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Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of the air within a space. A space with good indoor air quality is one that is well ventilated (with outside air) and that is not compromised by pollutants brought into the space or by pollutants off-gassed within the space. Strategies used to create good IAQ include bringing in 100% outside air, maintaining appropriate exhaust systems, complying with ASHRAE Standard 62.1, utilizing high efficiency MERV filters in the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, installing walk-off mats at entryways, prohibiting smoking with the space and near operable windows and air intakes, providing indoor plants, and using only low-emitting / non-toxic materials and green housekeeping products.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/

http://www.ashrae.org/technology/page/548

Learn & Plan Topics

  • Indoor Air Quality

    EPA studies indicate indoor levels of pollutants may be up to ten times higher than outdoor levels. Source: Environmental Protection Agency (2008). An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality. http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html

  • Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

    Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is most simply described as the conditions inside a building. It does not refer to the air quality alone, but the entire environmental quality of a space, which includes air quality, access to daylight and views, pleasant acoustic conditions, and occupant control over lighting and thermal comfort.

  • Improved IEQ Benefits

    Improvements in indoor environments are estimated to save $17-48 billion in total health gains and $20-160 billion in worker performance. Source: Fisk, W. (2000) Health and productivity gains from better indoor environments and their relationship with building energy efficiency. Annual Review of Energy and the Environment: 25, 537-66.

  • Sustainable Building Operations and Maintenance Services

    Follow these sustainable strategies as your space renovations are complete and the building and interiors are operated in an environmentally sustainable manner. Operations staff should endeavor to establish best practices in energy efficiency, resource conservation, ecologically sensitive products, and other sustainable practices, and implement them.

  • Comfort

    Comfortable workers are more likely to be productive and engaged with their work than those who struggle to work in spaces that create barriers and stresses. With ever increasing needs to be mindful of the environment when designing spaces, GSA is developing practices that support both sustainability and worker comfort.

  • Materials, Furniture, and Furnishings Replacement

    Daily wear and tear means that materials, furniture and furnishings require periodic replacement.

  • Fiber Paper Recycling

    Every 40 cases of 100% post-consumer fiber paper saves the equivalent of the following:

    • 24 trees 40 feet in height
    • 7,000 gallons of water
    • 4,100 kilowatt hours of electricity
    • 60 pounds of air pollution

    Source: http://www.sustain.ucla.edu/handbook/article.asp?parentid=3465 UCLA Sustainability

  • IEQ Health Risks

    Indoor contaminants such as dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pet dander, secondhand smoke and some chemicals can trigger asthma attacks. Source: Asthma Prevalence, Health Care Use and Mortality: United States, 2003-05, http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/ashtma03-05/asthma03-05.htm 

  • Post Consumer Fiber Paper

    Every 40 cases of 100% post consumer fiber paper saves the equivalent of the following:

    • 24 trees 40 feet in height
    • 7,000 gallons of water
    • 4,100 kilowatt hours of electricity
    • 60 pounds of air pollution

    Source: UCLA Sustainability

  • Asthma Triggers

    Indoor contaminants such as dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pet dander, secondhand smoke and some chemicals can trigger asthma attacks. Source: Asthma Prevalence, Health Care Use and Mortality: United States, 2003-05

  • Water Efficiency

    Buildings are significant users of the Earth’s potable water supply.  The goal of a responsible building operator should be to encourage a smarter use of water, both inside and outside the facility.  Indoor water use reduction is typically achieved through efficient plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances and process equipment used to heat and cool the building; outdoor water use reduction efforts should focus on water-wise landscaping.

  • Energy & Atmosphere

    Buildings and facilities rely on the operation of mechanical systems and electrical systems to maintain a comfortable indoor environmental quality for occupants. Building operations consume approximately 39% of the energy and 74% of the electricity produced annually in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Greenhouse gases are generated and released throughout the life cycle of producing and consuming fossil fuel energy. These greenhouse gases directly contribute to air pollution and climate change. Therefore, atmospheric problems can be reduced by increasing the efficiency with which energy is used‚ optimizing the use of natural energy resources‚ and understanding the effects of energy technologies on the atmosphere.

  • Space Reconfiguration and Renovation Projects

    As needs change over time, tenants often need to convert space or phase the conversion of individual space or rooms to meet these changing needs.

  • Under 10,000 SF Interiors Gut Rehab Project

    Following are Sustainable Strategies to consider as the space has or will undergo a major tenant gut rehab for projects under 10,000 SF. Note to use a current version of LEED for Commercial Interiors for tenant improvement projects over 10,000 SF. Refer to the Share Section for a represented project Case Study to discover key practices, benefits, results and checklists.

  • Health

    Good health has both physical and psychological components. Being healthy means the absence of disease and illness, as well as feeling positive about life and work. The workplace can play a role in the health of workers by eliminating risks and creating conditions that support cognitive, emotional, and social well being.

  • The Workplace Environment as a Catalyst for Social Change

    We know workplace design can influence functional behaviors, but can it be a catalyst for social change? Can organizations use the environment to improve sense of community, increase morale, reduce stress, and develop cross group relationships?

  • Planning to Build Green

    Sustainability "means to create and maintain conditions, under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations." Executive Order 13514

  • Spatial Equity

    Organizations today are less hierarchical and work is more team based, more mobile, and more cross functional. A key to spatial equity is that space layout and workstation standards are based on new ways of working and specific work tasks and business needs rather than organizational hierarchy.

  • Building Systems Upgrades

    The following are Sustainable Strategies to consider as your space undergoes a building system upgrade to improve energy, water use and occupant comfort. Refer to the Share Section for a representative project Case Study to discover key practices, benefits, results and checklists.

  • Life Cycle Approach

    Materials and resources all have environmental, social and economic impacts beyond just their "use" phase in a project. Analyzing these environmental impacts and financial costs over the entire life span of a product or material is what is known as a Life Cycle Approach.

  • Conducting LCA

    The US Department of Energy has developed an LCA report to help evaluate the energy and environmental benefits of LEDs when compared to incandescent and fluorescent lighting. This analysis follows the four steps outlined above. When using LCA to compare equipment, it is important to establish a common unit of performance by which each will be judged.

  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Overview

    When seeking to make the most sustainable choice, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) provides the most data to inform your decision. By including the impacts throughout the product life cycle, LCA provides a comprehensive view of the environmental aspects of the product or process and a more accurate picture of the true environmental trade-offs in product and process selection.

  • Flexibility

    Today's workplaces are often in flux. As organizations change direction or develop new services, people also move. Teams form and re-form. People move to new spaces and take on new responsibilities. The spaces themselves are transformed to meet new needs. These changes are much easier to accommodate, with less stress on people and the organization, when the workplace is designed to support flexibility.


Whole Building Analysis


Materials

  • Overhead Air Distribution

    Overhead air distribution is the most common approach to mixing and delivering conditioned air to a space.

  • Under Floor Air Distribution

    Under floor air distribution systems supply conditioned air to an occupied space via diffusers in a raised floor. This system effectively maintains thermal comfort and indoor air quality levels.

  • Seating

    Seating is a critical component of the furnishings. High quality ergonomically flexible seating options are paramount in supporting a high quality work environment for each employee. Select seating options that avoid brominated flame retardants, plasticizers, or PVC. Additionally, the seating should be recyclable for proper disposal at the end of its useful life.

  • Plants / Planters

    Interior plants contribute to an aesthetically pleasing environment. There are several different types of indoor plants, all which vary according to the ease of growth and maintenance, resistance to pests, and efficiency at cleaning the air we breath. Foliage plants are great for indoor work environments because they dont flower and thus do not introduce allergens into the air. http://greenplantsforgreenbuildings.org

  • Lamp Types

    There are many different types of light bulbs / lamps used at commercial buildings including fluorescent, compact fluorescent, and Light Emitting Diode (LED). Incandescent lighting is becoming obsolete. Lamp selection should be driven by efficiency, lamp life, color quality of the light and its intended use. - Fluorescent lights do not give off as much heat, can be highly efficient and have a long useful life. However, they contain mercury and typically are not dimmable unless using a dimmable ballast. - CFLs can produce a warm light, are highly efficient and have a long useful life. However, CFLs contain small amounts of mercury and are also sensitive to frequent on/off cycling and as such their rated lifetimes may be reduced if switched on/off regularly. Not all CFLs are dimmable. - LED lamps do not contain mercury, are highly efficient, turn on quickly, are dimmable, and have a long useful life. LEDs are currently more costly and have a light quality that is typically whiter than incandescent.

  • Steel Frame

    Window frames are one component of a window assembly. In naturally ventilated buildings window frames allow the window to be opened to bring in fresh air and closed tight to prevent intrusion. Steel frames were popular in the early to mid 1900's, but they are not typically used in this day and age because they are heavy and rust easily. Sometimes steel is specified where fire-protection and extra-strength assemblies are required by code.

  • Aluminum Frame

    Window frames are one component of a window assembly. In naturally ventilated buildings window frames allow the window to be opened to bring in fresh air and closed tight to prevent intrusion. Aluminum frames are strong, less prone to warping, but typically are less energy efficient since aluminum is a good conductor of heat. Look for thermally improved aluminum window frames.

  • Wood Frame

    Window frames are one component of a window assembly. In naturally ventilated buildings window frames allow the window to be opened to bring in fresh air and closed tight to prevent intrusion. Wood window frames deliver exceptional thermal performance; however, they may require more maintenance.

  • Vinyl Frame

    Window frames are one component of a window assembly. In naturally ventilated buildings window frames allow the window to be opened to bring in fresh air and closed tight to prevent intrusion. Vinyl frames deliver exceptional thermal performance; however, various toxic emissions are related to the manufacture of vinyl.

  • Fiberglass Frame

    Window frames are one component of a window assembly. In naturally ventilated buildings window frames allow the window to be opened to bring in fresh air and closed tight to prevent intrusion. Fiberglass window frames are structurally strong and are good thermal insulators.

  • Composite Wood

    Interior doors are often made of a composite wood core covered with a laminate or wood veneer. Doors made with engineered wood are cheaper than solid wood doors, but may pose indoor air quality problems from emissions in the binders or adhesives. Greener engineered wood alternatives include formaldehyde-free door cores, those that are made of recycled content or made from agricultural waste, such as wheat straw. Additionally, veneers may be made of sustainably grown and harvested wood. These greener alternatives must be explicitly specified, as they are not standard materials.

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