The third bullet of IEQ 5 states the following:
In mechanically ventilated buildings, each ventilation system that supplies outdoor air shall comply with the
following:
– Particle filters or air cleaning devices shall be provided to clean the outdoor air at any location prior to its introduction to occupied spaces.
– These filters or devices shall be rated a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 or higher in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 52.2.
We have several AHUs (Air handling units) located on the roof of our building, and many FCUs (Fan Coil units) installed and located inside of our building. My understanding of the above is that we have to have MERV 13 filters only for the AHUs as they supplies outdoor air, and not the FCUs. Could someone please confirm?
Michael Smithing
Director - Green Building AdvisoryColliers International Ltd.
304 thumbs up
May 16, 2016 - 8:34 pm
That is correct. Compliant filters are required on the AHUs, not on the FCUs.
Rodolfo Loro, Jr.
Sustainability CoordinatorecoSolutions
3 thumbs up
December 19, 2019 - 1:34 am
I this still applicable for version 4?
Mohammad H Abbasi
Senior ConsultantWSP
LEEDuser Expert
18 thumbs up
December 19, 2019 - 10:32 am
Yes, the requirement is still valid for v4 and v4.1
Rodolfo Loro, Jr.
Sustainability CoordinatorecoSolutions
3 thumbs up
December 19, 2019 - 10:33 pm
Is there any references or exemptions when it comes to residential buildings having mechanical ventilation per unit and only FCU will provide Fresh Air? In the design process, FCU might not be able to supply fresh air if we will use MERV 13. Also, there is no centralized AHU for the system, each ventilation is set per unit.