EBOM-v5 EQc1: Indoor Air Quality Performance 1-10 points
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To support IAQ awareness and identify opportunities for additional air quality improvements or energy savings.
Requirements
Option 1. Continuous Indoor Air Monitoring (2–10 points)
Continuously measure one or more of the indicated indoor air parameters for a minimum of three consecutive months at an interval of no longer than one hour (15 minutes for carbon dioxide), with data collected at any point during the 12-month reporting period. Monitors must be building grade or better.
Points for continuously monitoring parameters are shown in Table 1. Projects can earn additional points by demonstrating compliance with the minimum and enhanced IAQ limits indicated in Table 1.
Table 1. Points for Continuous Indoor Air Monitoring
Parameter | Benchmark | LEED Points |
Carbon dioxide (CO2) | > 1,000 ppm | 2 |
1,000 ppm | 3 | |
800 ppm | 4 | |
PM2.5 | > 15 µg/m3 | 2 |
15 µg/m3 | 3 | |
12 µg/m3 | 4 | |
TVOC | Any level | 2 |
Meet the data requirements for each parameter for each sensor as follows:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2): 95th percentile value
- PM2.5: Daily average
- TVOC: Daily average in units of parts per million or micrograms per cubic meter
AND/OR
Option 2. Targeted One-time Air Testing (1–3 points)
Test for parameters listed in Table 2 at least once during the 12-month reporting period. Include a concurrent measurement of outdoor ambient air quality within the project boundary for reference comparison.
One point is available for testing and meeting the minimum IAQ limit for every two parameters listed in Table 2, for a total of up to 3 points. Use one of the allowed test methods listed in Table 2. One-time Air-testing. Project teams may use laboratory-based or direct-read test methods.
Table 2. One-Time Air Testing
Parameter | Concentration limit (µg/m3) | Allowed Test Methods | |
Laboratory-Based | Direct-Reading Instrument Minimum Specifications | ||
Carbon monoxide (CO) | 9 ppm and 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: PM 10 | ISO class 8 or lower per ISO 14644-1:2015 OR meet 50 μg/m3 | IP-10A | Accuracy (±): Greater of 5 μg/m3 or 20% of reading Resolution (±): 5 μg/m3 |
Particulates: PM2.5* | ISO class 8 or lower per ISO 14644-1:2015 OR meet 12 μg/m3 | IP-10A | Accuracy (±): Greater of 5 μg/m3 or 20% of reading Resolution (±): 5 μg/m3 |
OR, for projects located in an area where the national standard or guideline for PM2.5 is exceeded, meet 35 μg/m3 | |||
Ozone | 0.07 ppm | 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 |
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) | 40 µg/m3 (21 ppb) |
| Monitoring device with measurement range of 0–500 ppb, and lower detectable limit of 5 ppb |
TVOC* | N/A |
| Monitoring device that meets or exceeds building-grade sensor requirements |
NOTE: May not earn points for both targeted one-time air testing and continuous indoor air monitoring for the same parameter.
AND/OR
Option 3. Targeted One-Time Individual Volatile Organic Compounds Testing (2 points)
Test for all volatile organic compounds (VOCs) listed in Table 3 at least once during the 12-month reporting period. Laboratories that conduct the tests must be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 for the test methods they use.
Calculate the total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) value per EN 16516:2017; CDPH Standard Method v1.2 2017, Section 3.9.4;6 or an alternative calculation method if a 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 to associated cognizant authority health-based limits. Correct any identified issues and retest.
Two points are available for demonstrating that all contaminants do not exceed the concentration limits listed in Table 3.
Table 3. One-Time Air Testing of Individual Volatile Organic Compounds
Contaminant (CAS#) | Concentration Limit | Allowed Test Methods (Laboratory-Based) |
TVOC | Investigate and take corrective action if levels exceed 500 µg/m3. | ISO 16000-6; EPA TO-17; EPA TO-15 |
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 |
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To support IAQ awareness and identify opportunities for additional air quality improvements or energy savings.
Requirements
Option 1. Continuous Indoor Air Monitoring (2–10 points)
Continuously measure one or more of the indicated indoor air parameters for a minimum of three consecutive months at an interval of no longer than one hour (15 minutes for carbon dioxide), with data collected at any point during the 12-month reporting period. Monitors must be building grade or better.
Points for continuously monitoring parameters are shown in Table 1. Projects can earn additional points by demonstrating compliance with the minimum and enhanced IAQ limits indicated in Table 1.
Table 1. Points for Continuous Indoor Air Monitoring
Parameter | Benchmark | LEED Points |
Carbon dioxide (CO2) | > 1,000 ppm | 2 |
1,000 ppm | 3 | |
800 ppm | 4 | |
PM2.5 | > 15 µg/m3 | 2 |
15 µg/m3 | 3 | |
12 µg/m3 | 4 | |
TVOC | Any level | 2 |
Meet the data requirements for each parameter for each sensor as follows:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2): 95th percentile value
- PM2.5: Daily average
- TVOC: Daily average in units of parts per million or micrograms per cubic meter
AND/OR
Option 2. Targeted One-time Air Testing (1–3 points)
Test for parameters listed in Table 2 at least once during the 12-month reporting period. Include a concurrent measurement of outdoor ambient air quality within the project boundary for reference comparison.
One point is available for testing and meeting the minimum IAQ limit for every two parameters listed in Table 2, for a total of up to 3 points. Use one of the allowed test methods listed in Table 2. One-time Air-testing. Project teams may use laboratory-based or direct-read test methods.
Table 2. One-Time Air Testing
Parameter | Concentration limit (µg/m3) | Allowed Test Methods | |
Laboratory-Based | Direct-Reading Instrument Minimum Specifications | ||
Carbon monoxide (CO) | 9 ppm and 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: PM 10 | ISO class 8 or lower per ISO 14644-1:2015 OR meet 50 μg/m3 | IP-10A | Accuracy (±): Greater of 5 μg/m3 or 20% of reading Resolution (±): 5 μg/m3 |
Particulates: PM2.5* | ISO class 8 or lower per ISO 14644-1:2015 OR meet 12 μg/m3 | IP-10A | Accuracy (±): Greater of 5 μg/m3 or 20% of reading Resolution (±): 5 μg/m3 |
OR, for projects located in an area where the national standard or guideline for PM2.5 is exceeded, meet 35 μg/m3 | |||
Ozone | 0.07 ppm | 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 |
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) | 40 µg/m3 (21 ppb) |
| Monitoring device with measurement range of 0–500 ppb, and lower detectable limit of 5 ppb |
TVOC* | N/A |
| Monitoring device that meets or exceeds building-grade sensor requirements |
NOTE: May not earn points for both targeted one-time air testing and continuous indoor air monitoring for the same parameter.
AND/OR
Option 3. Targeted One-Time Individual Volatile Organic Compounds Testing (2 points)
Test for all volatile organic compounds (VOCs) listed in Table 3 at least once during the 12-month reporting period. Laboratories that conduct the tests must be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 for the test methods they use.
Calculate the total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) value per EN 16516:2017; CDPH Standard Method v1.2 2017, Section 3.9.4;6 or an alternative calculation method if a 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 to associated cognizant authority health-based limits. Correct any identified issues and retest.
Two points are available for demonstrating that all contaminants do not exceed the concentration limits listed in Table 3.
Table 3. One-Time Air Testing of Individual Volatile Organic Compounds
Contaminant (CAS#) | Concentration Limit | Allowed Test Methods (Laboratory-Based) |
TVOC | Investigate and take corrective action if levels exceed 500 µg/m3. | ISO 16000-6; EPA TO-17; EPA TO-15 |
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 |