Forum discussion
NC-v4 EQc3: Construction indoor air quality management plan
Does anyone have an example of how construction work area depressurization (in order to create a pressure difference between construction and clean areas) was implemented and in which situations? Is it a mandatory requirement or a suggestion?
Thanks!
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Ashwini Arun
Senior Sustainability ManagerWSP
LEEDuser Expert
61 thumbs up
December 17, 2018 - 4:54 pm
Danilo,
I believe depressurization can be achieved by exhausting the areas that generate a high amount of construction dust, for example, wood or drywall cutting from the cleaner areas. Containing these construction areas by temporarily hanging plastic and then exhausting them would create a negative pressure.
When developing the IAQ plan the contractor has to incorporate all the recommended SMACNA guidelines that are applicable to the project. The guidelines are intended to maintain good indoor air quality during construction. In order to prevent circulation of contaminated air, project teams need to either install temporary barriers or exhaust the area to create a pressure difference. It really depends on the type of construction activity that takes place. The project team can decide what is more applicable to their project.
Danilo Ilic
Mechanical DesignerIntegral Group
13 thumbs up
December 18, 2018 - 4:07 am
Thanks for the answer Ashwini. I don't have the SMACNA guidelines so I am not sure if this is mandatory or not and if it depends on the type of projects and construction process. Maybe only certain construction activities need to be properly contained and air exhausted from the rooms where they are taking place. For the rest, it should be sufficient to just hang plastic barriers to isolate construction areas. That's my take on that, just wanted to see in exactly which situations depressurization is applied to.
On another note, what is considered a "Clean Area"? An area that is clean from air pollutants?
Ashwini Arun
Senior Sustainability ManagerWSP
LEEDuser Expert
61 thumbs up
December 18, 2018 - 2:52 pm
The strategy for Pathway Interruption is left to the discretion of the project team. I don't believe depressurization is mandatory and if project teams feel that temporary barriers are sufficient for the type of construction activity that takes place at their site, then that should be fine.
With regards to Clean Areas, they are either occupied areas or areas that are free from construction debris.
Hope that helps.
Danilo Ilic
Mechanical DesignerIntegral Group
13 thumbs up
December 19, 2018 - 4:25 am
Thanks, Ashwini. That's a good and very clear answer.