Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)Developing a Management Plan

Roger G. Morse AIA

Dyanki, Inc.

Do Nothing Until Problem Arises

• Very expensive• Facility shutdowns• Employee lost time• Disability and worker compensation claims• Increased absenteeism• Decreased productivity• Poor employee moral

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

• Lighting

• Noise

• Ergonomics

• Safety

• Stress in the workplace

Operation of an IEQ Management Program

• Solve Obvious Problems

• Empower building occupants to report IAQ Concerns

• Set up a management system to make sure reports get to someone who takes action

Reports of IAQ Concerns

• May be early warning of a serious problem,

• Could be result of an allergic reaction in one individual,

• May be a baseless complaint.

Responding to Reports of IAQ Concerns

• All reports must be taken seriously.

• Deal with reports in a uniform manner.

• Use a tiered approach that brings more assets to bear as necessary.

First Tier Review

• Medical Review

• Health and Safety Walk Through

• Facilities Walk Through

• Recommendations

First Tier Review

• Medical Review:– document any symptoms experienced by

the employee(s).– evaluate the potential for the symptoms to

be caused by indoor air quality.

First Tier Review

• Health and Safety Walk Through: – Observe conditions, – Gather additional information, – Determine the extent of the problem,– Look for other problems (poor lighting,

improper ergonomics, workplace stress).

First Tier Review

• Facilities Walk Through: – Look for evident problems,– Document conditions in the space, – Initial evaluation of the HVAC system.

Second Tier Investigation

• If the First Tier Review does not resolve the issue then additional investigation is necessary.

• Second tier at a level that can normally be accomplished by facility personnel using checklists.

Second Tier Investigation

• Health and Safety:– Perform a survey to locate potential

pollution sources.– Prepare an inventory of chemicals used in

the space.– Provide the employee reporting the

concern with a diary to log the times and locations of the occurrence.

Second Tier Investigation

• Facilities:– Survey the facility for building or system

problems (e.g. leaking roofs, poor housekeeping, faulty or leaking plumbing).

– Perform an HVAC evaluation.

Third Tier Investigation

• Data is collected on conditions in the building.

• If the facility management has the resources internal personnel can perform this work.

• May require outside consultant.

Third Tier Investigation

• Health and Safety:– Measure for specific potential chemical

contaminants.– Inspect for microbiological growth and

remove if found.– Correct conditions that allowed mold

amplification.– Air sampling for bioaerosols is not

generally recommended.

Third Tier Investigation

• Facilities: – Log temperature and humidity

(ASHRAE 55) – Log carbon dioxide levels for one week, – Measure carbon dioxide in various

locations within the problem area, – Measure ventilation air (ASHRAE 62)

Fourth Tier Investigation

• Resolution not found.

• Corrective work does not pass a 60-day evaluation.

• Outside consultant.

• Procure IAQ investigation and design services with an annual contract for services.

Administrative Requirements of an IEQ Management Program

Setting up a Program

IEQ Management Program

• Policy and Organization

• Program Administration

• Documentation

• Training

• Communications

• Audit and Review

IEQ Management Program

• Policy and Organization – formal decision at the topmost level – specific administrative position – responsibility and authority– effective control over activities that could

impact on IEQ – head of buildings and grounds

IEQ Management Program

• Program Administration – use existing management systems – simpler to add to or slightly modify existing

controls than to invent and administer entirely new ones

IEQ Management Program

• Documentation – Program Operation

– Program Effectiveness

– Inventory

– Compliance with Regulations and Standards

IEQ Management Program

• Training – sufficient to perform initial inspections – appropriate to level of activity

IEQ Management Program

• Communications – occupants informed that they have an

affirmative responsibility and full authority to report IEQ concerns

– inform chain of command that they have a responsibility to forward reports

– part of job performance evaluation

IEQ Management Program

• Audit and Review – be critically evaluated at periodic intervals – success of report response procedures – effectiveness of administrative controls – adequacy of documentation – compliance with current regulations – level of personnel training – equipment condition

Roger G. Morse

Dyanki, Inc.

504 Snake Hill Road

Poestenkill, NY 12140