LEED CoreConcepts&Strategies_3rd edition - Page 086

Extracted Content

Indoor air quality must be maintained throughout the life of a building to protect occupants on an ongoing basis.

STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY DURING OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE:

•• ENSURE ADEQUATE VENTILATION. Operate ventilation systems to supply ample outside air to the occupants. Follow the most recent industry standards, such as ASHRAE Standard 62, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality.

•• MONITOR OUTDOOR AIRFLOW. Use an outdoor airflow measurement device that can measure and control the minimum outdoor airflow rate.

•• MONITOR CARBON DIOXIDE. Use monitors and integrate them with a ventilation system that regulates the supply of air based on occupants’ demand. With demandcontrolled ventilation, air flow is automatically increased if concentrations exceed a setpoint.

•• CALIBRATE SENSORS. Perform routine preventive maintenance, such as calibrating sensors and monitors, to ensure that accurate data are used to modulate systems.

•• PROHIBIT SMOKING. Enforce a no-smoking policy in the building and around building entrances, operable windows, and air intakes. Communicate the policy to building occupants through building signage and tenant meetings.

•• DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A GREEN CLEANING POLICY. To minimize the introduction of contaminants, outline procedures and goals for the custodial program at the facility. This policy should specify standards for selecting cleaning products and technologies, such as Green Seal standards, California Code of Regulations, and certification of cleaning equipment from the Carpet and Rug Institute.

•• CONDUCT CUSTODIAL EFFECTIVENESS ASSESSMENT. Identify opportunities for improving building cleanliness and reducing occupants’ exposure to potentially harmful biological and particulate contaminants.

•• USE ENTRYWAY SYSTEMS. Have grilles, grates, or mats at building entrances to reduce the dust, dirt, and contaminants brought into the facility by people’s shoes. Develop cleaning procedures to properly maintain the entryway systems.

•• USE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT. A coordinated program of nonchemical strategies, such as monitoring and baiting, will reduce the need for pesticides and other potentially toxic contaminants.

LIGHTING, ACOUSTICS, AND OCCUPANT EXPERIENCE

To be healthy, happy, and productive in the building, occupants need to feel comfortable and in control of their environment. This includes thermal comfort, lighting and views, acoustics, and ergonomics. Feeling too hot or too cold, having insufficient lighting or being unable to look out a window, dealing with too much noise or having an uncomfortable work station can all cause stress and reduce quality of life. Because people’s needs vary and even the same individual may have different needs and preferences at different times, the ability to control the indoor environment is a critical component of occupants’ comfort and satisfaction.

79