IAQ 2016 Defining Indoor Air Quality: Policy, Standards and Best Practices Co-Organized by ASHRAE and AIVC

Building ventilation has long been recognized for its role in occupant health, comfort and productivity, with recommendations on ventilation rates first published in the 19^th century. These recommendations were transformed into more rigorous standards in the 20^th century, with the first version of ASHRAE Standard 62 published in 1973. Since that time, Standard 62 has dealt with an increasingly challenging range of issues as research and practice have progressed. This presentation reviews issues in the development of ASHRAE ventilation and IAQ standards, including: the scientific bases for ventilation requirements, airborne contaminant limits, indoor carbon dioxide concentrations, and performance-based design.

ISO JWG TC163-205 and CEN TC156 has in parallel developed similar standards for Indoor Environmental Quality (DIS-17772, prEN16798-1). An important part of these standards are recommended criteria for IAQ and ventilation rates to be used by design and input to energy performance calculations for buildings. The standards deal with both residential and non-residential buildings. The recommendations for acceptable indoor air quality and ventilation are specified as classes. This allows for national differences in the requirements and also for designing buildings for different quality levels, and will initiate a better dialogue between the client (builder, owner) and the designer.

Research on ventilation and IAQ is ongoing worldwide, and a better understanding of the impacts on human comfort, health, and productivity is continuously evolving. There have been considerable developments in ventilation and IAQ standards in Asia, primarily in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and South Korea. An important consideration for Asia is that hot and humid climates have an inherent energy penalty for conditioning outdoor air. This talk reviews current developments in IAQ Standards in Asia and highlights some key aspects that are unique to this part of the world.

The large majority of countries have standards, guidelines and/or regulations related to ventilation and airtightness in buildings. In most cases, they are autonomous documents, but in some cases they are part of minimum indoor climate requirements imposed as part of energy performance requirements. What is the situation on the ground? What procedures exist in case of non-compliance? To what extent are these specifications driving the industry? Do they stimulate innovation? Are they a barrier for innovation? These topics will be covered in the presentation.

IAQ guidance from the US Environmental Protection Agency is available for homes, schools, and commercial buildings. The guidance is and has always been voluntary. EPA’s aim is to ensure that IAQ is an important consideration in building design, operation, construction, and maintenance. EPA recently completed a new suite of guidance materials which cover how to weatherize or remodel a building to save energy while maintaining IAQ. The latest addition to EPA’s guidance is entitled Energy Savings Plus Health: Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for Multifamily Building Upgrades. As building guidance, codes, and standards evolve, IAQ and health considerations must be included.

Current ventilation standards define required outdoor air rates based on sensory discomfort, while assuming that these rates will also protect against health potential risks. It is relevant to ask whether these standards need revision and/or extension, and whether health instead of sensory discomfort should be used to define ventilation requirements. However, ventilation is only a measure to control exposures, and it is these exposures (not ventilation) that are related to health. An example of a framework for establishing health-based ventilation standards will be presented. Moreover, the strengths and weaknesses of research connecting ventilation with health will be discussed.

Discussion on IAQ standards around the world.