Pilot-Credits EQpc165: Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance: IAQP compliance path

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Requirements

For LEED v4/v4.1 BD+C projects, this pilot ACP is available as an alternative to LEED EQ prerequisite Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance. Project teams may earn up to 3 points depending on the Option pursued. Projects wishing to use the Ventilation Rate Procedure or Natural Ventilation Procedure for some spaces may do so and only apply this pilot ACP to the spaces using IAQP.

Option 1. Contaminant-based acceptable IAQ design (prerequisite plus 2 Innovation points)

1.1 Design spaces per ASHRAE 62.1-2022, Section 6.3 Indoor Air Quality Procedure, using the compounds and limits in Table 1, as defined by ASHRAE Standard 62.1.

1.2 Comply with the following requirements for air cleaning efficiency & byproduct generation:

1. Air cleaners must meet section 5.9.1.
2. Air cleaning efficiency: air cleaning devices must meet Addendum N to ASHRAE 62.1-2022: section 6.3.4 for Air Cleaning.
3. Byproduct generation: Air cleaning systems must be third-party tested to produce no harmful byproducts, specifically Ozone and formaldehyde.
   • Use the same efficiency test method, formaldehyde/ozone measurement method, and air cleaning operating conditions (such as voltage, flow, and other settings) as those used for the efficiency test. For formaldehyde, use limonene as challenge gas with an input challenge concentration of 100 ppb. Demonstrate that ozone and formaldehyde concentrations are not increased above background levels by an amount greater than the accuracy level of the selected measurement method.

1.3 Compare Vbz as calculated by IAQP to Vbz as calculated per Ventilation Rate Procedure (VRP) per Section 6.2. If total airflow quantity (cfm) calculated by IAQP is greater than or equal to quantity calculated by VRP, section 2 below (and the relevant M&V section from ASHRAE Section 7) is not required.

1.4 Comply with ASHRAE 62.1-2022 sections 4, 5, 6.5, 7

AND

2. Indoor Air Quality Procedure Verification

2.1 After occupancy, thirty to sixty days after the issuance of certificate of occupancy, test indoor air for contaminants. The test plan must be pre-approved by USGBC and GBCI before conducting the test.

2.2 Conduct IAQ testing in occupied spaces for the design compounds specified in Table 1. per ASHRAE Standard 62.1 Tables 7.1, 7.2, and 7.3 and Section 7.3.1.1.

2.3 Survey occupants on perceived indoor air quality. Conduct the surveying thirty to sixty days after the issuance of certificate of occupancy. The occupant satisfaction responses must be collected from a representative sample of building occupants making up at least 30% of the total occupants. Comply with ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2022 Section 7.3.2.

2.4 Discuss test results with building owner, highlighting any areas of improvement or concern as well as areas of strength. (Projects shall demonstrate contaminants at or below concentration limits, and occupant IAQ acceptability at or above 80% from survey results).

Design Compound or PM2.5	Cognizant Authority	Acceptable IAQ
Acetaldehyde	Cal EPA CREL (June 2016)	140 ug/m3
Acetone	AgBB LCI	1200 ug/m3
Benzene	Cal EPA CREL (June 2016)	3 ug/m3
Dichloromethane	Cal EPA CREL (June 2016)	400 ug/m3
Formaldehyde	Cal EPA 8-hour REL (2004)	33 ug/m3
Naphthalene	Cal EPA CREL (June 2016)	9 ug/m3
Phenol	AgBB LCI	10 ug/m3
Tetrachloroethylene	Cal EPA CREL (June 2016)	35 ug/m3
Toluene	Cal EPA CREL (June 2016)	300 ug/m3
1,1,1-trichloroethane	Cal EPA CREL (June 2016)	1000 ug/m3
Xylene, total	AgBB LCI	500 ug/m3
Carbon monoxide	USEPA NAAQS	9 ppm
PM2.5	USEPA NAAQS (annual mean)	12 ug/m3
Ozone	USEPA NAAQS	70 ppb or 137 ug/m3
Ammonia (for spaces with animals)	Cal EPA CREL (June 2016)	200 ug/m3

OR

Option 2. Contaminant-based enhanced IAQ design (prerequisite plus 2 innovation points and 1 point under EQc Enhanced IAQ strategies)

Comply with the requirements of Option 1

AND

In addition to designing and testing for the compounds and limits based on Table 1, design and test for PM2.5, formaldehyde, and ozone using Table 2.

Design Compound or PM2.5	Acceptable IAQ	Enhanced IAQ1
PM2.5	12 ug/m3	10 ug/m3
Formaldehyde	33 µg/m³	20 µg/m³
Ozone	70 ppb	10 ppb

¹references for Enhanced IAQ limits:
PM2.5:,
Formaldehyde:

Ozone: limit indoors as much as possible. The number here suggested is 10 ppb as referenced in Environmental Health Committee (EHC) Emerging Issue Report.

Submittals

General

Register for the pilot credit

• Participate in the optional LEEDuser pilot credit forum
• Complete the feedback survey:

Feedback Survey

Documentation/Compliance

• Description of engineering analysis, including any associated calculations and design assumptions.
• Supporting documentation for electronic air cleaning devices, confirming compliance with ASHRAE 62/1 section 5.9.1, Addendum N to ASHRAE 62.1-2022: section 6/3/4 for Air Cleaning, and compliance with the byproduct generation requirements.
• Confirmation that project complies with ASHRAE 62.1-2022 sections 4, 5, 6.5, 7.
• Training and experience documentation for individuals involved in the IAQ evaluation and testing.
• Copy of IAQ test plan with pre-approval from USGBC/GBCI
• IAQ evaluation report
• Results of occupant satisfaction survey

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