In cases where facility alterations and additions are likely to be infrequent, project teams should include provisions in the IAQ management plan to ensure that the right people (facility managers, construction staff, contractors, etc.) are informed of the need to follow the plan when construction eventually occurs.

For HVAC systems that will be used during construction, use MERV 8 filters to meet IEQ1.5 requirements. If the building is also pursuing IEQc1.4, you should replace the MERV 8 filters with MERV 13 filters after the ventilation flush-out for long-term operation of the building.

The IAQ management plan must include provisions to protect all absorptive materials from moisture damage during construction. For example, absorptive materials should be covered and stored in dry conditions prior to their installation into the building.

This credit requires you to control and store any materials containing VOCs in proper ways. In contrast, MRc3: Sustainable Purchasing—Facility Alterations and Additions requires you to purchase low-emitting materials. 

Any single construction effort that affects more than 50% of the total building floor area, or causes the relocation of more than 50% of the building’s regular occupants, is not eligible for this credit or LEED-EBOM certification. Projects that fit this definition may choose to follow a different LEED rating system, such as LEED for New Construction or LEED for Schools. 

According to the LEED definition of facility alterations and additions, implementation of the IAQ management plan is required for construction that: 

involves more than one trade specialty; 
makes substantial changes to at least one entire room in the building, or increases the total building area by at least 5%; 
or requires isolation of the work site from regular building occupants for the duration of construction. 

In some cases, the building’s HVAC system may not be able to supply adequate air in a timely manner or at the required temperature and humidity levels. In these circumstances, teams can explore the use of temporary fans or other equipment to facilitate the flush-out.

IAQ control measures can often be implemented at no cost and are quite feasible. However, the flush-out can be complicated by occupancy scheduling conflicts, or by system constraints that make it challenging to blow an adequate volume of fresh air into the space.

Because it can’t begin until all interior work is complete, the flush-out usually leads to occupancy delays. In tenant-occupied buildings, this can present financial challenges.

The flush-out requirement complicates the credit and can make it difficult to achieve. In some cases, project teams may find that implementing this aspect of the plan is the principal challenge of the credit.