Official language
This best practice helps buildings maintain good indoor air quality (IAQ) and avoid IAQ-related complaints and air quality hazards. The basic audit approach largely relies on sensory (e.g., visual and olfactory) investigations as the minimum requirement, though more quantifiable detection of contaminants through collecting air samples for lab testing of or using handheld instrumentation can be used as a next tier of investigation, particularly in situations where there is an indication of a problem.
The IAQ audit should align with the best practice guidelines outlined in the US EPA’s I-BEAM or another comparable auditing system. Each year perform an IAQ audit to help understand the air quality within the project space and use this audit as an evaluation of your project’s current IAQ systems and goals. IAQ audits can be performed by internal staff or a contracted third party.
This best practice intends to help the building operator protect indoor air quality and occupant health while saving energy during the normal operations of the business.
Objective
At least once a year, perform an IAQ audit to help understand the air quality within the building or tenant-controlled space and discover opportunities for improvement.
Submittal Requirements
The following are the required submittals in order to fulfill the objective of this best practice.
An IAQ audit report for the project that contains:
- Date of audit.
- General IAQ thresholds and results including information on major thermal or contaminant sources that adversely affect the air quality within any part of the project (e.g. outdoor sources, HVAC equipment, occupant activities, operations and maintenance activities, and housekeeping).
-
A strategic IAQ management plan that, at minimum, include protocols for the following:
- Pollutant source management
- Maintenance and operations
- Responsible parties
- Response procedures
- Communication and notification
- Housekeeping
- Recommendations for remediation/mitigation.
For Tenant-Controlled Spaces
Tenant-controlled space participants may submit an indoor air quality report for the building to if 1) the submitted audit was performed within the last 5 years, 2) the participant was a tenant within the building when the audit was performed and 3) the audit includes the items outlined above.
Implementation Guidance
See BIT Building Program Manual for additional details and recommended steps for implementing this best practice.
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Implementation toolkit
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This best practice helps buildings maintain good indoor air quality (IAQ) and avoid IAQ-related complaints and air quality hazards. The basic audit approach largely relies on sensory (e.g., visual and olfactory) investigations as the minimum requirement, though more quantifiable detection of contaminants through collecting air samples for lab testing of or using handheld instrumentation can be used as a next tier of investigation, particularly in situations where there is an indication of a problem.
The IAQ audit should align with the best practice guidelines outlined in the US EPA’s I-BEAM or another comparable auditing system. Each year perform an IAQ audit to help understand the air quality within the project space and use this audit as an evaluation of your project’s current IAQ systems and goals. IAQ audits can be performed by internal staff or a contracted third party.
This best practice intends to help the building operator protect indoor air quality and occupant health while saving energy during the normal operations of the business.
Objective
At least once a year, perform an IAQ audit to help understand the air quality within the building or tenant-controlled space and discover opportunities for improvement.
Implementation Requirements
See BIT Building Program Manual for additional details and recommended steps for implementing this best practice.
Submittal Requirements
The following are the required submittals in order to fulfill the objective of this best practice.
An IAQ audit report for the project that contains:
- Date of audit.
- General IAQ thresholds and results including information on major thermal or contaminant sources that adversely affect the air quality within any part of the project (e.g. outdoor sources, HVAC equipment, occupant activities, operations and maintenance activities, and housekeeping).
-
A strategic IAQ management plan that, at minimum, include protocols for the following:
- Pollutant source management
- Maintenance and operations
- Responsible parties
- Response procedures
- Communication and notification
- Housekeeping
- Recommendations for remediation/mitigation.
For Tenant-Controlled Spaces
Tenant-controlled space participants may submit an indoor air quality report for the building to if 1) the submitted audit was performed within the last 5 years, 2) the participant was a tenant within the building when the audit was performed and 3) the audit includes the items outlined above.
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