Our LEED team has developed a 2-week building flush-out protocol for credit 3.2; however, our mechanical engineers have requested some clarification regarding the building flush out requirements to ensure that the procedure is executed in strict accordance with LEED. Credit 3.2 requires a minimum two-week building flush-out with new filtration media at 100% outside air after construction ends and prior to occupancy. Shall we interpret this to mean 100% of the air handlers outside air capacity or 100% outside air with zero return air? If 100% outside air with no return air is required, this implies that air handlers should be equipped with airside economizers sized for 100% of design airflow. Typically, economizers are not practical or advisable in hot-humid climates. West Palm Beach has design temperatures of 90
The use of 100% outside air for flushout of the building is intended to quickly and fully remove odors and VOCs that are the result of the construction process. If the air is not fully exhausted during the flushout period, VOCs and contaminants are continuously recirculated throughout the entire building. The proposal for extending the flushout period in lieu of using 100% outside air is not an acceptable alternative. The credit allows for IAQ testing prior to occupancy as an alternative to building flushout procedures. Additionally, a previous credit ruling (dated 10/8/2002) provides an alternative on-site IAQ testing procedure that can be used to achieve this credit. Applicable internationally.