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NC-2009 IEQc3.1: Construction IAQ Management Plan—During Construction
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Dylan Connelly
Mechanical EngineerIntegral Group
LEEDuser Expert
472 thumbs up
February 3, 2012 - 7:39 pm
You don't need MERV 13 filters for the flush out. Only MERV 8. Then for EQc5 you would need to use MERV 13 where required by that credit.
Mech Engineer
LEED AP BD+C3 thumbs up
July 23, 2013 - 10:22 am
Since there was the addendum for IEQc5 to remove the MERV 13 at all returns, I have been searching for where the filtration requirement would be for non-outdoor air units. On one hand IEQc3 does say "Replace all filtration", which I could see someone interpreting to mean to replace MERV 8 with MERV 8, but it does not say really say what MERV to replace the MERV 8 with. And we know that for outdoor air units serving occupied spaces we would replace the MERV 8 with MERV 13. So, for non-outdoor air units that do not now require MERV 13, what should we replace the MERV 8 filters with prior to occupancy?
LEED BD+C 2009 published documentation on page 453 for IEQc3.1 says: If permanently installed air handlers are used during construction, filtration media with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 8 must be used at each return air grille, as determined by ASHRAE Standard 52.2-1999 (with errata but without addenda). Replace all filtration media immediately prior to occupancy.
The LEED BD+C 2009 addendum posted on 7/19/2010 for IEQc5 replaces the third bullet item on page 511 to now read: • In mechanically ventilated buildings, each ventilation system that supplies outdoor air shall comply with the following: o Particle filters or air cleaning devices shall be provided to clean the outdoor air at any location prior to its introduction to occupied spaces. o These filters or devices shall be rated a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 or higher in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 52.2. o Clean air Filtration media shall be installed in all air systems after completion of construction and prior to occupancy.
ASHRAE 62.1-2007 paragraph 5.9 says: Particulate Matter Removal. Particulate matter filters or air cleaners having a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of not less than 6 when rated in accordance with ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 52.2 shall be provided upstream of all cooling coils or other devices with wetted surfaces through which air is supplied to an occupiable space.
First, it appears to me that IEQc3.1 does not require that the MERV 8 construction filters be replaced with MERV 8 filters. Second, the addendum for IEQc5 now requires MERV 13 only for outdoor air delivered to occupiable spaces. Third, ASHRAE 62.1 only requires MERV 6 upstream of wetted dehumidification surfaces. Therefore, it appears to me that all units operated during construction need MERV 8, then prior to occupancy outdoor air units that deliver air to occupied spaces need MERV 13, then prior to occupancy units that dehumidify need MERV 6, and then coil units and unit heaters that are not used for dehumidification do not appear to require any filtration.
What MERV are you finding the reviewers requiring be installed prior to occupancy on non-outdoor air units with wet coils? Or, on non-outdoor air units with dry coils? And, where is that MERV requirement published?
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11477 thumbs up
November 3, 2013 - 8:47 pm
Mech Engineer, I think you are overthinking it. There is no LEED specification for this.
kathy zarsky
Systems DirectorHOLOS
15 thumbs up
December 10, 2013 - 3:15 pm
I've recently come to the same conclusion about the requirement for MERV 6 as a minimum for permanent filters. This should be part of what is called for with IEQp1 (ASHRAE 62.1-2007, paragraph 5.9), but the only documentation of this occurs in the table for IEQc3.1. This would make it a LEED requirement, right? I'm not following Tristan's response, so please correct me if I'm also overthinking this. Providing MERV supporting documentation for permanent filters logged in IEQc3.1 would seem to be for this purpose.
Dylan Connelly
Mechanical EngineerIntegral Group
LEEDuser Expert
472 thumbs up
December 16, 2013 - 7:13 pm
Mech Engineer, Kathy - Correct, MERV 6 is required to meet the ASHRAE requirements which is a LEED IEQp1 requirement.
kathy zarsky
Systems DirectorHOLOS
15 thumbs up
December 18, 2013 - 1:44 pm
Dylan, can you clarify if MERV 6 is still a requirement for non-outdoor units with dry coils? The ASHRAE standard specifically calls for MERV 6 or greater filters to be provided "upstream of all cooling coils or other devices with wetted surfaces through which air is supplied to an occupied space."
Dylan Connelly
Mechanical EngineerIntegral Group
LEEDuser Expert
472 thumbs up
January 24, 2014 - 9:30 pm
How is it a dry coil? Heating only? Even an indoor unit with cooling can condense and become wet. Cooling coils need need a filter