Our project developed and implemented a Construction IAQ Management Plan that followed the referenced SMACNA Guidelines. The project documentation states that MERV 8 filters were installed during construction when the permanent HVAC system was in use. A copy of the project's Construction IAQ Management Plan and photos highlighting the implemented IAQ measures have been provided. In our photo log we identified that temporary AHUs were used during construction to protect permanent HVAC systems.

The LEED construction reviewer is requesting documentation showing MERV 8 filters were used for the temporary AHUs used during construction, however, this is not a credit requirement. The credit requires MERV 8 filters be used to protect the permanent HVAC systems. There is no requirement in the LEED guidelines that states that the MERV 8 filters be used for temporary air handler units and the LEED manual suggests the use of temporary air handlers to protect the permanent HVAC systems.

The manual requirement for LEED for Schools 2007 states "If permanently installed air handlers are used during construction, filtration media with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 8 shall be used at each return air grille, as determined by ASHRAE 52.2-1999. Replace all filtration media immediately prior to occupancy."

We started up our HVAC system at the end of construction and used the MERV 8 filters to comply with the credit requirements, however a few months earlier in the project we used temporary air handlers that are not part of the permanent HVAC system.

Is there a requirement for MERV 8 filters to be used during construction on the temporary AHU's when the permanent HVAC system is not in use?