EPA/NIOSH/Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility Managers

Building Air Quality
A Guide for Building Owners
and Facility Managers

EPA Publication No. 400/1-91/003
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 91-114

December 1991

CONTENTS (PDF format; 3 pages)

Forward (PDF format; 1 page)
Note to Building Owners and Facility Managers (PDF format; 4 pages)
Acknowledgements (PDF format; 3 pages)

TAB I: BASICS

Section 1: About this Document (PDF format; 4 pages)
Section 2: Factors Affecting Indoor Air Quality (PDF format; 8 pages)
- Sources of Indoor Air Contaminants
- HVAC System Design and Operation
- Pollutant Pathways and Driving Forces
- Building Occupants
Section 3: Effective Communication (PDF format; 5 pages)
- Communicating to Prevent IAQ Problems
- Communicating to Resolve IAQ Problems

TAB II: PREVENTING IAQ PROBLEMS

Section 4: Developing an IAQ Profile (PDF format; 11 pages)
- Skills Required to Create an IAQ Profile
- Steps in an IAQ Profile
Section 5: Managing Buildings for Good IAQ (PDF format; 13 pages)
- Developing an IAQ Management Plan

TAB III: RESOLVING IAQ PROBLEMS

Section 6: Diagnosing IAQ Problems (PDF format; 35 pages)
- Overview: Conducting an IAQ Investigation
- Initial Walkthrough
- Collecting Additional Information
- Collecting Information About Occupant Complaints
- Using the Occupant Data
- Collecting Information about the HVAC System
- Using the HVAC System Data
- Collecting Information about Pollutant Pathways and Driving Forces
- Using Pollutant Pathway Data
- Collecting Information on Pollutant Sources
- Using Pollutant Source Data
- Sampling Air for Contaminants and Indicators
- Complaints Due to Conditions Other Than Poor Air Quality
- Forming and Testing Hypotheses
Section 7: Mitigating IAQ Problems (PDF format; 24 pages)
- Background: Controlling Indoor Air Problems
- Sample Problems and Solutions
- Judging Proposed Mitigation Designs and Their Successes
Section 8: Hiring Professional Assistance to Solve an IAQ Problem (PDF format; 4 pages)
- Make Sure That Their Approach Fits Your Needs
- Selection Criteria

TAB IV: APPENDICES

Appendix A: Common IAQ Measurements - A General Guide (PDF format; 11 pages)
- Overview of Sampling Devices
- Simple Ventilation/Comfort Indications
- Air Contaminant Concentrations
Appendix B: HVAC Systems and Indoor Air Quality (PDF format; 19 pages)
- Background
- Types of HVAC Systems
- Basic Components of an HVAC System
- ASHRAE Standards and Guidelines
Appendix C: Moisture, Mold and Mildew (PDF format; 6 pages)
- Background on Relative Humidity, Vapor Pressure, and Condensation
- Taking Steps to Reduce Moisture
- Identifying and Correcting Common Problems from Mold and Mildew
Appendix D: Asbestos (PDF format; 4 pages)
- EPA and NIOSH Positions on Asbestos
- Programs for Managing Asbestos In-Place
- Where to Go for Additional Information
Appendix E: Radon (PDF format; 2 pages)
- Building Measurement, Diagnosis and Remediation
- Where to Go for Additional Information
Appendix F: Glossary and Acronyms (PDF format; 4 pages)
Appendix G: Resources (PDF format; 11 pages)
- Federal Agencies with Major IAQ Responsibilities
- Other Federal Agencies with Indoor Air Responsibilities
- State and Local Agencies
- Private Sector Contacts
- Publications
- Training

TAB V: INDOOR AIR QUALITY FORMS(PDF format; 1 page)

INDEX (PDF format; 5 pages)