Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

. ☛ SUGGESTED PRACTICES AND CHECKLISTIAdministrative Practices❑ Develop an IAQ construction management plan.The plan should consider the unique circumstances of the project—such as whether itis a new construction or a renovation (with or without building occupants), theplanned phasing of activities, and the possible impacts of activities on adjacent buildings—andthe cost and benefits of available options and approaches. In many cases,the specifics of a plan used for one building may not work for another. However, thepractices noted below may be applied to any building or project.❑ Identify potential health hazards and take necessary safety precautions, complywith all “right-to-know” requirements, and obtain MSDS information as necessary.❑ Isolate construction sites from occupied areas.Use barriers to prevent the migration of airborne pollutants from areas under construction,and to mitigate any construction noise that may disrupt occupant activities.Coordinate the installation of a barrier with ventilation measures so that airborne contaminantsare not dispersed through the HVAC system.❑ Schedule noxious work during off-hours.If effective controls for potential emissions cannot be practically implemented, scheduleactivities involving significant airborne pollutants during off-hours, when occupantsof the building or adjacent buildings will not be present. Coordinate thismeasure with ventilation measures, since pollutants need to be flushed out and awayfrom the affected area prior to reoccupancy. Ventilate the site with fresh outside airduring and immediately after the noxious activity.❑ Tailor IAQ management to the varying requirements of the constructionphasing plans.The construction process often requires different phases of work (different portions of abuilding renovated over time, or demolition of a portion of a building at a specificpoint in the schedule). The IAQ management plan needs to address the varyingrequirements of the phasing plan.❑ Sequence construction steps to minimize contaminant “sinks.”Wet construction materials—products such as paints, glues, and sealants—release theirhighest levels of VOCs during the curing period immediately after application, withlevels dipping sharply as curing progresses. Certain construction materials—fabric panels,carpets, ceiling tiles, furniture, and movable partition systems, for example—canact as “sinks” for these emissions, absorbing contaminants and then slowly releasingthem back into the building over time. Scheduling the application of wet materialsprior to the installation of materials known to be “sinks” can reduce the levels of contaminantsremaining after construction is completed. Ventilating the building duringthe application of wet products is equally critical to contamination reduction, as suchmaterials emit high levels of VOCs.❑ Test and inspect for potential contaminants (VOCs, particulates, and others).Perform tests and inspections to assess the effectiveness of contamination-mitigationstrategies and to make necessary adjustments to the IAQ management plan and itsimplementation.(See also Chapter 12, “HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems,” Chapter 13, “Indoor AirQuality,” and Chapter 15, “Building Commissioning.”)