Ben Stanley
WSP - Built Ecology
Senior Sustainability Manager
Healthcare-v4 EQp1: Minimum indoor air quality performance Required
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Meet the following requirements for both ventilation and monitoring.Ventilation
Mechanically Ventilated Spaces
For mechanically ventilated spaces (and for mixed-mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is activated), determine the minimum outdoor air intake flow for mechanical ventilations systems using the ventilation rates in ASHRAE Standard 170–2008, Section 7; the requirements of the 2010 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities (Table 2.1–2); or a local equivalent, whichever is most stringent [Canada ACP]. For any area not covered in 170 or the FGI guidelines, follow ASHRAE 62.1 or a local equivalent, whichever is more stringent and meet the minimum requirements of ASHRAE Standard 170–2008, Sections 6–8, Ventilation of Health Care Facilities (with errata) or a USGBC-approved equivalent standard for projects outside the U.S.Naturally Ventilated Spaces
For naturally ventilated spaces (and for mixed-mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is inactivated), determine the minimum outdoor air opening and space configuration requirements using the natural ventilation procedure of ASHRAE Standard 62.1–2010 (with errata) or a local equivalent, whichever is more stringent. Confirm that natural ventilation is an effective strategy for the project by following the flow diagram in Figure 2.8 of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Applications Manual AM10, March 2005, Natural Ventilation in Nondomestic Buildings. [Latin America ACP: Engineered Natural Ventilation Systems]Monitoring
Mechanically Ventilated Spaces
For mechanically ventilated spaces (and for mixed-mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is activated), provide a direct outdoor airflow measurement device capable of measuring the minimum outdoor air intake flow. This device must measure the minimum outdoor air intake flow with an accuracy of +/–10% of the design minimum outdoor airflow rate defined by the ventilation requirements above. An alarm must alert staff whenever the outdoor airflow value varies by 15% or more from the outdoor airflow setpoint.Naturally Ventilated Spaces
For naturally ventilated spaces (and for mixed-mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is inactivated), comply with at least one of the following strategies.- Provide a direct exhaust airflow measurement device capable of measuring the exhaust airflow with an accuracy of +/–10% of the design minimum exhaust airflow rate. An alarm must indicate when airflow values vary by 15% or more from the exhaust airflow setpoint.
- Provide automatic indication devices on all natural ventilation openings intended to meet the minimum opening requirements. An alarm must indicate when any one of the openings is closed during occupied hours.
- Monitor carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations within each thermal zone. CO2 monitors must be between 3 and 6 feet (900 and 1 800 millimeters) above the floor and within the thermal zone. CO2 monitors must have an audible or visual indicator or alert the building automation system if the sensed CO2 concentration exceeds the setpoint by more than 10%. Calculate appropriate CO2 setpoints by using the methods in ASHRAE 62.1–2010, Appendix C.
Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)
Canada ACP
Projects in Canada may consider CAN/CSA-Z317.2-10 - Special requirements for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in health care facilities as an equivalent to ASHRAE Standard 170–2008, Section 7 and the 2010 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities (Table 2.1–2).Latin America ACP: Engineered Natural Ventilation Systems
Projects in Latin America may follow the Verification Protocol for Engineered Natural Ventilation Systems in Equatorial Climates and receive a design review and approval from the Colombian Professional Association of Air-conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration (ACAIRE). See all forum discussions about this credit »Frequently asked questions
A building has fan-assisted ventilation and no mechanical cooling system. Does this qualify as natural ventilation?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
What options are available to mechanically ventilated projects outside the U.S. to meet this prerequisite?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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LEEDuser overview
Frank advice from LEED experts
LEED is changing all the time, and every project is unique. Even seasoned professionals can miss a critical detail and lose a credit or even a prerequisite at the last minute. Our expert advice guides our LEEDuser Premium members and saves you valuable time.
For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium
Already a premium member? Log in now
Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Meet the following requirements for both ventilation and monitoring.Ventilation
Mechanically Ventilated Spaces
For mechanically ventilated spaces (and for mixed-mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is activated), determine the minimum outdoor air intake flow for mechanical ventilations systems using the ventilation rates in ASHRAE Standard 170–2008, Section 7; the requirements of the 2010 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities (Table 2.1–2); or a local equivalent, whichever is most stringent [Canada ACP]. For any area not covered in 170 or the FGI guidelines, follow ASHRAE 62.1 or a local equivalent, whichever is more stringent and meet the minimum requirements of ASHRAE Standard 170–2008, Sections 6–8, Ventilation of Health Care Facilities (with errata) or a USGBC-approved equivalent standard for projects outside the U.S.Naturally Ventilated Spaces
For naturally ventilated spaces (and for mixed-mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is inactivated), determine the minimum outdoor air opening and space configuration requirements using the natural ventilation procedure of ASHRAE Standard 62.1–2010 (with errata) or a local equivalent, whichever is more stringent. Confirm that natural ventilation is an effective strategy for the project by following the flow diagram in Figure 2.8 of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Applications Manual AM10, March 2005, Natural Ventilation in Nondomestic Buildings. [Latin America ACP: Engineered Natural Ventilation Systems]Monitoring
Mechanically Ventilated Spaces
For mechanically ventilated spaces (and for mixed-mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is activated), provide a direct outdoor airflow measurement device capable of measuring the minimum outdoor air intake flow. This device must measure the minimum outdoor air intake flow with an accuracy of +/–10% of the design minimum outdoor airflow rate defined by the ventilation requirements above. An alarm must alert staff whenever the outdoor airflow value varies by 15% or more from the outdoor airflow setpoint.Naturally Ventilated Spaces
For naturally ventilated spaces (and for mixed-mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is inactivated), comply with at least one of the following strategies.- Provide a direct exhaust airflow measurement device capable of measuring the exhaust airflow with an accuracy of +/–10% of the design minimum exhaust airflow rate. An alarm must indicate when airflow values vary by 15% or more from the exhaust airflow setpoint.
- Provide automatic indication devices on all natural ventilation openings intended to meet the minimum opening requirements. An alarm must indicate when any one of the openings is closed during occupied hours.
- Monitor carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations within each thermal zone. CO2 monitors must be between 3 and 6 feet (900 and 1 800 millimeters) above the floor and within the thermal zone. CO2 monitors must have an audible or visual indicator or alert the building automation system if the sensed CO2 concentration exceeds the setpoint by more than 10%. Calculate appropriate CO2 setpoints by using the methods in ASHRAE 62.1–2010, Appendix C.
Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)
Canada ACP
Projects in Canada may consider CAN/CSA-Z317.2-10 - Special requirements for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems in health care facilities as an equivalent to ASHRAE Standard 170–2008, Section 7 and the 2010 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities (Table 2.1–2).Latin America ACP: Engineered Natural Ventilation Systems
Projects in Latin America may follow the Verification Protocol for Engineered Natural Ventilation Systems in Equatorial Climates and receive a design review and approval from the Colombian Professional Association of Air-conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration (ACAIRE). See all forum discussions about this credit »Frequently asked questions
A building has fan-assisted ventilation and no mechanical cooling system. Does this qualify as natural ventilation?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
What options are available to mechanically ventilated projects outside the U.S. to meet this prerequisite?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
For full access, sign up now for LEEDuser Premium
Already a premium member? Log in now
Frequently asked questions
A building has fan-assisted ventilation and no mechanical cooling system. Does this qualify as natural ventilation?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
What options are available to mechanically ventilated projects outside the U.S. to meet this prerequisite?The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Guest expert
Ben Stanley
WSP - Built Ecology
Senior Sustainability Manager