Forum discussion

NC-2009 IEQc5:Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control

Clean Linen closets and Dirty Utility rooms in a rehab center

Are linen closets and dirty utility rooms required to have exhaust to meet this credit? I know laundry rooms are

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Thu, 04/16/2015 - 00:36

I assume that you're asking this question relative to IEQc5? It depends on what's happening in those closets/rooms. If there's chemical mixing, they need exhaust; otherwise, they don't. My guess is that the linen closet doesn't need exhaust, but without knowing what the utility room is being used for, it's hard to say.

Thu, 04/16/2015 - 04:25

Catalina—Health regulations in many US jurisdictions require exhaust to maintain a negative pressure differential in soiled utility rooms in hospitals, surgery centers, nursing homes, and other healthcare occupancies. When this is required, it is usually for odor and infection control. Insofar as odors & germs are undesirable contaminants that negatively affect indoor air quality and occupant health, these rooms might be applicable toward IEQc5 even if chemical mixing does not occur. Clean linen rooms are typically for clean and sterile goods. The same regulations mentioned above often require positive pressure in clean storerooms, so exhaust fans would be inappropriate.

Thu, 04/16/2015 - 20:50

From a LEED point of view, I agree with Helen as the credit intent is regarding the use of chemicals in those rooms. As for the medical planning, your project team will need to determine which year of the "Guidelines for Design and Construction of Hospitals and Outpatient Facilities" the project falls under, if your project is in the US. There is a subsection devoted to Rehab Hospitals.

Thu, 05/14/2015 - 16:10

I have always included soiled utility rooms on the list of rooms to comply with EQc5 requirements, but not clean linen. As the others stated, confirm that the the clean utility doesn't contain anything "hazardous."

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