&EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Indoor airPLUS
CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS
EPA Indoor
airPLUS
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
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About the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications
These specifications were developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize new homes equipped
with a comprehensive set of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) features. They were developed with significant input from stakeholders,
based on best available science and information about risks associated with IAQ problems, and balanced with practical issues
of cost, builder production process compatibility, and verifiability. Although these measures were designed to help improve
IAQ in new homes compared with homes built to minimum code, they alone cannot prevent all IAQ problems. Occupant
behavior is also important. For example, smoking indoors would negatively affect IAQ and the performance of the specified
Indoor airPLUS measures. For more information, visit epa.gov/indoorairplus.
How to Qualify a Home for the Indoor airPLUS Label
Homes that comply with these specifications and are verified with a completed Indoor airPLUS
Verification Checklist can use Indoor airPLUS as a complementary label to ENERGY STAR for
New Homes. Only ENERGY STAR qualified homes are eligible for this label. Verification can be
completed during the ENERGY STAR inspection process, and must be conducted in accordance with
Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) Standards by a RESNET-accredited provider and Qualified homes earn the
must meet all applicable codes. Instructions for Indoor airPLUS verification are on the back page of the Indoor airPLUS label.
Verification Checklist. Place jt next to tne
ENERGY STAR label.
Terms Used in This Document
EXCEPTIONS to the requirements described in these construction specifications are noted as appropriate.
For climate exceptions, refer to the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Climate Zone map
(Figure 301.1) on the inside back cover. Climate Zone names may include a number for the temperature zone
and a letter for the moisture zone (e.g., Zone 3C refers to coastal California only).
NOTES provide additional information to clarify specification requirements.
ADVISORIES provide additional guidance to be considered, but are not specification requirements.
ABBREVIATIONS and REFERENCES used in these specifications are listed on pages 8 to 10.
PERFORMANCE TEST ALTERNATIVES describe alternate compliance approaches where performance testing
is practical and results are comparable to those of the prescriptive best practices required in the specification.
Table of Contents
Indoor airPLUS Verification Checklist i
Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications 1
1. Moisture Control 1
2. Radon Control 3
3. Pest Barriers 3
4. HVAC Systems 4
5. Combustion Pollutant Control 6
6. Low Emission Materials 7
7. Home Commissioning 7
Abbreviations 8
References 9
Climate Zones Map Inside Back Cover
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United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Indoor airPLUS Verification Checklist
Address or Div/Lot#:
City/State/Zip: Date:
Section
Moisture Control
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Requirements (see Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications for details)
N/A
Verified by
Builder
Rater
Water-Managed Site and Foundation
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
Site & foundation drainage: sloped grade, protected drain tile, & foundation floor drains
Capillary break below concrete slabs & in crawlspaces (Exception - see specification)
Foundation wall damp-proofed or water-proofed (Except for homes without below-grade walls)
Basements/crawlspaces insulated & conditioned (Exceptions - see specification)
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
Water-Managed Wall Assemblies
1.5
1.6
Continuous drainage plane behind exterior cladding, properly flashed to foundation
Window & door openings fully flashed
D
D
D
D
Water-Managed Roof Assemblies
1.7
1.8
1.9
1.10
Gutters/downspouts direct water a minimum of 5' from foundation (Except in dry climates)
Fully flashed roof/wall intersections (step & kick-out flashing) & roof penetrations
Bituminous membrane installed at valleys & penetrations (Except in dry climates)
Ice flashing installed at eaves (Except in Climate Zones 1 - 4)
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
Interior Water Management
1.11
1.12
1.13
2.1
2.2
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
Moisture-resistant materials/protective systems installed (i.e., flooring, tub/shower backing, & piping)
No vapor barriers installed on interior side of exterior walls with high condensation potential
No wet or water-damaged materials enclosed in building assemblies
Approved radon-resistant features installed (Exception - see specification)
Two radon test kits & instructions/guidance for follow-up actions provided for buyer (Advisory-see specification)
Foundation joints & penetrations sealed, including air-tight sump covers
Corrosion-proof rodent/bird screens installed at all openings that cannot be fully sealed (e.g., attic vents)
HVAC room loads calculated, documented; system design documented; coils matched
Duct system design documented & properly installed OR duct system tested (check box if tested) D
No air handling equipment or ductwork installed in garage; continuous air barrier required in adjacent assemblies
Rooms pressure balanced (using transfer grills or jump ducts) as required OR tested (check box if tested) D
Whole house ventilation system installed to meet ASHRAE 62.2 requirements
Local exhaust ventilation to outdoors installed for baths, kitchen, clothes dryers, central vacuum system, etc.
Central forced-air HVAC system(s) have minimum MERV 8 filter, no filter bypass, & no ozone generators
Additional dehumidification system(s) or central HVAC dehumidification controls installed (In warm-humid climates only)
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
Combustion Source Controls
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
Gas heat direct vented; oil heat & water heaters power vented or direct vented (Exceptions - see specifications)
Fireplaces/heating stoves vented outdoors & meet emissions/efficiency standards/restrictions
Certified CO alarms installed in each sleeping zone (e.g., common hallway) according to NFPA 720
Smoking prohibited in common areas; outside smoking at least 25' from building openings (Multi-family homes only)
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
Attached Garage Isolation
5.5
5.6
6.1
6.2
6.3
7.1
7.2
7.3
Common walls/ceilings (house & garage) air-sealed before insulation installed; house doors gasketed & closer installed
Exhaust fan (minimum 70 cfm, rated for continuous use) installed in garage & vented to outdoors (controls optional)
Certified low-formaldehyde pressed wood materials used (i.e., plywood, OSB, MDF, cabinetry)
Certified low-VOC or no-VOC interior paints & finishes used
Carpet, adhesives, & cushion qualify for CRI Green Label Plus or Green Label testing program
HVAC system & ductwork verified dry, clean, & properly installed
Home ventilated before occupancy OR initial ventilation instructions provided for buyer
Completed checklist & other required documentation provided for buyer
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
D
Rater/Provider: Builder:
Company: Company:
Signature: Signature:
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Guidance for Completing the Indoor airPLUS Verification Checklist:
I. Only ENERGY STAR qualified homes verified to comply with these specifications can earn the Indoor airPLUS label. See Indoor
airPLUS Construction Specifications for full descriptions of the requirements, terms, exceptions, abbreviations, references, and
climate map used in this checklist. Verification is not complete until this checklist is completed in full and signed.
2. Check one box per line. Check "N/A" for specifications that do not apply for specific conditions (e.g., climate) according to the
Exceptions described in the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications. Check either "Builder" or "Rater" for all other items
to indicate who verified each item. Items may be verified visually on site during construction, by reviewing photographs taken
during construction, by checking documentation, or through equivalent methods as appropriate. If using a performance testing
alternative to meet requirement 4.2 or 4.4, the box marked "Tested" must be checked and testing documentation must be pro-
vided in the Home Energy Rating System/Builder Option Package (HERS/BOP) file.
3. The rater who conducted the verification, or a responsible party from the rater's company, must sign the completed verification
checklist. The builder must sign the checklist if any items in the "Builder" column are checked, and by so doing accepts full
responsibility for verifying that those items meet Indoor airPLUS requirements.
4. The builder provides one copy of the completed and signed checklist for the buyer. The HERS/BOP provider or rater files a copy
with HERS/BOP and ENERGY STAR documentation (e.g., Thermal Bypass Checklist) for the home.
5. The checklist may be completed for a batch of homes using a RESNET-approved sampling protocol when qualifying homes as
ENERGY STAR. For example, if the approved sampling protocol requires rating one in seven homes, then the checklist will be
completed for the one home that was rated.
Note: The Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications are designed to help improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in new homes compared with homes built
to minimum code. These measures alone cannot prevent all IAQ problems; occupant behavior is a/so important. For example, smoking indoors would
negatively impact a home's IAQ and the performance of the specified Indoor airPLUS measures.
Notes:
For further information on the Indoor airPLUS program, visit epa.gov/indoorairplus.
Qualified homes earn the
Indoor airPLUS label.
Place it next to the
ENERGY STAR label.
ENERGYSTAR
All Indoor airPLUS qualified homes meet strict
guidelines for energy efficiency set by ENERGY STAR,
the nationally-recognized symbol for energy efficiency.
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Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications
1. Moisture Control
Note:
ENERGY STAR Thermal Bypass Checklist (TBC)
requirements are an integral part of the Indoor airPLUS
moisture control strategy. TBC requirements improve the
control of air and thermal flows through building assemblies,
which is critical to controlling water vapor migration and
condensation. Since TBC compliance and verification are
required for ENERGY STAR qualification, TBC requirements
are not re-stated in the Indoor airPLUS Construction
Specifications.
Water-Managed Site and Foundation
1.1 Provide site and foundation drainage as follows:
Slope patio slabs, walks and driveways a minimum of Vi in.
per ft. away from house, tamp back-fill to prevent settling,
AND slope the final grade away from the foundation at a
rate of l/z in. per ft. over a minimum distance of 10 ft.
Where setbacks limit space to less than 10 ft., provide swales
or drains designed to carry water away from the foundation.
Back-fill tamping is not required if proper drainage can be
achieved using non-settling compact soils, as determined
by a certified hydrologist, soil scientist, or engineer.
Install protected drain tile at the footings of basement
and crawlspace walls, level or sloped to discharge to
outside grade (daylight) or to a sump pump. The top of
each drain tile pipe must always be below the bottom of
the concrete slab or crawlspace floor. Each pipe shall be
surrounded with at least 6 inches of l/z to % in. washed or
clean gravel. The gravel layer shall be fully wrapped with
fabric cloth to prevent fouling of the drain tile. If a drain
tile discharges to daylight and radon-resistant features are
required (see Specification 2.1), install a check valve at
the drain tile outfall.
Install a drain or sump in basement and crawlspace
floors, discharging to daylight at least 10 ft. outside the
foundation or into an approved sewer system. Floor drains
are not required for slab-on-grade foundations.
1.2 Install capillary breaks as follows:
Beneath concrete slabs, including basement floors:
Install a 4 in. layer of ₯2 in. diameter or greater clean
aggregate, covered with 6 mil (or thicker) polyethylene
sheeting, overlapped 6 to 12 in. at the seams, and in
direct contact with the concrete slab above; OR
1.3
1.4
Install a 4 in. uniform layer of sand, overlain with a
layer or strips of geotextile drainage matting installed
according to the manufacturer's instructions, and
covered with polyethylene sheeting overlapped
6 to 12 in. at the seams.
Crawlspace floors:
Cover crawlspace floors with a concrete slab over 6 mil
(or thicker) polyethylene sheeting overlapped 6 to 12 in.
at the seams; OR
Cover crawlspace floors with 6 mil polyethylene
(10 mil recommended) sheeting, overlapped 6 to 12 in.
and sealed or taped at the seams and penetrations. The
sheeting shall be attached to walls and piers with adhesive
and furring strips.
Exceptions:
In areas of free-draining soilsidentified as Group 1 by
a certified hydrologist, soil scientist, or engineer through
a site visita gravel layer or geotextile matting is not
required under concrete slabs.
Polyethylene sheeting is not required in Dry (B) climates,
as defined by IECC Figure 301.1, unless the sheeting is
required for radon resistance (see Specification 2.1).
Damp-proof or waterproof exterior surfaces of below-grade
foundation walls as follows:
Poured concrete, concrete masonry, and insulated
concrete forms (ICFs) shall be finished with a damp-proof
coating; AND
Wood-framed walls shall be finished with trowel-on
mastic and polyethylene, or with other waterproofing
demonstrated to be equivalent.
Exceptions:
Houses without below-grade walls.
Insulate and condition basements and crawlspaces as follows:
Insulate crawlspace and basement perimeter walls
according to IRC Table N1102.1 or IECC Table 402.1.1
(also see Specification 1.12); AND
Seal crawlspace and basement perimeter walls to prevent
outside air infiltration; AND
Provide conditioned air at a rate not less than 1 cfm
per 50 s.f. of horizontal floor area. If radon-resistant
features are required (see Specification 2.1), do not
install exhaust ventilation, as described in IRC section
R408.3.2.1.
Indoor airPLUS CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS 1
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Exceptions:
Homes built in areas designated as flood zones
(conditioned crawlspaces are not recommended for use
in flood zones).
Raised pier foundation with no walls.
Dry climates, as defined by IECC Figure 301.1.
Marine climates, as defined by IECC Figure 301.1, if no
air handler or return ducts are installed in the crawlspace.
Note:
In each of the preceding exceptions, floors above unconditioned
spaces shall be insulated to the lECC-specified R-value and sealed
to prevent air infiltration,
Water-Managed Wall Assemblies
1.5 Install a continuous drainage plane behind exterior wall
cladding, AND install flashing or an equivalent drainage
system at the bottom of exterior walls to direct water away
from the drainage plane and foundation. Drainage plane
material shall overlap flashing and shall be fully sealed at
all penetrations. Any of the following systems meet this
requirement:
Monolithic weather-resistant barriers (i.e., house wrap),
shingled at horizontal joints and sealed or taped at all
joints; OR
Weather-resistant sheathings (e.g., faced rigid insulation),
fully taped at all "butt" joints; OR
Lapped shingle-style building paper or felt.
Note.-
Include weep holes for masonry veneer and weep screed for stucco
cladding systems, according to the manufacturer's specifications.
1.6 Fully flash all window and door openings, including
pan flashing at sills, side flashing that extends over pan
flashing, and top flashing that extends over side flashing.
Water-Managed Roof Assemblies
1.7 Direct roof water away from the house using gutters and
downspouts that empty into lateral piping that deposits
water on a sloping finish grade a minimum of 5 ft. from
the foundation. Roofs designed without gutters are
acceptable if they are designed to deposit rainwater to a
grade-level rock bed with waterproof liner and drain pipe
that deposits water on a sloping finish grade, as specified
above. When lot space limits or prevents required grading,
direct roof water to an underground catchment system (not
connected to the foundation drain system) that deposits
water a minimum of 10 ft. from the foundation. Rainwater-
harvesting systems may be used to meet this requirement
when they are designed to properly drain overflow, meeting
discharge-distance requirements above.
Exception:
Dry climates, as shown in IECC Figure 301.1.
1.8 Fully flash roof/wall intersections and all roof penetrations.
Install step flashing at all roof/wall intersections, except
metal and rubber membrane roofs, where continuous
flashing should be installed. "Kick-out" flashing shall
be installed at the low end of roof/wall intersections to
direct water away from walls, windows, and doors below.
In all cases, flashing shall extend at least 4 in. on the wall
surface above the roof deck and shall be integrated with
the drainage plane above (shingle style) to direct water
onto and not behind flashing. In addition, intersecting
wall siding should terminate a minimum of 1 in. above
the roof, or higher according to the manufacturer's
recommendations.
1.9 Install self-sealing bituminous membrane or the equivalent
at all valleys and roof decking penetrations for durability at
potential failure points.
Exception:
Dry climates, as shown in IECC Figure 301.1.
1.10 In colder climates (IECC Climate Zones 5 and higher),
install self-sealing bituminous membrane or the equivalent
("ice flashing") over the sheathing at eaves to provide
protection from ice dams. The ice flashing shall extend up
the roof plane from the eave to a point at least 2 ft. inside
the vertical plane of the exterior wall.
Exception:
Climate Zones 1 to 4, as shown in IECC Figure 301.1.
Interior Water Management
1.11 Install moisture-resistant materials and moisture-protective
systems in vulnerable areas. For example:
Install water-resistant hard-surface flooring in kitchens,
bathrooms, entryways, laundry areas, and utility rooms.
Do not install wall-to-wall carpet adjacent to toilets and
bathing fixtures (i.e., tubs and showers).
Install moisture-resistant backing material (i.e., cement
board or the equivalent, but not paper-faced wall board)
behind tub and shower enclosures.
Install all condensate discharge according to IRC section
M1411.3.
Insulate piping installed in exterior walls.
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1.12 Do not install continuous vapor barriers on the interior
side of exterior walls that have high condensation potential
(e.g., below-grade exterior walls in most climates and
above-grade exterior walls in warm-humid climates).
For the purpose of this specification, vapor barriers are
materials that have a perm rating of 0.1 or less (see
manufacturer's product specifications or 2005 ASHRAE
Handbook of Fundamentals, Chapter 25, Tables 7A and 7B).
1.13 Do not install building materials that have visible signs
of water damage or mold. In addition, interior walls shall
not be enclosed (e.g., with drywall) if either the framing
members or insulation has a high moisture content. For
wet-applied insulation, follow the manufacturer's drying
recommendations.
Advisory:
Lumber should not exceed 18% moisture content.
2. Radon Control
2.1 Homes built in EPA Radon Zone 1 (see epa.gov/radon/
zonemap.html) shall be constructed with approved
radon-resistant features according to EPA Building Radon
Out; NFPA 5000, Chapter 49; IRC, Appendix F; CABO,
Appendix F; orASTM E1465. The following requirements
shall be verified:
Capillary break installed according to Specification 1.2;
AND
A 3 or 4 in. diameter gas-tight vertical vent pipe,
clearly labeled "Radon Pipe" or "Radon System,"
connected to an open T-fitting in the aggregate layer (or
connected to geotextile drainage matting according to the
manufacturer's instructions) beneath the polyethylene
sheeting, extending up through the conditioned spaces
and terminating a minimum of 12 in. above the roof
opening. For crawlspaces, install at least 5 ft. of
horizontal perforated drain tile on either side of the
T-fitting, attached to the vertical radon vent pipe
beneath the sheeting and running parallel to the long
dimension of the house; AND
Radon fan installed in the attic (i.e., an active system)
OR an electrical receptacle installed in an accessible
attic location near the radon vent pipe (i.e., a passive
system) to facilitate future fan installation if
needed; AND
Foundation air sealing with polyurethane caulk or the
equivalent at all slab openings, penetrations, and control
or expansion joints. Sump covers also shall be air sealed
(e.g., mechanically attached with full gasket seal or
equivalent.)
Exception:
The Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications
recommend, but do not require, radon-resistant features for
homes built in EPA Radon Zones 2 and 3 unless required
by local building codes (see Advisory 1).
Advisories:
I. Elevated levels of radon have been found in homes
built in all three zones on EPA's Map of Radon Zones.
Consult your state's radon coordinator for current
information about radon in your area. Go to epa.gov/iaq/
whereyoulive.html and click on your state for contact
information.
2. If soil or groundwater contamination is suspected on
or near the building site (e.g., former industrial sites),
volatile contaminants or breakdown products may pose
an IAQ risk through soil gas intrusion. In such cases,
EPA recommends radon-resistant features consistent
with Specification 2.1, which can prevent the intrusion
of soil vapor into a house. See the EPA Vapor Intrusion
Primer or ASTM E2600 for more information, or consult
your state or tribal brownfield voluntary cleanup program
or environmental regulatory agency for information on
the risks of vapor intrusion in your area.
2.2 Provide two radon test kits designed for 48-hour exposures
for the buyers of homes in EPA Radon Zones 1 and 2,
including test kit instructions and EPA guidance on follow-
up actions to be taken in response to the test results.
Advisory:
The U.S. Surgeon General and EPA recommend that all
homes (including homes built in Radon Zone 3) be tested
for radon. Refer interested buyers to epa.gov/radon/ for
more information.
3. Pest Barriers
3.1 Minimize pathways for pest entry by sealing penetrations
and joints in and between the foundation and exterior
wall assemblies with blocking materials, foam, and
polyurethane caulk or the equivalent. Sump pit covers shall
be air sealed (e.g., mechanically attached with full gasket
seal or the equivalent).
Advisories:
1. Additional precautions should be taken in areas of
"Heavy" termite infestation probability (as identified by
IRC Figure 301.2[6]) as follows:
Foundation walls should be solid concrete or masonry
with a top course of solid block, bond beam, or
concrete-filled block; AND
Indoor airPLUS CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS 3
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Interior concrete slabs should be constructed with
6 x 6 in. welded wire fabric or the equivalent, and
concrete walls should be constructed with reinforcing
rods to reduce cracking; AND
Sill plates should be made of preservative-treated wood.
2. The following additional precautions should be taken
in areas of "Very Heavy" termite infestation probability
(as identified by IRC Figure 301.2[6]) i.e., Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina,
and parts of California and Texas:
Below-grade:
Foam plastic insulation should not be installed on the
exterior face of below-grade foundation walls or under
slabs.
Above-grade:
Foam plastic insulation installed on the exterior
of above-grade foundation walls should be kept a
minimum of 6 in. above the final grade and any
landscape bedding materials, and should be covered
with moisture-resistant, pest-proof material (e.g.,
fiber cement board or galvanized insect screen at the
bottom-edge of openings).
Foam plastic insulation applied to the interior side
of conditioned crawlspace walls should be kept a
minimum of 3 in. below the sill plate.
3.2 Provide corrosion-proof rodent/bird screens (e.g., copper or
stainless steel mesh) for all building openings that cannot
be fully sealed and caulked (e.g., ventilation system intake/
exhaust outlets and attic vent openings). This requirement
does not apply to clothes dryer vents.
4. HVAC Systems
Heating and Cooling Equipment
4.1 Heating and cooling design loads shall be determined for
each room according to ACCA Man J, ASHRAE Handbooks,
or equivalent software. Heating and cooling equipment
shall be properly sized and selected to meet the design
loads and accommodation must be made for pressure
drop from specified filter (see Specification 4.7). This
requirement shall be met by an ENERGY STAR HVAC
Ql Certificate (where available) OR verification of all the
following:
Documentation of design load calculations (i.e., load
calculation worksheet or software report), AND
System design documentation (i.e., sizing calculations
and equipment performance information), AND
Verification that outdoor and indoor coils match in
accordance with the AHRI Directory of Certified Product
Performance (ahridirectory.org).
4.2 Duct system(s) shall be designed according to ACCA
Man D, ASHRAE Handbooks, or equivalent software AND
installed to be substantially airtight, properly balanced, and
protected from construction debris. This requirement shall
be met by an ENERGY STAR HVAC Ql Certificate (where
available) OR verification of all the following prescriptive
requirements, OR the Performance Test Alternative below:
Design verified by appropriate documentation (i.e., duct-
sizing worksheet or annotated layout), AND
Duct system verified to meet the following additional
requirements:
Seams in the HVAC cabinet, plenum, and adjacent
ductwork shall be sealed with mastic systems, tape
that meets the applicable requirements of UL 181A
or UL 181B, or gasket systems.
Building cavities shall not be used as part of the
forced air supply or return systems.
Duct openings shall either be covered during construction
or vacuumed out thoroughly prior to installing registers,
grilles, and diffusers (see Specification 7.1).
Performance Test Alternative:
Room-by-room airflows balanced and verified within
+1-20% of calculated room airflows to meet design loads
(see Specification 4.1), except for baths, closets, and
pantries, AND
Duct system TOTAL leakage test no greater than 6 cfm per
100 s.f. of floor area (or 9% design fan flow), measured
at 25 Pa, with duct boots and air handler in place,
according to ASTM E1554, ASHRAE 152, or other
RESNET-approved method.
4.3 No air-handling equipment or ductwork shall be located
in garages.
Note:
Ducts and equipment may be located in framing spaces
or building cavities adjacent to garage walls or ceilings
if they are separated from the garage space with a
continuous air barrier (see ENERGY STAR Thermal Bypass
Checklist Guide).
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4.4 Room pressure differentials shall be minimized by
installing transfer grilles or jump ducts for any closed room
that does not have a dedicated return, except for baths,
kitchens, closets, pantries, and laundry rooms. The opening
size shall be 1 square in. capacity (grille area) per cfm of
supply (including free area undercut below door as part of
the area).
Performance Test Alternative:
Measured pressure differential no greater than 3 Pa
(0.012 in. w.c.) between closed rooms and adjacent
spaces that have a return.
Ventilation
4.5 Provide mechanical whole-house ventilation meeting all
ASHRAE 62.2 requirements. The following requirements
shall be visually verified:
Whole house mechanical ventilation system & controls
shall be installed to deliver the prescribed outdoor air
ventilation rate (ASHRAE 62.2 section 4), including
ventilation restrictions in ASHRAE 62.2 section 4.5 (e.g.,
not greater than 7.5 cfm/100 s.f. in "Warm-Humid"
climates as defined by IECC Figure 301.1); AND
Transfer air (i.e., air from adjacent dwelling units or
other spaces such as garages, crawlspaces, or attics)
shall not be used to meet ventilation requirements
(ASHRAE 62.2 section 6.1); AND
Outdoor air inlets shall be located a minimum of 10 ft.
from contaminant sources (ASHRAE 62.2 section 6.8);
AND
Airflow shall be tested to meet rated fan airflow (at
0.25 in. w.c.) OR verify duct(s) sized according to
the requirements of ASHRAE 62.2 Table 7.1 and the
manufacturer's design criteria (ASHRAE 62.2 section 7.3).
Note:
Outdoor air ducts connected to the return side of an air
handler shall be permitted as supply ventilation only if the
manufacturers' requirements for return air temperature are
met (e.g., most manufacturers recommend a minimum of
60 °F air flow across furnace heat exchangers).
4.6 Provide local exhaust ventilation to the outdoors for known
pollutant sources, as follows:
Provide local mechanical exhaust ventilation to the
outdoors in each bathroom and kitchen, meeting
ASHRAE 62.2 section 5 requirements. In addition,
all bathroom ventilation fans shall be ENERGY STAR
qualified unless multiple bathrooms are exhausted with
a multi-port fan.
Conventional clothes dryers shall be vented to the
outdoors. Electric condensing dryers are not vented
and shall be plumbed to a drain according to the
manufacturer's instructions.
If a central vacuum system is installed, the system shall
be vented outdoors at least 10 ft. from the ventilation
system air inlets (see Specification 4.5), or the power/
filtration unit shall be installed in the garage according
to the manufacturer's instructions.
Air Cleaning and Filtration
4.7 Central forced-air HVAC systems shall include a filtration
system meeting the following requirements:
HVAC filters shall be rated MERV 8 or higher according to
ASHRAE 52.2 (at approximately 295 fpm).
There shall be no visible bypass between the filter and
the filter rack.
The filter access panel shall include gasket material or
comparable sealing mechanism to prevent air leakage,
and it shall fit snugly against the exposed edge of the
installed filter when closed to prevent bypass.
No air-cleaning equipment designed to produce ozone
(i.e., ozone generators) shall be installed.
Advisory:
Filters perform best when the filter rack design includes
the following features, which are also included in some
manufacturers' filter media boxes:
Flexible, air-tight (e.g., closed-cell foam) gasket material
on the surface that contacts the air-leaving (downstream)
side of the filter, AND
Friction fit or spring clips installed on the upstream side
of the filter to hold it firmly in place.
Dehumidification
4.8 In "Warm-Humid" climates as defined by IECC Figure
301.1 (i.e., Climate Zone 1 and portions of Zones 2 and
3A below the white line), equipment shall be installed
with sufficient latent capacity to maintain indoor relative
humidity (RH) at or below 60%. This requirement shall be
met by either:
Additional dehumidification system(s), OR
A central HVAC system equipped with additional controls
to operate in dehumidification mode.
Exception:
Climate Zones 4-8, 3B, 3C, and the portions of 3A and 2B
above the white line as shown by IECC Figure 301.1.
Indoor airPLUS CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS 5
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Advisory:
Although not required to meet this specification,
independent dehumidification is recommended in Climate
Zones 4A and 3A above the white line as shown in IECC
Figure 301.1.
5. Combustion Pollutant Control
Combustion Source Controls
5.1 For combustion space-heating and water-heating
equipment located in conditioned spaces:
Gas-fired furnaces/boilers shall be direct vented, except
in Climate Zones 1-3 as shown in IECC Figure 301.1.
Oil-fired furnaces/boilers shall be power vented or direct
vented, except in Climate Zones 1-3 as shown in IECC
Figure 301.1.
Combustion water heaters shall be power vented or direct
vented.
No unvented combustion space-heating appliances shall
be permitted.
Exception:
Houses with no combustion heating equipment located in
conditioned spaces.
Note:
Unfinished basements and crawlspaces (except raised
pier foundations with no walls) and attached garages that
are air-sealed to the outside and intended for use as work
space or living space, are considered "conditioned spaces"
for the purpose of this requirement.
5.2 Fireplaces and other fuel-burning space-heating appliances
located in conditioned spaces shall be vented to the
outdoors and supplied with adequate combustion and
ventilation air according to the manufacturers' installation
instructions, AND they shall meet the following energy
efficiency and emissions standards and restrictions:
Masonry fireplaces are not permitted, with the exception
of "masonry heaters" as defined by ASTM E1602 and
section 2112.1 of the International Building Code (i.e.,
fireplaces engineered to store and release substantial
portions of heat generated from a rapid burn).
Factory-built, wood-burning fireplaces shall meet the
certification requirements of UL 127 and emission limits
found in the EPA Standard for New Residential Wood
Heaters.
5.3
5.4
Natural gas and propane fireplaces shall be power
vented or direct vented, as defined by NFPA 54, section
3.3.108, have a permanently affixed glass front or
gasketed door, and comply with ANSI Z21.88/CSA 2.33.
Wood stove and fireplace inserts as defined in section
3.8 of UL 1482 shall meet the certification requirements
of that standard, and they shall meet the emission
requirements of the EPA Standards for New Residential
Wood Heaters and WAC 173-433-100 (3).
Pellet stoves shall meet the requirements of ASTM
E1509.
Decorative gas logs as defined in K.I.11 of NFPA 54
(National Fuel Gas Code) are not permitted.
Unvented combustion space-heating appliances are not
permitted.
Advisory:
To minimize the potential for spillage or back-drafting,
fireplaces and fuel-burning appliances located in
conditioned spaces should be installed in compliance
with ASHRAE 62.2 (section 6.4) or by conducting a Worst
Case Depressurization Combustion Air Zone (CAZ) Test
according to an established protocol.
All homes equipped with combustion appliance(s) or an
attached garage shall have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm
installed in a central location in the immediate vicinity of
each separate sleeping zone (e.g., in a hallway adjacent to
bedrooms.) The alarm(s) shall be hard-wired with a battery
back-up function and placed according to NFPA 720. The
alarms shall be certified by either CSA 6.19-01 or UL 2034.
Reduce exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in
multi-family buildings by:
Prohibiting smoking in indoor common areas, specified
explicitly in building rental/lease agreements or condo/co-
op association covenants and restrictions, AND
Locating designated outdoor smoking areas a minimum
of 25 ft. from entries, outdoor air intakes, and operable
windows, AND
Minimizing uncontrolled pathways for ETS transfer
between individual dwelling units by sealing penetrations
in the walls, ceilings, and floors of dwelling units, sealing
vertical chases adjacent to dwelling units, and applying
weather stripping to all doors in dwelling units leading to
common hallways.
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Attached Garage Isolation
5.5 A ttached garages shall be isolated from conditioned spaces
as follows:
Common walls and ceilings between attached garages
and living spaces shall be visually inspected to ensure
they are air-sealed before insulation is installed.
All connecting doors between living spaces and attached
garages shall include an automatic closer, and they shall
be installed with gasket material or be made substantially
air-tight with weather stripping.
5.6 Attached garages shall include an exhaust fan, with
a minimum installed capacity of 70 cfm, rated for
continuous operation, and installed to vent directly
outdoors. If automatic fan controls are installed, they shall
activate the fan whenever the garage is occupied and for at
least 1 hour after the garage has been vacated.
Advisory:
ENERGY STAR qualified fans are highly recommended.
6. Low-Emission Materials
Note:
The evaluation, certification, and labeling of products for
indoor VOC emissions is complex and evolving. EPA has
not established threshold levels for indoor VOC emissions
from any of the product categories addressed in these
specifications. The third-party programs referenced in
these specifications include U.S. programs that are
designed to reduce indoor human exposure to individual
VOCs of potential concern for human health effects,
compared to similar products not certified as low-VOC or
no-VOC. EPA will consider modifying these specifications
to include additional third-party programs
as appropriate.
6.1 Structural plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), and
composite wood products (i.e., hardwood plywood,
particleboard, medium density fiberboard [MDF], and
cabinetry made with these products) shall be third-
party certified for compliance with industry and federal
standards, as follows:
Structural plywood and OSB shall be certified compliant
with PS1 or PS2, as appropriate, and shall be made with
moisture-resistant adhesives as indicated by "Exposure 1"
or "Exterior" on the American Plywood Association (APA)
trademark.
Hardwood plywood shall be certified compliant with the
formaldehyde emissions requirements of ANSI/HPVA HP-
1-2004 and U.S. HUD Title 24, Part 3280, OR certified
compliant with CA Title 17.
Particleboard and MDF shall be certified compliant
with the formaldehyde emissions requirements of ANSI
A208.1 and A208.2, respectively, and U.S. HUD Title
24, Part 3280, OR certified compliant with EPPS CPA
3-08 by the CPA Grademark certification program, OR
certified compliant with CA Title 17.
Cabinetry shall be made with component materials that
are certified to comply with all the appropriate standards
above OR shall be registered brands or produced in
registered plants certified under KCMA's Environmental
Stewardship Certification Program (ESP 01-06).
Note:
In California, composite wood products shall be certified
compliant with CA Title 17 as appropriate.
6.2 Interior paints and finishes, including 90% or more of such
products applied to interior surfaces of homes, shall be
certified low-VOC or no-VOC by one of the following:
Green Seal Standard GS-11, OR
Greenguard Certification for Paints and Coatings, OR
Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) Standard EC-10.2-
2007, Indoor Advantage Gold, OR
Master Painters Institute (MPI) Green Performance
Standards GPS-1 or GPS-2, OR
A third-party low-emitting product list based on CA
Section 01350, e.g., the CHPS List at chps.net/manual/
lem_table.htm.
6.3 Carpets and carpet adhesives shall be labeled with, or
otherwise documented as meeting, the Carpet & Rug
Institute (CRI) Green Label Plus or Green Label testing
program criteria. Carpet cushion (i.e., padding) shall
similarly be certified to meet the CRI Green Label testing
program criteria.
7. Home Commissioning
7.1 HVAC systems and ductwork shall be verified to be dry
and clean and installed according to their design as
documented by an ENERGY STAR HVAC Ql Certificate
(where available) OR as follows:
Inspect ductwork before installing registers, grilles,
and diffusers to verify it is dry and substantially free
of dust or debris, and that there are no disconnects or
Indoor airPLUS CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS 7
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visible air gaps between boots and framed openings. If
duct openings were not covered during construction,
thoroughly vacuum out each opening prior to installing
registers, grilles, and diffusers.
Inspect air-handling equipment and verify that heat
exchangers/coils are free of dust caused by construction
activities (e.g., dry wall, floor sanding) AND the filter
is new, clean, and meets specified MERV rating (see
Specification 4.7). After installation of registers, grilles,
and diffusers, verify detectable airflow from each
supply outlet.
Verify the HVAC contractor has documented measured
airflow or pressure drop across the cooling coil or heat
exchanger within +/- 15% of system design airflow, or the
manufacturer-specified operating range, tested according
to ASTM El554, ASHRAE 152, or an equivalent method.
Verify the HVAC contractor has documented the
installation and testing of proper refrigerant charge. This
requirement may be met by any of the following methods
according to ACCA 5 QI-2007:
Superheat method test measurement within 5% of the
manufacturer-recommended charge, OR
Subcooling method test measurement within 3% of
the manufacturer-recommended charge, OR
Other equivalent method/tolerance approved by the
equipment manufacturer.
Note:
If weather conditions do not meet required test conditions,
verify that the builder or contractor has arranged for future
testing.
7.2 Verify that the home has been ventilated with outside
air at the highest rate practical during and shortly after
installing products that are known sources of contaminants
(e.g., cabinets, carpet padding, and painting) and during
the period between finishing and occupancy, meeting
ventilation requirements for outdoor air flow and humidity
control (see Specifications 4.5 and 4.8). If whole house
ventilation cannot be scheduled prior to occupancy,
advise the buyer to operate the ventilation system at the
highest rate it can provide during the first few months of
occupancy, meeting the above requirements.
Abbreviations
BOP Builder Option Package (ENERGY STAR for Homes)
cfm cubic feet per minute
fpm feet per minute
ft. feet
HERS Home Energy Rating System
HVAC heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning
IAQ indoor air quality
in. inches
mil common term to describe plastic sheeting thickness;
1 mil equals 0.001 inches
min. minimum
MERV Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value; defined
in ASHRAE 52.2
Pa Pascals
Ql Quality Installation (ENERGY STAR HVAC Ql)
s.f. square feet
spec specification
TBC Thermal Bypass Checklist
(ENERGY STAR for Homes)
VOC Volatile Organic Compound
w.c. water column
7.3 Provide for buyers a completed checklist and other
required documentation about the IAQ features of their
home, including:
A copy of the Indoor airPLUS verification checklist or
other written documentation indicating compliance
with all required measures from the Indoor airPLUS
construction specifications, signed by an official
representative of the builder, AND
HVAC, duct, and ventilation system design documentation
(i.e., airflow requirements) or performance test results
(i.e., measured cfm) required by Specifications 4.1,
4.2, and 4.5, respectively, and a description of the
ventilation system (i.e., system type, components, and
controls), AND
Operations and maintenance instruction manuals for all
installed equipment and systems addressed by Indoor
airPLUS requirements, including HVAC systems and
accessories, combustion appliances, and radon system
literature and test kit instructions.
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Indoor airPLUS CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS 9
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Ducts and Air Connectors. 2005. Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
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performance standards. 1993.
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United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Air and Radiation (6609J)
EPA 402/K-08/003 I January 2009
Homes with the Indoor airPLUS label
are designed for improved indoor air quality
compared to homes built to minimum code.
www.epa.gov/indoorairplus
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