Measuring Indoor Air Quality presented to AAFAME Members Nov. 14, 2017

Transcription

1 Measuring Indoor Air Quality presented to AAFAME Members Nov. 14, 2017

2 What is Indoor Air Quality? Appropriate IAQ can be defined as a function of three different components: 1) appropriate thermal comfort, 2) appropriate ventilation, and 3) control of airborne contaminants.

3 Occupant Perceptions of IAQ Perceived Discomfort Real or Imagined Always the Building First Building Management Not Concerned Escalation of Problem

4 The Four Ps of IAQ Pollutants Chemical, Biological, Particulate Pathways HVAC System, Doors, Elevator Shafts Pressure Positive, Negative, Neutral People The Real Key

5 Types of IAQ Responses Reactive - complaint driven Proactive managed and monitored Continuous - rigorous and regular

6 What are the most important detection instruments for IAQ? Eyes Visual observation of conditions Noses Odor detection in parts per trillion Senses Stuffy, Humid, Airy Ears Listen to occupants

7 Thermal Comfort Temperature Relative Humidity Air Flow

8 Temperature and Relative Humidity ASHRAE Standard 55 Guidelines Summer 73 to 79 Degrees F Winter 68 to 75 Degrees F Relative Humidity 30% to 60%

9 Thermal Comfort Instrumentation Temperature/Humidity Pens spot measurements Temperature/Humidity Monitors logging data Thermo-Anemometer measure air flow Smoke Tubes indicate air flow and pressure

10 Ventilation for IAQ ASHRAE Standard 62 guidelines Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as a surrogate gas Not more than 700 ppm over outdoor ambient CO2 levels Outdoor levels 380 to 420 ppm Not more than about 1100 ppm indoors Outside make-up air adjustments

11 Carbon Monoxide Not more than 9 ppm indoors PEL 35 ppm with ceiling of 200 ppm Enclosed covered garages Intakes for outdoor air make-up Vehicle idling and loading at docks Fuel-operated warehouse equipment

12 Instrumentation for CO2 and CO Installed Carbon Monoxide detectors Installed Carbon Dioxide loggers Logging instruments that combine Temp, rh, CO2, and CO into one sensor device

13 Noxious Odors Sewer line breaks and leaks Dry floor drain and sink P-traps Lack of adequate exhaust ventilation Natural gas leaks - odorant Outdoor entrainment from septic fields, waste treatment plants, landfills Organic decomposition

14 Measurements for Noxious Odors Methane Hydrogen Sulfide Ammonia Colorimetric Reaction Tubes Toxic Gas Detectors

15 Total Volatile Organic Compounds Cleaning compounds Printing operations Elevator hydraulic fluids Building Renovations paints, adhesives, carpeting, furnishings Deodorizers plug-ins and restroom dispensers People Generated perfumes, lotions, foods

16 Measuring TVOCs Complex mixture of hydrocarbons No PELs for TVOCs only individual compounds Individual compounds have extremely different PELs LEED standard of 500 ug/m3 for new buildings is stringent

17 Instrumentation for TVOCs PID / FID Detectors Specialized Sensors - incorporated into high value monitoring equipment Otherwise, customized sampling and lab analysis for specific compounds Best left to IAQ consultant

18 Particulates Dust Fiberglass Insect Parts Pollen Building Renovations gypsum, silica Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM)

19 Instrumentation for Particulates Laser Light Particle Counters Ultrafine Particle Counters Relatively Expensive Requires Annual Calibration Useful for Measuring Filtration Media Efficiency

20 Biological Contaminants Mold (Fungi) Bacteria Legionella Specialized Sampling Techniques Lab-Based Testing Complex Interpretation of Data Best left to IAQ Consultant

21 Texas Mold Rules Mold Program moved from TDSHS to TDLR November, 2017 Regulated greater than 25 square feet of materials that must be cleaned or removed Notification to TDLR required for > 25 sf Required to use licensed mold assessors and mold remediation contractors Waived for hurricane-affected Texas counties

22 What is 25 Contiguous Square Feet? Not the actual area of mold growth But interpreted by TDSHS as the area which must be removed or cleaned due to mold growth Actual mold growth can be much less than 25 square feet Removal and cleaning generally requires a buffer area (6 to 12 inches out) to be removed or cleaned

23 Testing and Investigation Services Comprehensive Investigations and Site Inspections IAQ Sampling and Testing Services Remedial Recommendations Detailed Remedial Scopes of Work Monitoring Remedial Activities Post-Remediation Clearance Testing Construction Indoor Air Quality Controls LEED EQ 3.2 Certification Testing