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INpc156Safety First: Maintenance of HVAC systems during COVID-19 Safety First: Maintenance of HVAC systems during COVID-19

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Pilot-Credits INpc156: Safety First: Maintenance of HVAC systems during COVID-19 1 point

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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intent

Pilot Credit Closed
This pilot credit is closed to new registrations

These special pilot credits are awarded based on project teams attempting to meet the requirements to the best of their ability and providing feedback on the requirements. The credits may change as feedback is received.

To maintain the well-being of occupants by addressing indoor air quality issues that may influence spread of the coronavirus.

Requirements

For LEED O+M v4.1 initial or LEED v4.1 or v4 recertification projects, projects may be awarded additional LEED points under Innovation for achieving these credits.

For LEED v4 O+M initial certification projects, this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Innovation.


During the pandemic, continue to maintain the HVAC systems using ASHRAE Standard 180 - Standard Practice for Inspection and Maintenance of Commercial Building HVAC Systems or Table 8.2 of ASHRAE 62.1-2016 or equivalent. Check specifically:
  • Regularly maintain heating and cooling coils and condensate drain pans. Clean coils and drain pans using an appropriate surface cleaner or foaming agent (avoid using pressure washing that may re-aerosolize particles on the coil surface) as necessary to ensure proper operation.
  • Inspect HVAC system air filters and filter frames for proper pressure drop, fit, and potential for air bypass. Confirm pressure drop and check scheduled replacement date of filters and air-cleaning devices. Clean or replace HVAC air filters as necessary to ensure proper operation.
  • Include information on ventilation system operation and preventative maintenance in the current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan required for compliance with EA prerequisite Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices.
  • Verify dampers, including seals and frames, are intact, clean, functional and, responding to control signals appropriately. Verify setting of any manual dampers.
  • Verify Air Handling systems are providing adequate airflow with no blockages in the duct system (for example – closed fire/smoke dampers) and supply air from the HVAC system is provided to each occupied space.
  • Verify exhaust fans are functioning properly and venting to the outdoors.
For occupied buildings, HVAC maintenance activities should be continued during periods of COVID-19 concern, so long as these activities can be performed safely, to ensure good indoor air quality for the building occupants. Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for building operators, maintenance technicians as appropriate. Refer to ASHRAE COVID-19 Guidance filtration/disinfection Sections: Facilities/Maintenance – PPE Basics and HVAC System Maintenance and Filter Replacement during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak is an ongoing, developing situation with a rapidly changing legal and regulatory landscape; the information and guidance provided in the LEED Safety First Pilot Credits may at any time not be current and USGBC does not guarantee the accuracy of the information. In preparing this guidance and its conclusions and recommendations, USGBC has tried to incorporate the best available information at the time the guidance was prepared. The results of future studies may require revisions to the recommendations in this guidance.

The recommendations included in the LEED Safety First Pilot Credits do not set a standard, nor should they be deemed either inclusive of all proper methods or exclusive of other methods for workplace reentry. The ultimate judgment regarding the utility of any specific approach and when it is safe to re-enter workspaces must be made by you in light of all circumstances and variables.

USGBC encourages projects teams and owners to monitor publicly available information and to always follow federal, state and local health organization guidance and government mandates. Where appropriate, you should seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional or relevant government office in your location for advice on current laws and regulations.

Submittals

General
Register for the pilot credit Feedback Survey
Documentation/Compliance
  • Description of verification checks performed for the building systems
Changes
  • 3.25.21 - Original Publication
  • 2.17.23 - Closed for Registration
See all forum discussions about this credit »

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LEEDuser tip sheets, written by our team of LEED experts, fill gaps in knowledge we’ve observed between the LEED Reference Guide, LEED Online, and LEED Interpretations. We update them regularly so that our members get the most relevant guidance for current issues on their projects.

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USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Intent

Pilot Credit Closed
This pilot credit is closed to new registrations

These special pilot credits are awarded based on project teams attempting to meet the requirements to the best of their ability and providing feedback on the requirements. The credits may change as feedback is received.

To maintain the well-being of occupants by addressing indoor air quality issues that may influence spread of the coronavirus.

Requirements

For LEED O+M v4.1 initial or LEED v4.1 or v4 recertification projects, projects may be awarded additional LEED points under Innovation for achieving these credits.

For LEED v4 O+M initial certification projects, this pilot credit is available for 1 point under Innovation.


During the pandemic, continue to maintain the HVAC systems using ASHRAE Standard 180 - Standard Practice for Inspection and Maintenance of Commercial Building HVAC Systems or Table 8.2 of ASHRAE 62.1-2016 or equivalent. Check specifically:
  • Regularly maintain heating and cooling coils and condensate drain pans. Clean coils and drain pans using an appropriate surface cleaner or foaming agent (avoid using pressure washing that may re-aerosolize particles on the coil surface) as necessary to ensure proper operation.
  • Inspect HVAC system air filters and filter frames for proper pressure drop, fit, and potential for air bypass. Confirm pressure drop and check scheduled replacement date of filters and air-cleaning devices. Clean or replace HVAC air filters as necessary to ensure proper operation.
  • Include information on ventilation system operation and preventative maintenance in the current facilities requirements and operations and maintenance plan required for compliance with EA prerequisite Energy Efficiency Best Management Practices.
  • Verify dampers, including seals and frames, are intact, clean, functional and, responding to control signals appropriately. Verify setting of any manual dampers.
  • Verify Air Handling systems are providing adequate airflow with no blockages in the duct system (for example – closed fire/smoke dampers) and supply air from the HVAC system is provided to each occupied space.
  • Verify exhaust fans are functioning properly and venting to the outdoors.
For occupied buildings, HVAC maintenance activities should be continued during periods of COVID-19 concern, so long as these activities can be performed safely, to ensure good indoor air quality for the building occupants. Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for building operators, maintenance technicians as appropriate. Refer to ASHRAE COVID-19 Guidance filtration/disinfection Sections: Facilities/Maintenance – PPE Basics and HVAC System Maintenance and Filter Replacement during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak is an ongoing, developing situation with a rapidly changing legal and regulatory landscape; the information and guidance provided in the LEED Safety First Pilot Credits may at any time not be current and USGBC does not guarantee the accuracy of the information. In preparing this guidance and its conclusions and recommendations, USGBC has tried to incorporate the best available information at the time the guidance was prepared. The results of future studies may require revisions to the recommendations in this guidance.

The recommendations included in the LEED Safety First Pilot Credits do not set a standard, nor should they be deemed either inclusive of all proper methods or exclusive of other methods for workplace reentry. The ultimate judgment regarding the utility of any specific approach and when it is safe to re-enter workspaces must be made by you in light of all circumstances and variables.

USGBC encourages projects teams and owners to monitor publicly available information and to always follow federal, state and local health organization guidance and government mandates. Where appropriate, you should seek the advice of an appropriate licensed professional or relevant government office in your location for advice on current laws and regulations.

Submittals

General
Register for the pilot credit Feedback Survey
Documentation/Compliance
  • Description of verification checks performed for the building systems
Changes
  • 3.25.21 - Original Publication
  • 2.17.23 - Closed for Registration
See all LEEDuser forum discussions about this credit » Subscribe to new discussions about Pilot-Credits INpc156