Indoor Environmental Quality Controls During and After Construction Our intent was to protect indoor air quality during and after construction by following the requirements set forth in LEEDTM Indoor Environmental Quality Credits 3.1 and 3.2 (2 points), Construction IAQ Management Plan During and After Construction. The only requirement we could not meet was to install filtration media with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 13. This requirement is difficult to meet with smaller HVAC systems that can not accommodate the high static pressure losses through a MERV 13 filter. Nevertheless, we did all of the following:
Based on the description provided by the applicant, the project will not be able to meet the requirements of EQ credits 3.1& 3.2, and is asking for an innovation point for performing most of the requirements of BOTH sub-credits. As noted in the CIR ruling dated 10/25/2005, there are several one- and two-inch MERV 13 filters available in the marketplace with reasonably low static pressure drop/resistance, but it is too late for the project to employ these products for credit achievement. The Technical Advisory Group does not consider your proposal appropriate for an innovation credit. Innovation credits are typically awarded for demonstrating exemplary performance above and beyond specific credit requirements or thresholds, and for strategies not addressed within LEED. Note that under LEED-NC v2.2, the requirement for use of MERV 13 filters under EQc3.1 and EQc3.2 has been removed, and is part of the requirements for EQc5 Indoor Chemical and Pollution Source Control. Applicable Internationally.