CI-v5 EQc5: Air Quality Testing and Monitoring 1-4 points
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To support better management of IAQ and identify opportunities for health-based approaches to building operations.
Requirements
Option 1. Pre-Occupancy Air Testing (1–2 points)
After construction ends and before occupancy, but under ventilation conditions typical for occupancy, conduct baseline IAQ testing. Retail projects may conduct the testing within 14 days of occupancy. The number of measurements should be specified according to Table 1 and taken in respective locations of the building.
Table 1. Number of Measurements Required for Preoccupancy Air Testing
Total Occupied Floor Area, sq. ft (sq. m.) | Number of Measurements |
≤ 5,000 (500) | 1 |
> 5,000 (500) and ≤ 15,000 (1,500) | 2 |
> 15,000 (1,500) and ≤ 25,000 (2,500) | 3 |
> 25,000 (2,500) and ≤ 200,000 (20,000) | 4 plus one additional measurement per each 25,000 sq. ft. (2,500 sq. m.) above 25,000 sq. ft. |
> 200,000 (20,000) | 10 plus one additional measurement per each 50,000 sq. ft. (4,600 sq. m.) above 200,000 sq. ft. |
PATH 1. PARTICULATE MATTER AND INORGANIC GASES (1 POINT)
Test for the particulate matter (PM) and inorganic gases listed in Table 2, using an allowed test method, and demonstrate that the contaminants do not exceed the concentration limits listed in the table. Measure for a four-hour period and calculate the peak concentration for carbon monoxide and average concentration for ozone, PM2.5, and PM10.
Table 2. Limits for Particulate Matter and Inorganic Gases
Contaminant (CAS#) | Concentration Limit (µg/m3) | Allowed Test Methods (laboratory-based) | Direct Reading Instrument Minimum Specifications |
Carbon monoxide (CO) | 9 ppm; no more than 2 ppm above outdoor levels | ISO 4224 EPA Compendium Method IP-3 GB/T 18883-2002 for projects in China
| Direct calibrated electrochemical instrument with accuracy of ±3% of reading and resolution of 0.1 ppm
NDIR CO sensors with accuracy of 1% of 10 ppm full scale and display resolution of less than 0.1 ppm |
Particulates (for projects in attainment areas) | ISO class 8 or lower per ISO 14644-1:2015
OR meet
PM10: 50 μg/m3
PM2.5: 12 μg/m3 | n/a | Accuracy (±): Greater of 5 μg/m3 or 20% of reading Resolution (±): 5 μg/m3 |
IP-10A | |||
Particulates (for projects in nonattainment areas) | ISO class 8 or lower per ISO 14644-1:2015
OR meet
PM10: 50 μg/m3
PM2.5: 35 μg/m3 | n/a | Accuracy (±): Greater of 5 μg/m3 or 20% of reading Resolution (±): 5 μg/m3 |
IP-10A | |||
Ozone | 0.07 ppm
OR
0.01 ppm for projects pursuing EQc: Enhanced Air Quality, Option 1, Path 2 | ISO 13964 ASTM D5149-02 EPA-designated methods for ozone | Monitoring device with accuracy greater of 5 ppb or 20% of reading and resolution (5 min average data) ±5 ppb
|
Note: ppm = parts per million; ppb = parts per billion.
AND/OR
PATH 2. VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (1 POINT)
- Perform a screening test for total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). Use ISO 16000-6, EPA TO-17, or EPA TO-15 to collect and analyze the air sample. Calculate the TVOC value per EN 16516:2017; California Department of Public Health Standard Method v1.2 2017, Section 3.9.4; or an alternative calculation method, as long as the full method description is included in the test report.
- If the TVOC levels exceed 500 µg/m3, investigate for potential issues by comparing the individual VOC levels from the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) results to associated cognizant authority health-based limits. Correct any identified issues and retest if necessary.
- Test for the individual VOCs listed in Table 3 using an allowed test method and demonstrate that the contaminants do not exceed the concentration limits listed in the table. Laboratories that conduct the tests must be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 for the test methods they use.
Table 3. Volatile Organic Compound Limits
Contaminant (CAS#) | Concentration Limit (µg/m3) | Allowed Test Methods |
Formaldehyde 50-00-0 | 20 µg/m3 (16 ppb) | ISO 16000-3, 4; EPA TO-11a; EPA comp. IP-6A; ASTM D5197-16 |
Acetaldehyde 75-07-0 | 140 µg/m3 | |
Benzene 71-43-2 | 3 µg/m3 | ISO 16000-6; EPA IP-1; EPA TO-17; EPA TO-15; ISO 16017-1, 2; ASTM D6196-15 |
Hexane (n-) 110-54-3 | 7,000 µg/m3 | |
Naphthalene 91-20-3 | 9 µg/m3 | |
Phenol 108-95-2 | 200 µg/m3 | |
Styrene 100-42-5 | 900 µg/m3 | |
Tetrachloroethylene 127-18-4 | 35 µg/m3 | |
Toluene 108-88-3 | 300 µg/m3 | |
Vinyl acetate 108-05-4 | 200 µg/m3 | |
Dichlorobenzene (1,4-) 106-46-7 | 800 µg/m3 | |
Xylenes—total 108-38-3, 95-47-6, and 106-42-3 | 700 µg/m3 |
AND/OR
Option 2. Continuous Indoor Air Monitoring (1 point)
Provide indoor air monitors for all of the following parameters:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Particulate matter (PM2.5)
- TVOC
- Temperature
- Relative humidity
Monitors must be building grade or better and located between 3 and 6 feet (1–2 meters) above the floor.
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To support better management of IAQ and identify opportunities for health-based approaches to building operations.
Requirements
Option 1. Pre-Occupancy Air Testing (1–2 points)
After construction ends and before occupancy, but under ventilation conditions typical for occupancy, conduct baseline IAQ testing. Retail projects may conduct the testing within 14 days of occupancy. The number of measurements should be specified according to Table 1 and taken in respective locations of the building.
Table 1. Number of Measurements Required for Preoccupancy Air Testing
Total Occupied Floor Area, sq. ft (sq. m.) | Number of Measurements |
≤ 5,000 (500) | 1 |
> 5,000 (500) and ≤ 15,000 (1,500) | 2 |
> 15,000 (1,500) and ≤ 25,000 (2,500) | 3 |
> 25,000 (2,500) and ≤ 200,000 (20,000) | 4 plus one additional measurement per each 25,000 sq. ft. (2,500 sq. m.) above 25,000 sq. ft. |
> 200,000 (20,000) | 10 plus one additional measurement per each 50,000 sq. ft. (4,600 sq. m.) above 200,000 sq. ft. |
PATH 1. PARTICULATE MATTER AND INORGANIC GASES (1 POINT)
Test for the particulate matter (PM) and inorganic gases listed in Table 2, using an allowed test method, and demonstrate that the contaminants do not exceed the concentration limits listed in the table. Measure for a four-hour period and calculate the peak concentration for carbon monoxide and average concentration for ozone, PM2.5, and PM10.
Table 2. Limits for Particulate Matter and Inorganic Gases
Contaminant (CAS#) | Concentration Limit (µg/m3) | Allowed Test Methods (laboratory-based) | Direct Reading Instrument Minimum Specifications |
Carbon monoxide (CO) | 9 ppm; no more than 2 ppm above outdoor levels | ISO 4224 EPA Compendium Method IP-3 GB/T 18883-2002 for projects in China
| Direct calibrated electrochemical instrument with accuracy of ±3% of reading and resolution of 0.1 ppm
NDIR CO sensors with accuracy of 1% of 10 ppm full scale and display resolution of less than 0.1 ppm |
Particulates (for projects in attainment areas) | ISO class 8 or lower per ISO 14644-1:2015
OR meet
PM10: 50 μg/m3
PM2.5: 12 μg/m3 | n/a | Accuracy (±): Greater of 5 μg/m3 or 20% of reading Resolution (±): 5 μg/m3 |
IP-10A | |||
Particulates (for projects in nonattainment areas) | ISO class 8 or lower per ISO 14644-1:2015
OR meet
PM10: 50 μg/m3
PM2.5: 35 μg/m3 | n/a | Accuracy (±): Greater of 5 μg/m3 or 20% of reading Resolution (±): 5 μg/m3 |
IP-10A | |||
Ozone | 0.07 ppm
OR
0.01 ppm for projects pursuing EQc: Enhanced Air Quality, Option 1, Path 2 | ISO 13964 ASTM D5149-02 EPA-designated methods for ozone | Monitoring device with accuracy greater of 5 ppb or 20% of reading and resolution (5 min average data) ±5 ppb
|
Note: ppm = parts per million; ppb = parts per billion.
AND/OR
PATH 2. VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (1 POINT)
- Perform a screening test for total volatile organic compounds (TVOC). Use ISO 16000-6, EPA TO-17, or EPA TO-15 to collect and analyze the air sample. Calculate the TVOC value per EN 16516:2017; California Department of Public Health Standard Method v1.2 2017, Section 3.9.4; or an alternative calculation method, as long as the full method description is included in the test report.
- If the TVOC levels exceed 500 µg/m3, investigate for potential issues by comparing the individual VOC levels from the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) results to associated cognizant authority health-based limits. Correct any identified issues and retest if necessary.
- Test for the individual VOCs listed in Table 3 using an allowed test method and demonstrate that the contaminants do not exceed the concentration limits listed in the table. Laboratories that conduct the tests must be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 for the test methods they use.
Table 3. Volatile Organic Compound Limits
Contaminant (CAS#) | Concentration Limit (µg/m3) | Allowed Test Methods |
Formaldehyde 50-00-0 | 20 µg/m3 (16 ppb) | ISO 16000-3, 4; EPA TO-11a; EPA comp. IP-6A; ASTM D5197-16 |
Acetaldehyde 75-07-0 | 140 µg/m3 | |
Benzene 71-43-2 | 3 µg/m3 | ISO 16000-6; EPA IP-1; EPA TO-17; EPA TO-15; ISO 16017-1, 2; ASTM D6196-15 |
Hexane (n-) 110-54-3 | 7,000 µg/m3 | |
Naphthalene 91-20-3 | 9 µg/m3 | |
Phenol 108-95-2 | 200 µg/m3 | |
Styrene 100-42-5 | 900 µg/m3 | |
Tetrachloroethylene 127-18-4 | 35 µg/m3 | |
Toluene 108-88-3 | 300 µg/m3 | |
Vinyl acetate 108-05-4 | 200 µg/m3 | |
Dichlorobenzene (1,4-) 106-46-7 | 800 µg/m3 | |
Xylenes—total 108-38-3, 95-47-6, and 106-42-3 | 700 µg/m3 |
AND/OR
Option 2. Continuous Indoor Air Monitoring (1 point)
Provide indoor air monitors for all of the following parameters:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Particulate matter (PM2.5)
- TVOC
- Temperature
- Relative humidity
Monitors must be building grade or better and located between 3 and 6 feet (1–2 meters) above the floor.