EQp1: Minimum Air Quality – Above Green

Required

Intent

To contribute to the comfort and well-being of building occupants by establishing minimum standards for indoor air quality (IAQ).

Requirements

Maintain the ventilation system equipment and associated components based on Table 8.2 of ASHRAE 62.1-2016. Include information on ventilation system operation and preventative maintenance in the current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan required for compliance with EA prerequisite Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices.

For spaces with mechanical exhaust, test and confirm proper operation of the exhaust systems as outlined in the current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan.

Ventilate the project spaces mechanically or naturally as follows:

For mechanically ventilated spaces, measure the total quantity of outdoor air delivered and verify the results are within 10 percent of the rates outlined in the current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan. Measurements shall quantify the amount of outdoor air for each air handling unit serving the project. Measurements taken within five years prior to project submission are acceptable. The rates must meet the following minimum requirements for each air handling unit:

In I-P units:
Minimum outdoor air rate in cfm = 0.06 cfm/sf x gross building area (in sf) + people outdoor air rate from Table 1 (cfm/person) x building occupancy

In SI units:
Minimum outdoor air rate in L/s = 0.3 L/s*m²x gross building area (in m²) + people outdoor air rate from Table 1 (L/s per person) x building occupancy

Table 1. People outdoor air rate

Occupancy category*	People outdoor air rate
Occupancy category*	cfm per person	L/s per person
Auditorium seating area Libraries Office space Places of religious worship	5	2.5
Mall common areas Museums	7.5	3.8
Classrooms Daycare General manufacturing	10	5
Health club/aerobics	20	10

*For additional occupancy categories, see Table 6.2.2.1 of ASHRAE 62.1-2016

Alternatively, the rates may meet the Ventilation Rate Procedure outlined in Section 6.2 of ASHRAE 62.1 editions 2016, 2013, 2010, or 2007.

For naturally ventilated spaces, meet the minimum requirements in Table 2:

Table 2. Minimum opening location and size requirements for naturally ventilated spaces*

Opening type	Location of opening	Size of opening
Opening type	Maximum distance from operable openings**	Minimum opening area***
Single side opening	2 x ceiling height	4% of floor area
Double side opening	5 x ceiling height	4% of floor area
Corner opening	5 x ceiling height (along a line drawn between the two openings that are farthest apart.; for floor area outside line, comply with single side opening)	4% of floor area

*Adopted from Section 6.4.1 of ASHRAE 62.1-2016

**For ceilings that are increasing in height as distance from the openings is increased, the ceiling height shall be determined as the average height of the ceiling within 6 m (20 ft) from the operable openings.
***If the window is covered with louvers, insect screens, or otherwise obstructed, the openable area must be based on the free unobstructed area through the opening.

Multifamily

For all common areas in the building, meet requirements above.

For residential units, have an operable window in each bedroom with the total openable window area a minimum of 4% of the room floor area or meet the following minimum requirements for the entire unit:

In I-P units:
Minimum outdoor air rate in cfm = 0.03 cfm/sf x dwelling unit floor area (in sf) + 7.5 cfm/person x (number of bedrooms + 1)

In SI units:
Minimum outdoor air rate in L/s = 0.15 L/s*m2 x dwelling unit floor area (in m2) + 7.5 cfm/person x (number of bedrooms + 1)

In each full bathroom, have either an exhaust fan that vents directly to the outdoors or an operable window.

Europe ACP: Arbeitsstaettenrichtlinie ASR 5

Projects in Europe may use Arbeitsstaettenrichtlinie ASR 5 or ASR A3.6 as a local equivalent to ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2010, natural ventilation procedure.

India ACP: Mechanically Ventilated

Projects in India may meet the following as a local equivalent to ASHRAE 62.1-2010:

For single-zone and 100% outside air systems, National Building Code of India 2005 (NBC 2005) Table 4-air rate requirements in lieu of ASHRAE 62.1-2010 ventilation rate procedure. Only certain space types are eligible.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), National Ambient Air Quality Standards in lieu of ASHRAE 62.1-2010, Section 4.
NBC 2005 Part 8, section 3, clause 3.2, with additional parameters, in lieu of ASHRAE 62.1-2010, Minimum Requirements, Sections 5-7.

India ACP: Naturally Ventilated NBC

Projects in India may use NBC 2005 Part 8, Section 1, clauses 5.2.1-5.6 and Appendix A: Design for Natural Ventilation from Handbook on Functional Requirements of Buildings (other than Industrial Buildings), also known as SP 41, 1987 as a local equivalent to ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2010, natural ventilation procedure.

India ACP: Naturally Ventilated CPCB

Projects in India may compare outdoor air quality with the CPCB National Ambient Air Quality Standards in lieu of the U.S. national air quality standards as required in ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2010, Section 4.