Indoor Environmental Quality in Multifamily Buildings

Prerequisites: None

Class Description: Class Description: Introduces the basic causes of indoor environmental quality problems typical in multifamily buildings and begins to develop a method of diagnosis and solution. Students will gain an understanding of the dynamic components of indoor environmental quality in relation to source control, occupant sensitivity and ventilation. Emphasis is placed on communication with building residents for reliable investigations without aggravating existing issues.

PROJECT: Ventilation System Profile

Learning Outcomes/Competencies:

At the completion of Indoor Environmental Quality, a participant will be able to:
• Describe the relationship between indoor air quality (IAQ) and IEQ.
• Describe at least four key qualities that determine IEQ.
• Identify three basic types of ventilation systems typically found in multifamily residential buildings and their implications for indoor air quality and thermal comfort.
• List six basic elements of an IEQ program.
• Describe the relationship between moisture, mold, and ventilation.
• Identify four control strategies related to IEQ.
• List the procedures to effectively manage indoor air quality concerns and complaints.
• Identify three aspects of communicating effectively with occupants about IEQ issues.

Outline

• 1. Introduction to Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
  • 1.1 IEQ Qualities
  • 1.2 IEQ in Perspective
  • 1.3 Human Activity Pattern
  • 1.4 Common IEQ-Related Health Symptoms
  • 1.5 IEQ Stressors That Cause Complaints
  • 1.6 IEQ Standards and Benchmarks
• 2. IEQ Program Elements
  • 2.1 Benefits of an IEQ Program
  • 2.2 Perception of Risk
• 3. Pollutant Sources
  • 3.1 People
  • 3.2 Building Materials
  • 3.3 Source Location
  • 3.4 Source Strength
  • 3.5 Known Risks
    • 3.5.1 Carbon Monoxide
    • 3.5.2 VOCs
    • 3.5.3 Mold
    • 3.5.4 Smoke (Tobacco)
    • 3.5.5 Asbestos
    • 3.5.6 Lead
    • 3.5.7 Radon
    • 3.5.8 Pests
    • 3.5.9 Carbon Dioxide
• 4. Comforts Basics
  • 4.1 ASHRAE Standard 55
  • 4.2 Relative Humidity
  • 4.3 Room Air Velocity
  • 4.4 Mean Radiant Temperature
  • 4.5 Temperature Impacts on Air Quality
  • 4.6 Lighting Levels and IEQ
  • 4.7 Acoustical Comfort
• 5. Fundamental IAQ/IEQ Dynamics
  • 5.1 Dynamic Flows that Interact w/ Buildings
    • 5.1.1 Thermodynamics
    • 5.1.2 Stack Effect
    • 5.1.3 Compartmentalization
    • 5.1.4 Wild Effects
    • 5.1.5 Air Flow Rules
    • 5.1.6 Positive Pressurization
    • 5.1.7 Negative Pressurization
  • 5.2 Mechanical Effect
  • 5.3 Multifamily Air Sealing
  • 5.4 Water Movement
• 6. Moisture
  • 6.1 Moisture Dynamics
  • 6.2 Absolute Humidity
  • 6.3 Relative Humidity
  • 6.4 Dew Point
  • 6.5 Moisture Dynamics
  • 6.6 Air Leakage and Vapor Diffusion
  • 6.7 Moisture Dynamics
  • 6.8 Investigation by Thermography
  • 6.9 Fungi and Mold
  • 6.10 Prevent Biological Contamination
  • 6.11 Moisture Dynamics
  • 6.12 Pathways
• 7. Pollutant Movement
  • 7.1 Pathways and Driving Forces
  • 7.2 Causes of IEQ Problems
• 8. Control Strategies
  • 8.1 Remove the Source
    • 8.1.1 Reduce Potential Sources
    • 8.1.2 Isolate or Divert the Source
    • 8.1.3 Direct Source Control
    • 8.1.4 Soil Air Entry into Buildings
    • 8.1.5 Pest Management
    • 8.1.6 Cleaning Equipment
    • 8.1.7 RSP Concentrations
    • 8.1.8 Carpet
    • 8.1.9 Cleaning
    • 8.1.10 Green Product Certifications
  • 8.2 Ventilation
    • 8.2.1 Multifamily Ventilation Systems
    • 8.2.2 Heat Recovery
    • 8.2.3 Energy Recovery Ventilators
  • 8.3 Air Cleaning
  • 8.4 Exposure Control
• 9. Preventing IEQ Problems
  • 9.1 Preventing and Solving
  • 9.2 Communicating to Prevent IEQ Problems
  • 9.3 Sample Forms
  • 9.4 IEQ Management Plan
  • 9.5 Walk-Through Assessments
• 10. Solving IEQ Problems
  • 10.1 Ongoing Safety Considerations
  • 10.2 Sampling Air for Contaminants and Indicators
  • 10.3 IEQ Profile Measurements
  • 10.4 IEQ Measurement Devices
• 11. BOC MF1005 Test