Outlines a project to promote greater consideration of indoor air quality during building design. The project was commissioned to develop guidance on assessing the overall external pollution burden on a building and techniques for minimising indoor pollution from external sources. The guidance focuses on non-domestic buildings. It is nearing completion and is based on three main groups of pollution sources - long-range, intermediate-range and short-range.
States that an air filter can prevent sources of infection entering the ventilation system. It keeps the ventilation system in good condition, and maintains the air flow rate, the temperature and the RH for which is has been designed. It also keeps the efficiency of the heat exchangers at a high level. The same areas of attention should apply to both the return system and the supply system.
Describes the indoor air quality remediation of a US elementary school. The school was in a poor state, with very high humidity levels due to steam from the boilers infiltrating walls and crawlspaces and roof leaks. Cockroaches and birds had entered the building. Leaking chemical drums were found in the basement. There were high rates of respiratory illness and absenteeism. The remediation included eliminating extensive mould in the wall cavities, repairing roof leaks and adding a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
Describes an investigation of the indoor air quality of a music company at their New York City office. The office was on the 31st floor of a block. Recommendations for producing better IAQ were as follows: 1) Recalibrate return airflows where needed to harmonise them with the values specified in the HVAC system design. At the same time verify and adjust airflows from the supply-air diffusers. The amount of outdoor air should comply with the ASHRAE Standard 62.1-1999 industry guideline of 20 ft2 per person per minute in offices.
This paper presents the result of a research carried out on the valuation method of ductworks hygienic condition. Both the methodology and the results of the samplings carried out on the HVAC systems of ten hospitals are presented. For every HVAC system the following characteristics have been checked: typological and building features, air filters characteristics and maintenance programmes. Upon inspections openings carrying out, air dust concentration, dust on the duct surface, total and specific microbial concentration from the outdoor air inlet to the air intake have been sampled.
The Field and Laboratory Emision Cell (FLEC) was presented for the first time at the Healthy Buildings Conference in 1991. The FLEC is now used worldwide for many different applications that are related to emission testing of building products. Several labelling schemes are now on the market using both the FLEC and more classic climate chambers to fulfil the increasing demand for more indoor environmentally friendly building products.
The Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department has recently launched a set of guidance notes on indoor air quality (IAQ) management for offices and public places. An IAQ Certification Programme will be conducted on a self-regulatory basis that is intended to divide IAQ in mechanically ventilated buildings into three classes. Due to the large number of buildings in Hong Kong and the associated cost implications, a simplified, operationally feasible and scientifically sound assessment has been developed.
States that the poor indoor air quality of US schools has become a real concern for students, parents and educators. This article discusses why the problem exists. A second article is to cover source management and mechanical controls, and a third will provide a summary and list addional resources. States that modern schools are differently designed; buildings used to be able to handle small, common rainwater leaks without growing mould because they were constructed of masonry, steel, ceramics and plaster.
To ensure good indoor air quality in buildings, filters are installed in the ventilation ducts. These filters cause a pressure drop in the ducts, so that increased power to the ventilation fans is required to maintain the flow of fresh air. To reduce this problem, the Norwegian company, Interfil, developed a new energy efficient filter in 1995. This filter has been carefully tested in recent years. The test results show that, compared to ordinary filters, the new filters could reduce fan power by about 10%, while maintaining indoor air quality.
New laboratory test methods using different dusts have been developed for measuring and classifying air filters but could give very misleading results compared with filter behavior in an installation. The paper describes the differences between laboratory tests and performances in atmospheric air. It provides a basis for a better understanding of air filters and filter testing to meet IAQ problems and to reflect a filters' behavior "in service".
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