Indoor Air QualityIndoor Air Quality

The Art of Building Science

smThe Art of Building Science

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The Importance of Indoor Air QualityThe Importance of Indoor Air Quality

Health

Safety

Comfort

Health:Occupant Respiratory ProblemsHealth:Occupant Respiratory Problems

!Asthma

!Allergies

SafetySafety

!Carbonmonoxide

!Back-drafting(fire safety)

!Radon

The strongest fans win

Exhaust Back-draft

ComfortComfort

!Controlled moisture/humidity levels

Sources of Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)Sources of Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

!Moisture

!Volatile organiccompounds (VOC)

!Combustion smoke

!Radon

!Mold spores, dust mites, pollen

!Airborne particles

Indoor Air QualityProduct CertificationIndoor Air QualityProduct Certification

!Look for theGreenGuard� sealon fiber glassinsulation products

Indoor Air QualityProblems and SolutionsIndoor Air QualityProblems and Solutions

!Poorly designed air distribution systems

!Competing air pressure

!Odors

!Attached garages

Problems Resulting from PoorlyDesigned Air Distribution SystemsProblems Resulting from PoorlyDesigned Air Distribution Systems

!Discomfort caused by improper airtemperature and/or humidity

!Discomfort caused by dust, mold sporesand pollen

HVAC Design SolutionsHVAC Design Solutions

!Seal ducting withappropriate masticadhesive or tape

HVAC Design SolutionsHVAC Design Solutions

!Locate ductingwithin theconditioned orsemi-conditionedspace

HVAC Design SolutionsHVAC Design Solutions

!Use ducted returns,not wall orfloor chases

HVAC Design SolutionsHVAC Design Solutions

!Design the HVAC system for propermoisture removal

!Use and maintain air filters

HVAC Design SolutionsHVAC Design Solutions

!Use duct liner orboard productswith enhancedsurfaces, likeToughGard� ES

Problems Caused by CompetingAir PressuresProblems Caused by CompetingAir Pressures

!Back draftingfurnace orfireplace

Problems Caused by CompetingAir PressuresProblems Caused by CompetingAir Pressures

!Combustionapplianceback-draft

Problems Caused by CompetingAir PressuresProblems Caused by CompetingAir Pressures

!Pressurizationtesting showspressuredifferentials

Air Pressure SolutionsAir Pressure Solutions

!Design balanced air distribution system

!Provide fresh air ventilation

!Use direct vent combustion systems

Odor ProblemsOdor Problems

!Cooking odors

!Combustion byproducts

!Bathroom odors

!Mold & mildew

Odor SolutionsOdor Solutions

!Natural ventilation

Odor SolutionsOdor Solutions

!Exhaust fan

Odor SolutionsOdor Solutions

!Mechanicallyinduced freshair ventilation

Odor SolutionsOdor Solutions

!Direct ventcombustionsystems

IAQ Problems in RoomsAdjacent to GaragesIAQ Problems in RoomsAdjacent to Garages

!Surface staining

IAQ Problems in RoomsAdjacent to GaragesIAQ Problems in RoomsAdjacent to Garages

!Spaceconnection

Room A

bove Gara

ge

Room A

bove Gara

geSeams Should

Be Sealed

Seams Should

Be Sealed

IAQ Problems in RoomsAdjacent to GaragesIAQ Problems in RoomsAdjacent to Garages

!Dangerouscombustionproducts

!Chemical odorsand fumes

IAQ Solutions in RoomsAdjacent to GaragesIAQ Solutions in RoomsAdjacent to Garages

!Create an effective air barrier

!Seal penetrations

!Maintain neutral or slightly positivehouse pressure

Healthful IAQ is Your ResponsibilityHealthful IAQ is Your ResponsibilityAmerican Lung Association

www.lungusa.org

Health Housewww.healthhouse.org/iaq

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)www.epa.gov.iaq

U.S. Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC)www.cpsc.gov

The American Indoor Air Quality Council (AIAQC)http://iaqcouncil.org

Indoor Air Quality Association, Inc.www.iaqa.org

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-ConditioningEngineers, Inc. (ASHRAE)

www.ashrae.org

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