Intent 

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To reduce indoor air quality (IAQ) problems resulting from construction or renovation and promote the comfort and well-being of construction workers and building occupants.

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Requirements

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Develop and implement an IAQ management plan for the construction and preoccupancy phases of the building as follows:

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• During construction, meet or exceed the recommended control measures of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors Association (SMACNA) IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings under Construction, 2nd Edition 2007, ANSI/SMACNA 008-2008 (Chapter 3).

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• Protect stored on-site and installed absorptive materials from moisture damage.

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• If permanently installed air handlers are used during construction, filtration media with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 8 must be used at each return air grille, as determined by ASHRAE Standard 52.2-1999 (with errata but without addenda 1 ). Replace all filtration media immediately prior to occupancy.

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Potential technologies & Strategies

 

Adopt an IAQ management plan to protect the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) system during construction, control pollutant sources and interrupt contamination pathways. Sequence the installation of materials to avoid contamination of absorptive materials, such as insulation, carpeting, ceiling tile and gypsum wallboard. Coordinate with IEQ Credit 3.2: Construction IAQ Management Plan — Before Occupancy and IEQ

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Credit 5: Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control to determine the appropriate specifications and schedules for filtration media.

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If possible, avoid using permanently installed air handlers for temporary heating/cooling during construction.

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Consult the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Design and Construction, 2009 Edition for more detailed information on how to ensure the well-being of construction workers and building occupants if permanently installed air handlers must be used during construction.