl ------- spontaneous decisions by some building owners to remove all ACM regardless of its condition, EPA is urging owners and occupants to keep in mind the following five facts: o Although asbestos j hazardous, the risk of asbestos-related disease depends upon exposure to airborne asbestos fibers. o Based upon available data, the average airborne asbestos levels in buildings seem to be very low. Accordingly, the health risk to most building occupants also appears to be very low. o Removal is often a building owner’s best course of action to reduce asbestos exposure. In fact, an improper removal can create a dangerous situation where none previously existed. o EPA only requires asbestos removal in order to prevent significant public exposure to air borne asbestos fibers during building demolition or renovation activities. o EPA does recommend a pro-active, in-place management program whenever asbestos-containing material is discovered. An in-place management program ensures that the day-to-day management of the building is carried out in a manner that minimizes the release of asbestos fibers into the air, and ensures that when asbestos fibers are released, either accidentally or intentionally, proper control and cleanup procedures are implemented. Such a program may be all that is necessary to control the release of asbestos fibers until the ACM in a building is scheduled to be disturbed by renovation or demolition activities. In some cases, an asbestos operation and maintenance program is more appropriate than other asbestos control strategies, including removal. For guidance on asbestos, building owners and managers are urged to become familiar with two EPA documents: Managing Asbestos in Place (published in 1990) and Guidance for Controlling Asbestos-Containing Materials in Buildings (published in 1985 and also known as the Purple Book). To obtain copies of these publications, write or call: TSCA Hotline U.S. EPA 401 M Street S.W. Washington D.C. 20450 (202) 382-1404 For a more complete listing of publications concerning asbestos, refer to the I escurces Sectkn in this document. 85 ------- AppendIx F - L?adcn Radon is a radioactive gas produced by the decay of radium. It occurs naturally in almost all soil and rock. Radon migrates through the soil and can enter buildngs through cracks or other openings in their foundations. Radon and its radioactive decay products can cause lung cancer. Data collected through radon surveys conducted jointly by EPA and 25 States have shown that radon is a widespread national health problem, affecting millions of homes nationwide. Initial studies in schools and large buildings indicate that a number of large buildings in the United States also have elevated radon levels. Citing results from numerous statewide studies, the EPA and the Surgeon General’s office have warned the public that radon is second only to smoking as a cause of lung cancer in America. In addition to informing the public about radon and encouraging citizens to take action to reduce risk, the EPA has worked to develop nationwide State and private sector capabilities to measure radon, and has also developed radon mitigation and prevention techniques. EPA technical guidance is currently being used successfully in homes, and more recently, in schools. The EPA has also worked extensively with builders, building inspectors, and Federal, State, and local code authorities to promote the adoption of radon prevention measures in new construction. As part of its effort to develop widespread State and private sector capability, the Environmental Protection Agency developed a voluntary proficiency program (Radon Measurement Proficiency Program, RMPP) for radon laboratories and commercial measurement firms. Since 1986, the radon measurement industry has grown from only 35 companies to more than 5,000 in 1989. The Agency is also providing technical assistance to State school officials on radon measurement, mitigation, and prevention in the nation’s schools. A listing of firms that are proficient in radon measurement is available through the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) in Springfield, VA. The NTIS order number for the Cumulative Proficiency Report, Round 6 is PB-90-187949. The report is available in microfiche and printed paper. To order, write or call: National Technical Information Service 5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161 (703)-487-4850 86 DRAFt ------- I 1A I I€ithtS This section of the document is a collection of the forms presented in the text. Some or all of theni may require adaptation to meet your specific needs. Blank formatted sheets are included for preparing your own HVAC CHECKLIST and POLLUTANT AND SOURCE INVENTORY. The forms are not numbered, but appear in the following sequence: COMPLAINT LOG OCCUPANT DATA SHEET OCCUPANT DIARY HVAC CHECKLIST (7 page form, followed by one blank formatted sheet) MAINTENANCE C ALENOAR POLLUTANT PATHWAY ASSESSMENT FORM (2 pages) POLLUTANT AND SOURCE INVENTORY (3 page form, followed by one blank formatted sheet) DRAFT ------- Building name/address_ COMPLALWF LOG Dates from ______ to ________ Date Location Complaint Complainant Comments Result Initials ------- OCCUPANf DATA SHEET Building nnme/address Date area Room O upancy Sp ia1 S isitivity (gr0Up5,mdi IdU ) Complaints? Comments Average Peak (number,Iime) ------- Name Pnmary Location in the building — OCCUPANT DIARY Phone On the form below, please record each occasion that you experience a symptom of ill-health or discomfort that you thinic may be linked to environmental conditions m the building. It is important that you record the time and date and your location within the building as accurately as possible, because that will help to identify conditions (e.g. equipment operation) that may be associated with your problem. Also, please try to describe the seventy of your symptoms (e.g. mild, severe) and their duration , the length of time that they persist. Any other observations that you think may help in identifying the cause of the problem should be noted in the column marked comments . Feel free to attach additional pages or use more than one line for each event if you need more room to record your observations. Tune/Date Location Symptom Sevent Duratioi Comments 2 F ------- HVAC CHECKLIST page 1 of 7 Building Thecked Inspected by Composient OK Needs Attention Not Checked Comments Fans location fan blades clean’ belts guarded’ belts properly tensioned’ excess vibration 9 corroded housing? controls working, calibrated 9 control setpoints correct 9 no pneumatic leaks’ Outside Air Intake location open dunng occupied hours” unobstructed’ g water, trash, pigeon droppings in VlCiWty ’ re-entrainment of odor” (describe) carryover of exhaust heat 9 cooling t er within 25 ft ’ exhaust within 25 fi’ trash compactor within 25 ft” near parking facility, busy road, loading dock? For VAV systems Is OA reset as total system air is throttled 9 Bird screen unobstructed’ good condition 9 minimum l/2 mesh 9 pampers nd close freely’ seal when closed 9 actuators working’ ------- HVAC CHECKLIST page 2 of 7 Building Date Checked_______________ Inspected by Component OK Nee Is Attention Not Checked Comments Fan Chambers clean? rio trash or storage” no standing water? floor dkain traps &e wet (liquid seal)” no ai r leaks? doors close tightly, kept closed 9 Mixing Plenum clean” airt ightness - of outside air dampers” - of return air dampers” - of exhaust air dampers” all damper motors connected” all damper motors operational” air mixers or opposed blades” mixed air temp control set — freeze stat 9 Outside Air Quantity minimum percentage — — cfm/person at muiimum maximum percentage — normal operation mode is minimum O.A. a separate damper? Fillers correct type” complete coverage correct pressure drop’ bypassing? contaminants visible 9 washable 9 odor noticeable” Eliminators clean traight, no carry-over 9 J - I - ------- HVAC CHECKLIST page 3 of 7 Building r Thecked_______________ Inspected by ooent OK Nee Not Comments Attention Checked Heating Coil inspection access 9 clean 9 control (describe) supply water temperature — Reheat Coils clean 9 obstructed? operational’ Ductwork clean 7 sealed 9 no leaks, tight connections 9 fire dampers open 9 ‘s doors closed 9 AUCtS 9 flex duct connected, no tears 9 light troffer supply’ balanced (approx date) recent renovations 9 supply in ceiling? height of ceihng __________ short circwting ’ (note location) Pr urized ceiling no unintentional openings; tiles in pl e ’ supply diffi.isers open? supply diffusers balanced’ exhaust diffusers open’ noticeable flow of air? no short-circuiting’ ‘ ,iAirShafts ntentional openings 9 ts clean and dry’ ------- Building HVAC CHECKLIST page 4 of 7 Date Checked_______________ Inspected by Component OK Neek Attention Not Checked Comments Condensate Drip Pans accessible to inspect and clean clean no standing water, no leaks noticeable odor 9 visible growth 9 drains and traps clear, working trapped to air gap water ca yover Cooling Coil inspection access clean 9 control (describe) supply water temperature — Sprays all nozzles working complete coil coveinge pans clean, no overflow drains trapped biocide treatment working Humidifier pe clean 9 treated boiler wat& standing water visible growth mineral deposits control setpolnt high limit setpoint duct liner within 12 feet? Room Partitions full height dividers? partitions to floor? supply, return each mom 9 open office 9 ------- HVAC CHECKLIST page 5 of 7 Building D”- Checked_______________ Inspected by______________________ .. oent OK Nees k Not Comments Attention Checked Terminal Equipment housing interiors clean 9 unobstructed 9 control controls working 9 calibrated (date) delivering rated volume 9 filters in place 9 condensate pans clean, drain freely’ Thermostats type wall 7 return plenum 9 calibrated (date) I V mnical Room controls operational 9 controls calibrated? pneumatic controls 9 - compressor operational’ - air dryer operational? electric controls 9 DDC? - operator on site’ - controlled off-site? spare parts inventoried’ spare air filters? control drawing posted? PM schedule available? Boilers flues, bieeching tight? - purge cycle working’ d’ ‘ iskets tight’ . tem tight,_no leaks adequate combustion air source 9 Ot A T ------- HVAC CHECKLIS1 page 6of7 Building Date Checked________________ Inspected by ‘Component OK Neels Attention Not Checked Comments Exhaust Fans central di nbuted describe location operational make-up air ’ 1 toilet exhaust only” gravity relief 1 powered exhaust ’ 1 cfm toilet exhausts - fans working occupied hours ’ - registers open, clean” - make-up path adequate 9 - volume according to code 9 - floor drain traps kept wet 9 - bathrooms run slightly negative relative to building 9 garage ventilation - operates during peak traffic? -fans, controls, dampers all operate? • shafts clean, drain freely 9 - garage shghtly negative relative to building” - doors to building close tight? Stairwells doors close and latch ’ 1 no unintentional openings? clean, dry’ Chillers no refrigerant leaks? purge cycle normal? waste oil, refrigerant properly disposed of and spare refrigerant properly stored ’ 1 ------- HVAC CHECKLIST page7of7 Building Thecked________________ Inspected by ,,Ooent OK Nee Not Comments Attention Checked Cooling Tower sump clean’ no leaks, no overflow? eliminators working, no carryover? no slime or algae 9 biocide treatment working? dirt separator working’ DRAFT ------- HVAC CHECKLIST Building flate Checked Inspected by page — of_ . imponent OK Nee Attention Not Checked Comments , II AF ------- MAINTENANCE CALENDAR Building nazne/a&fress - Inspector - Components Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Outdoor air intake Bird screen Mixing plenum Outdoor air quantity Filters Heating coils Cooling coils Humidifier Fans Air distribution Ternitnnl box Mechanical room Return plenum ------- POLLUTANT PATHWAY ASSESSMENT FORM page 1 of 2 Building name/address _____________________________ Investigator Complaint Area This form should be accompanied by a sketch plan of the complaint area and surrounding spaces. Doors, windows, diffusers, and other openings should be labelled on the plan so that your observations are clearly referenced to specific locations. Date and tIme of observations:____________________________________________________ Weather conditions: temperature windspeed and direction _____________ humidity ________ other observations ____________________________ Equipment List equipment operating in (or servicing) the complaint area and surrounding spaces and indicate whether ills operating while pressure differentials are being measured. ttmay be helpful to turn equipment on and off, open and close doors or windows, or perform other manipulations in an attempt to simulate conditions at the time that complaints occur. HVAC equipment: Air handler(s)_____________________________________ Other fans _________________________________________________________________ Other eqwpment: Pathways : Note pathways by which pollutants may be entering the space from surrounding areas. These may assist in defining the problem area and identifying pollutant sources. Other rooms served by same air handJer _____________________________________________ Surrounding spaces (including outdoors): _______________________________________________ Use chemical smoke to observe airflow at intentional and accidental openings into the complaint area. A checklist of typical openings is provided below. Use additional pages as needed. If a manometer is used, record the pressure differential in the middle column. Architectural openings : — doors (note: open or closed) — transoms — windows (note: open or closed) stairways — utility chases — floor drains — cracks and holes Mechanical openings : supply diffusers — return diffusers — exhaust intakes Opening Direction of smoke movement Comments D AF ------- POLLUTANT PATHWAY ASSESSMENT FORM Investigator Building name/address Complamt Area — page 2o12 ------- POLLUTANT AND SOURCE INVENThRY page 1 of 3 Building nanie/address________________ Date______ Investigator Ag the list of potential source categones below, record any indications of conti minat1on or suspected pollutants that may require further investigation or treatment. Sources of contamina tion may be constant or intermittent or may be linked to smIle, unrepeated events. For intermittent sources, tiy to indicate the time of peak activity or contaminant production. Source Category Checked Needs Attention Comments Sources outside the building Contaminated ambient air -pollen,dust • industrial contaminants Emissions from nearby sources - vehicle exhaust_(parking garages, loading docks, roads) - dumpsters - construction/demolition - re-entrained exhaust - debris near O.A. intake Soil_gas • moisture -radon - leaking underground tanks - previous use of the site Other Equipment HVAC system equipment, supplies - dust or dirt in ducts • microbial growth in ducts - microbial growth at drip pans, chillers, humidifiers - leaks of treated boiler water Non-HVAC system equipment and/or supplies (e.g office equipment such as wet-process copiers) lther rr ------- POLLUTANT AND SOURCE INVENTORY 2 of 3 Building name/address________________ Date______ Investigator Using the list of potential source categories below, record any mthcations of contamination or suspected pollutants that may require further investigation or treatment. Sources of contamination may be constant or intermittent or may be linked to single, unrepeated events. For intermittent sources, try to indicate the time of peak activity or contaminant production. Source Category Checked Needs Attention Comments Human activities Smoking Personal activities - overcrowding (e.g. body odor) - cosmetics Housekeeping activities - cleaning materials - cleaning_procedures - stored_supplies - stored refuse Maintenance activities - volatile compounds (e.g. paint, caulk, adhesives) - biocides (pest control) - stored supplies Other Bldg Components!Furnishings Dust and fibers - dust-catching areas (e.g. shelves) - deteriorated furnishings Unsanitary conditions/water damage - microbial growth on or in soiled or water-damaged_furnishings Chemicals released from building components or furnishings - volatile compounds - asbestos-containing materials Other ------- Building nameladdress. POLLUTANT AND SOURCE INVENTORY Date Tnv ch tnr page 3 of 3 Ag the hst of potential sowce categories below, record any indications of contamin2tlon or suspected pollutants that may require further investigation or treatment. Sources of conti min non may be constant or intermittent or may be linked to single, unrepeated events. For intermittent sources, try to indicate the time of peak activity or contaminant production. DRAH j Source Category Checked Needs Attention Comments Other Sources Accidental events - spills (e.g. water, chemicals, beverages) - water leaks or flooding -_fire damage Special uselMixed use areas • smoking lounges - laboratories - print shops, art rooms - exercise rooms - beauty salons food preparation areas RedecoratingfRepa irlRemodellmg - emissions from new furmshings - dust, fibers from demolition - odors, volatile compounds ------- POLLUTANT AND SOURCE INVENTORY Building nameladdress Date_______ Investigator the list of potential source categories below, record any indications of contamination or suspected pollutants that may - iire further investiganon or tteatment. Sources of contamination may be constant or mtermiuent or may be linked to single, unrepeated events. For intermittent sources, try to indicate the time of peak activity or contaminant production. Source Category Checked Needs Attention Comments ------- |