Our project is a high school addition/renovation that will be occupied in phases. The mechanical system consists of VAV air handling units, VAV terminals, energy recovery units. Fan coil units and cabinet unit heaters are located in the stairwells and entries. We intend to implement a Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan. The Plan will incorporate the five control measures listed in the referenced standard. We will also protect all absorptive materials from moisture damage. During construction, all air handlers in operation will have a MERV-8 filter at each fresh air intake and operate at 100% outside air (no return air). The filters will be located prior (upstream) to the heating and cooling coils. We will de-energize the fan powered VAV terminals and operate the VAV terminal with only primary air from the air handling unit. The contractor will block the bypass air inlets on the air terminal units and turn off the return fan on the VAV\'s. As the fan coil units and cabinet heaters can not support MERV-8 filtration, they will not be used during construction. We will also keep the energy recovery units off line to prevent contamination of the wheel. MERV-8 filters will be provided on all return air intakes. Following the 3/6/2007 credit ruling, commissioning and balance testing procedures for those units will take place when indoor construction activities will not adversely affect indoor air quality. Immediately prior to occupancy, MERV-13 filters will be installed at all air handling units as stated in the 10/20/2003 credit ruling. Please confirm if the proposed compliance path meets the credit intent. If it is not acceptable, please clarify what changes are required in order to meet the credit requirements.
The project team is asking whether minimizing the introduction of unfiltered outside air to the building HVAC system, minimizing recirculation of air through the ventilation system, and keeping the energy recovery units, fan coil units, and cabinet heaters off line during construction achieve the filtration requirements of EQc3.1. The credit requires that MERV 8 filters be placed at each return air grill/intake if Air Handling Units are to be used during construction in order to protect all spaces from cross contamination due to construction activities. The credit intent implies that during construction no unfiltered air should be re-circulated through the building HVAC system (such as VAV terminals, fan coil units, etc) and that any air to be re-circulated is filtered through MERV 8 filters. The credit does not require that outside air be filtered before entry into the building HVAC system. Based on the narrative provided, the project team is installing MERV-8 filters on all return air intakes. The project team is also making sure that no air is re-circulated without filtration by blocking bypass air inlets, turning off return fans on VAV\'s and keeping the energy recovery units, fan coil units, and cabinet heaters off line during construction. Therefore the approach identified here meets the requirements of EQc3.1. The project team is not required to install filters on fresh air intakes in order to comply with the requirements of this credit. Applicable Internationally.