Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

educe the exposure of the interior materials and finishes to moisture, inhibitinggrowth of molds and fungi on their surfaces. 28– Design the HVAC system installations with adequate access for inspections and regularhousekeeping, maintenance, and cleaning.– Design the air-distribution system for maximum ventilation effectiveness by ensuringthe proper location and performance of the air-supply and return diffusers, sothat sufficient air is delivered to occupants. 29– Arrange for independent professional testing, adjustment, and balancing of theHVAC system to assure proper operation for occupant comfort.– Implement a building-commissioning program to ensure good IAQ and energy efficiencyas described in the ASHRAE guidelines. 3 0 (See Chapter 15, “BuildingCommissioning,” for a detailed description of the three-step process.)– Implement an operations and maintenance plan for the HVAC equipment. (See thesection on “Building Maintenance” below and Chapter 21, “Building Operationsand Maintenance.”)(See also Chapter 12, “HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems,” for additionalinformation.)Occupant Activity ControlSome indoor air quality problems can occur when the interior thermal load (heat) generatedby the occupants, their activities, and their equipment exceeds the HVAC system’scapacity to control the heating and cooling to ventilate the space. For example, if theHVAC system in a room is designed to provide adequate ventilation for three occupantsand three personal computers, and there are actually six occupants and six computers inthe room, the HVAC system may not be able to provide sufficient ventilation to cool theroom and dissipate all environmental pollutants. Occupant activities may also generateodor and may cause VOCs to be released into the air. People and pets also producemicroorganisms and allergens in the indoor air. Possible strategies for occupant activitycontrol are listed below:❑ Implement a building commissioning program similar to the three-step commissioningprocess (see Chapter 15, “Building Commissioning”).Design the HVAC system capacity to provide sufficient outside air for the projectedbuilding population and the anticipated heat-producing equipment. Prepare theHVAC system design documentation and design criteria accordingly. These documents,provided to the building operators, specify the maximum building populationand permissible equipment designated by the design parameters of the HVAC systems.❑ Consider the use of carbon dioxide (CO 2) and VOC sensors in the occupied spaces.These monitors should be linked to the building or energy-management-system computer,which can be used to regulate the quantity of outside air needed to ventilate thebuilding based on actual occupant-load conditions.❑ Implement a no-smoking rule from the commencement of construction throughthe life of the building.Note that some cities have local ordinances that regulate smoking in occupied buildings.(See also Chapter 15, “Building Commissioning,” for more information.)Building MaintenanceAir quality in poorly maintained buildings can deteriorate quickly. Materials, products,furniture, and HVAC systems need regular maintenance, cleaning, and inspections toensure that they function as designed and to prevent indoor contaminants from developingin these locations. Other potential problems result from the use of pesticides, microbialgrowth caused by moisture within the building, and the emission of sewer gas wherefloor drains are concealed. Strategies for building maintenance are discussed below.❑ Select easy-to-maintain building materials and systems.For example, stone floors with metal-grate entry mats are easier to clean than carpetsat building entrances.