With reference to LEED version 2.0, IEQ Credit 1: Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Monitoring: Our project is a 4-story, 112,000-ft office building located in Denver, Colorado. The building is cooled and heated by two 1,563 MBH air handling units (AHUs) located on the roof of the building. In efforts to maximize indoor air quality, we plan on installing a CO2 monitor in the return air duct of each AHU. In addition, we plan to install a CO2 monitor in the return air duct serving the two rooms in the building with the highest probability of having high CO2 levels. These monitors will provide feedback to the building control system, allowing operational adjustments to be made to the HVAC system. Assuming we provide the necessary drawings and cut sheets, will our approach meet the requirements of this credit?
From the information provided, it is not clear if the intent of this credit has been met. The credit requires that indoor CO2 levels be monitored to prevent indoor CO2 from exceeding ambient (outdoor) CO2 by more than 530 ppm. Your description does not seem to include any way to determine this threshold above ambient conditions. Furthermore, it is unclear what adjustments will be made to system operation if a high CO2 reading is indicated at any of the monitors. To achieve the credit, the project must include information about the control system which describes how CO2 levels are monitored and maintained. Finally, the system must address building-wide CO2 levels. The Reference Guide indicates that the CO2 monitoring system should address the building\'s regularly occupied spaces. Monitoring areas with anticipated high concentrations of CO2 helps insure that these areas are not missed, but they should not be the only areas served by the system. By the same token, the areas with the highest CO2 should not drive the entire building into an accelerated ventilation mode, so the logic of the control system in this building will be important to designing an effective CO2 monitoring system. Applicable internationally.