Assessment of Indoor Air Quality and ASHRAE Standard 62

Today, laws and regulations play a major role in just about everything we do. The declining quality of the air in our buildings is causing movement towards regulations relating to how buildings should be designed and operated. It is important that designers and operators are aware of all current design and operating standards. ASHRAE Standard 62, "Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality" developed in l 989 and now under revision, has created new challenges for designers and engineers. This paper proposes a three-step approach to the determination and assessment of indoor air quality problems. Starting with a series of observations and inspections to be made during a building walk-through, progressing to simple measurements and finally taking necessary corrective action. In addition, the proposed changes to the ASHRAE Standard 62 in relation to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) have been reviewed, as these updated standards will influence the way buildings-new facilities, those undergoing renovation and existing facilities will be constructed and maintained in the years ahead.