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LEED v2.2
New Construction
Indoor Environmental Quality

Construction IAQ Management Plan—Before Occupancy

LEED CREDIT

NC-v2.2 EQc3.2: Construction IAQ Management Plan—Before Occupancy 1 point

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Requirements

Develop and implement an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plan for the pre-occupancy phase as follows:

Option 1 — Flush-out
  • After construction ends, prior to occupancy and with all interior finishes installed, perform a building flushout by supplying a total air volume of 14,000 cu.ft. of outdoor air per sq.ft. of floor area while maintaining an internal temperature of at least 60 degrees F and relative humidity no higher than 60%. OR
  • If occupancy is desired prior to completion of the flush-out, the space may be occupied following delivery of a minimum of 3,500 cu.ft. of outdoor air per sq.ft. of floor area to the space. Once a space is occupied, it shall be ventilated at a minimum rate of 0.30 cfm/sq.ft. of outside air or the design minimum outside air rate determined in EQ Prerequisite 1, whichever is greater. During each day of the flush-out period, ventilation shall begin a minimum of three hours prior to occupancy and continue during occupancy. These conditions shall be maintained until a total of 14,000 cu.ft./sq.ft. of outside air has been delivered to the space.
OR
Option 2 — Air testing
  • Conduct baseline IAQ testing, after construction ends and prior to occupancy, using testing protocols consistent with the United States Environmental Protection Agency Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Air Pollutants in Indoor Air and as additionally detailed in the Reference Guide.
  • Demonstrate that the contaminant maximum concentrations listed below are not exceeded. [INSERT TABLE HERE]
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Frequently asked questions

Should we install furniture and furnishings before IAQ testing or flushout?

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The air temperature and/or relative humidity went out of the credit requirement specifications for a portion of the flush-out. What do we do? Can we extend the flush-out for the equivalent amount of time to make up for it?

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See all forum discussions about this credit »

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USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Develop and implement an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plan for the pre-occupancy phase as follows:

Option 1 — Flush-out
  • After construction ends, prior to occupancy and with all interior finishes installed, perform a building flushout by supplying a total air volume of 14,000 cu.ft. of outdoor air per sq.ft. of floor area while maintaining an internal temperature of at least 60 degrees F and relative humidity no higher than 60%. OR
  • If occupancy is desired prior to completion of the flush-out, the space may be occupied following delivery of a minimum of 3,500 cu.ft. of outdoor air per sq.ft. of floor area to the space. Once a space is occupied, it shall be ventilated at a minimum rate of 0.30 cfm/sq.ft. of outside air or the design minimum outside air rate determined in EQ Prerequisite 1, whichever is greater. During each day of the flush-out period, ventilation shall begin a minimum of three hours prior to occupancy and continue during occupancy. These conditions shall be maintained until a total of 14,000 cu.ft./sq.ft. of outside air has been delivered to the space.
OR
Option 2 — Air testing
  • Conduct baseline IAQ testing, after construction ends and prior to occupancy, using testing protocols consistent with the United States Environmental Protection Agency Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Air Pollutants in Indoor Air and as additionally detailed in the Reference Guide.
  • Demonstrate that the contaminant maximum concentrations listed below are not exceeded. [INSERT TABLE HERE]

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Got the gist of EQc3.2 but not sure how to actually achieve it? LEEDuser gives step-by-step help. Premium members get:

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  • Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
  • Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
  • Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.

Should we install furniture and furnishings before IAQ testing or flushout?

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.)

The air temperature and/or relative humidity went out of the credit requirement specifications for a portion of the flush-out. What do we do? Can we extend the flush-out for the equivalent amount of time to make up for it?

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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