February - March 2008
indoor air quality
Inspector’s viewpoint:
By Shawn Haruno,
Environmental Health Specialist, State of Hawaii
Providing a healthy indoor environment is an important, yet often overlooked part of building management. Conditions in facilities should be monitored as to provide safe and healthy conditions. Proper air quality is a significant part of a healthy indoor environment.
There are basically three components to promoting proper indoor air quality:
Proper ventilation
In
mechanically ventilated spaces, sufficient outside air (OA) from a clean,
uncontaminated source should be provided to assist in diluting indoor
contaminants. Depending on the use of the occupied space, the provisions
specified in Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 11, Chapter 39 may apply.
ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers) standard 62 is also useful in determining the proper amounts of OA needed for different facility uses. Although it may be tempting to close off the OA intake to save on energy costs, be aware that this may lead to a buildup of indoor contaminants and potential violations of HAR 11-39.
Opening doors and windows to provide OA in a mechanically ventilated area is discouraged due to the introduction of untreated air into the conditioned space. Ventilation systems should be balanced to provide proper ventilation throughout the space.
Controlling indoor emissions
Chemicals,
furniture, building materials, and equipment are among the items which
may emit unwanted emissions.
Chemicals should be stored properly and used as directed on the manufacturer label. Although labels may state safe for indoor use, odors generated by chemicals may be offensive to some occupants. Some manufacturers use chemicals in the production of furniture and building materials which may off-gas for a period of time after being made.
Printers, copiers, and other office equipment may produce ozone, which may cause lung irritation. The areas in which these items are placed should be well ventilated in order to dilute emissions. Perfume, deodorants, body odors, and cooking smells may also contribute to occupant complaints. These odors are much more difficult to control and should be addressed.
Properly maintaining facilities and equipment
Proper facility maintenance may prevent most indoor air quality issues. Facilities should be inspected for any moisture incursion. Roof leaks, breaches in the structure or foundation, and plumbing leaks are common sources of moisture which may lead to mold growth and structural degradation if left unchecked.
Any
materials which cannot be cleaned thoroughly (carpets and other porous
materials) should be replaced. Air conditioning coils, filters, drain
pans, ductwork, outside air intakes, plenums and piping should be checked
and repaired or cleaned as needed.
Temperatures should be kept between 72°F-78°F and relative humidity between 40%RH-60%RH to avoid condensation and mold issues. Particulate accumulation should be avoided through regular cleaning. HEPA vacuums and damp wipe methods should be employed when cleaning. Also keep in mind that having large amounts of paper and fibrous materials may contribute to the particulate load in an occupied space.
Providing proper indoor air quality is an important part of day to day management of a building. A healthy occupant is a happy occupant! IAQ is everyone’s responsibility, from management, to occupants.
Shawn
Haruno, Environmental Health Specialist, State of Hawaii, Department of
Health NRIAQ Branch, received his B.S. in Environmental Science from Purdue
University in 1996 and began working for the Dept. of Health, NRIAQ Branch
in 1999. He moved into the Indoor Air Quality Specialist position full
time in August 2005. Shawn is the only IAQ inspector for the state.
