A04: Construction Pollution Management

(Required)

INTENT

Minimize the introduction of construction-related pollutants into indoor air, remediate construction-related indoor air contamination for human health and protect building products from degradation.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires projects to protect indoor air quality during building construction and renovation through a combination of strategies such as envelope protection, moisture and dust management, filter replacement, air flush and proper equipment selection.

ISSUE

Air pollution originating from construction and demolition works can impact the health and quality of life of people working and residing nearby and is associated with increased mortality owing to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Increased emissions of PM₁₀ in the vicinity of construction sites are positively correlated with people's suffering from respiratory diseases. Building construction and renovations are mostly a source of coarse particulate matter, but they are also a source of airborne ultrafine particles.

SOLUTIONS

The indoor air quality levels can be compromised during building construction. Care should be taken during construction to prevent dust intrusion and/or to clear the space of dust, chemical vapors and other debris to avoid significant aggravation of indoor air quality. Air duct protection, moisture and dust management, filter replacement and proper equipment selection are strategies that improve indoor air quality by limiting the exposure to an intense contamination period. In addition, an air flush or building flush is a technique that can be used whereby air is forced through a building after construction and prior to occupancy in order to remove or reduce pollutants such as volatile organic compounds and particulate matter that were inadvertently introduced indoors during construction.

 IMPACT

Minimizing the introduction of construction-related pollutants into indoor air improves indoor air quality, which is ultimately beneficial for human health and well-being.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Mitigate Construction Pollution

Verified by Contractor

For All Spaces

For construction occurring after project registration, at least three of the following requirements are met:

1. Projects meet one of the below:

   1. Ducts are sealed and protected from possible contamination during construction.
   2. Ducts are cleaned prior to installing registers, grills and diffusers.

2. If permanently installed ventilation system is operating during construction, projects meet the below:

   1. Media filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 8 are used to filter return air.
   2. All filters are replaced prior to occupancy.

3. The below moisture and dust management procedures are followed:

   1. Carpets, acoustical ceiling panels, fabric wall coverings, insulation, upholstery and furnishings and other absorptive materials are stored in a separate designated area protected from moisture damage.
   2. All active areas of work are isolated from other spaces by sealed doorways or windows or through the use of temporary barriers.
   3. Walk-off mats are used at entryways to reduce the transfer of dirt and pollutants.
   4. Saws and other tools use dust guards or collectors to capture generated dust.

4. To reduce particulate matter emissions from both on-road and non-road diesel fueled vehicles (excluding delivery vehicles) and construction equipment, the below are met: 

   1. All non-road diesel engine vehicles comply with the U.S. EPA Tier 4 PM emissions standards or local equivalent when applicable. Engines may be retrofitted with verified technology (required to be U.S. EPA or California Air Resources Board approved) at the time the equipment is first placed on the job site.
   2. All on-road diesel engine vehicles meet the requirements set forth in the U.S. EPA model year 2007 on-road standards for PM or local equivalent when applicable. Engines may be retrofitted with verified technology (required to be U.S. EPA or California Air Resources Board approved) at the time the equipment is first placed on the job site.
   3. All equipment, vehicles and loading/unloading zones are located at least 7.5 m [25 ft] away from air intakes and operable openings of adjacent buildings when possible.

5. Upon completion of construction (including installation of woodwork, doors, acoustic tiles, paints, carpets, movable furnishings and other interior finishes), a building air flush is performed while maintaining an indoor temperature of at least 15 °C [59 °F] and relative humidity below 60%, at one of the below volumes:

   1. A total air volume of 4,300 m³ of outdoor air per m² of floor area [14,000 ft³ per ft² of floor area] prior to occupancy.
   2. A total air volume of 1,100 m³ of outdoor air per m² of floor area [3,500 ft³ per ft² of floor area] prior to occupancy, followed by a second flush of 3,200 m³ of outdoor air per m² of floor area [10,500 ft³ per ft² of floor area] post-occupancy. While the post-occupancy flush is taking place, the ventilation system must provide at least 0.1 m³ per minute of outdoor air per m² of floor area [0.3 CFM outdoor air per ft² of floor area] at all times.

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