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LEED v2009
Existing Building Operations
Indoor Environmental Quality

IAQ Best Management Practices—Reduce Particulates in Air Distribution

LEED CREDIT

EBOM-2009 IEQc1.4: Indoor air quality best management practices - reduce particulates in air distribution 1 point

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

Requirements

In mechanically ventilated buildings, each ventilation system that supplies outdoor air shall comply with the following during the performance period:

  • Particle filters or air cleaning devices shall clean the outdoor air at any location prior to its introduction to occupied spaces.
  • These filters or devices shall meet one of the following criteria for all outside air intakes and inside air recirculation returns:
    • Filtration Media is rated a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 52.2 or greater
    • Filtration media is Class F7 or higher, as defined by CEN Standard EN 779: 2002, Particulate air filters for general ventilation, Determination of the filtration performance
    • Filtration media has a minimum dust spot efficiency of 80% or higher and greater than 98% arrestance on a particle size of 3–10 µg
  • Establish and follow a regular schedule for maintenance and replacement of these filtration media according to the manufacturer’s recommended interval.
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Frequently asked questions

Is it true that MERV 13 filtration is no longer required for return air circulation?

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Can we earn this credit by adopting a phase-out plan of our old filters and replacing them with MERV 13 filters?

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Can we use pre-filtration in combination with filters that are less than MERV 13 in order to earn the credit? For example if we use carbon pre-filters combined with MERV 11 would that work?

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We are working on a project outside of the U.S. What options do we have for an alternative but equivalent standard to the MERV 13 filter.

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See all forum discussions about this credit »

Addenda

7/6/2012Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
The second new bullet should read: "Filtration media is Class F7 or higher, as defined by CEN Standard EN 779: 2002, Particulate air filters for general ventilation, Determination of the filtration performance"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/6/2012Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Under the second bullet, add three bullets, indented:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
11/3/2010Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Replace the paragraph with the following:In mechanically ventilated buildings, each ventilation system that suppliesoutdoor air shall comply with the following during the performance period:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Delete the Alternative Compliance Path for Projects Outside the U.S.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
11/3/2010Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Replace the paragraph with the following:In mechanically ventilated buildings, each ventilation system that suppliesoutdoor air shall comply with the following during the performance period:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
The third new bullet should read: "Filtration media has a minimum dust spot efficiency of 80% or higher and greater than 98% arrestance on a particle size of 3-10
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/6/2012Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
The first new bullet should read: "Filtration Media is rated a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 52.2 or greater"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
11/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In alphabetical order, add the following definition for nonoccupied spaces, "Nonoccupied spaces are defined as spaces designed for equipment and machinery or storage with no human occupancy except for maintenance, repairs, and equipment retrieval."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In alphabetical order, add the following definition for occupied spaces, "Occupied Spaces are defined as enclosed spaces that can accommodate human activities. Occupied spaces are further classified as regularly occupied or non-regularly occupied spaces based on the duration of the occupancy, individual or multi-occupant based on the quantity of occupants, and densely or non-densely occupied spaces based upon the concentration of occupants in the space."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
The second bullet should read "These filters or devices shall meet one of the following criteria for all outside air intakes and inside air recirculation returns:"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
5/30/2007
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Background: Our project is a high rise building with street level entrances and below grade level building entrances from an inter-modal transportation hall, public transportation systems, and directly from other buildings. This inter-modal transportation hall includes an indoor shopping / amenity arcade, which connects a wide range of retail shops and public transportation (PATH, MTA). This inter-modal transportation network (which is not included in the scope of Tower One) will be a fully enclosed space with conditioned and filtered air, that will also be clean and maintained. The distance traveled from the closest outdoor entry point through the inter-modal transportation hall to the building concourse level entrance is over 500 feet Project Design Approach for Applying EQc5: The entire project design does meet and exceed the air filtration, partitioning, and exhaust requirements of EQc5. The street level entryways designs do have permanent walk off systems that meet the requirements in EQc5. Conclusion and CIR: The concourse entrances will be regular entry points to the building. The concourse entrances are accessed via a conditioned, filtered, clean indoor space and as such it is a significantly cleaner adjacent environment than the street. We are requesting confirmation of our interpretation that the concourse entrances are not "entryways that are directly connected to the out doors" as stated in the EQc5 requirement for the application of walk off systems.

Ruling:

The requirements of EQc5 apply only to entryways that are directly connected to the outdoors. The connection between concourses and interior space does not apply to the requirements of this credit. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
See all forum discussions about this credit »

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USGBC logo

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

Requirements

In mechanically ventilated buildings, each ventilation system that supplies outdoor air shall comply with the following during the performance period:

  • Particle filters or air cleaning devices shall clean the outdoor air at any location prior to its introduction to occupied spaces.
  • These filters or devices shall meet one of the following criteria for all outside air intakes and inside air recirculation returns:
    • Filtration Media is rated a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 52.2 or greater
    • Filtration media is Class F7 or higher, as defined by CEN Standard EN 779: 2002, Particulate air filters for general ventilation, Determination of the filtration performance
    • Filtration media has a minimum dust spot efficiency of 80% or higher and greater than 98% arrestance on a particle size of 3–10 µg
  • Establish and follow a regular schedule for maintenance and replacement of these filtration media according to the manufacturer’s recommended interval.

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Got the gist of IEQc1.4 but not sure how to actually achieve it? LEEDuser gives step-by-step help. Premium members get:

  • Checklists covering all the key action steps you'll need to earn the credit.
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  • Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
  • Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
  • Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.

Is it true that MERV 13 filtration is no longer required for return air circulation?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Can we earn this credit by adopting a phase-out plan of our old filters and replacing them with MERV 13 filters?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Can we use pre-filtration in combination with filters that are less than MERV 13 in order to earn the credit? For example if we use carbon pre-filters combined with MERV 11 would that work?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

We are working on a project outside of the U.S. What options do we have for an alternative but equivalent standard to the MERV 13 filter.

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

7/6/2012Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
The second new bullet should read: "Filtration media is Class F7 or higher, as defined by CEN Standard EN 779: 2002, Particulate air filters for general ventilation, Determination of the filtration performance"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/6/2012Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Under the second bullet, add three bullets, indented:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
11/3/2010Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
Replace the paragraph with the following:In mechanically ventilated buildings, each ventilation system that suppliesoutdoor air shall comply with the following during the performance period:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
Delete the Alternative Compliance Path for Projects Outside the U.S.
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
11/3/2010Updated: 2/14/2015
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Replace the paragraph with the following:In mechanically ventilated buildings, each ventilation system that suppliesoutdoor air shall comply with the following during the performance period:
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
The third new bullet should read: "Filtration media has a minimum dust spot efficiency of 80% or higher and greater than 98% arrestance on a particle size of 3-10
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
7/6/2012Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
The first new bullet should read: "Filtration Media is rated a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 52.2 or greater"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
11/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In alphabetical order, add the following definition for nonoccupied spaces, "Nonoccupied spaces are defined as spaces designed for equipment and machinery or storage with no human occupancy except for maintenance, repairs, and equipment retrieval."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
11/1/2011Updated: 2/14/2015
Reference Guide Correction
Description of change:
In alphabetical order, add the following definition for occupied spaces, "Occupied Spaces are defined as enclosed spaces that can accommodate human activities. Occupied spaces are further classified as regularly occupied or non-regularly occupied spaces based on the duration of the occupancy, individual or multi-occupant based on the quantity of occupants, and densely or non-densely occupied spaces based upon the concentration of occupants in the space."
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
7/6/2012Updated: 2/14/2015
Global ACP
Description of change:
The second bullet should read "These filters or devices shall meet one of the following criteria for all outside air intakes and inside air recirculation returns:"
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
5/30/2007
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Background: Our project is a high rise building with street level entrances and below grade level building entrances from an inter-modal transportation hall, public transportation systems, and directly from other buildings. This inter-modal transportation hall includes an indoor shopping / amenity arcade, which connects a wide range of retail shops and public transportation (PATH, MTA). This inter-modal transportation network (which is not included in the scope of Tower One) will be a fully enclosed space with conditioned and filtered air, that will also be clean and maintained. The distance traveled from the closest outdoor entry point through the inter-modal transportation hall to the building concourse level entrance is over 500 feet Project Design Approach for Applying EQc5: The entire project design does meet and exceed the air filtration, partitioning, and exhaust requirements of EQc5. The street level entryways designs do have permanent walk off systems that meet the requirements in EQc5. Conclusion and CIR: The concourse entrances will be regular entry points to the building. The concourse entrances are accessed via a conditioned, filtered, clean indoor space and as such it is a significantly cleaner adjacent environment than the street. We are requesting confirmation of our interpretation that the concourse entrances are not "entryways that are directly connected to the out doors" as stated in the EQc5 requirement for the application of walk off systems.

Ruling:

The requirements of EQc5 apply only to entryways that are directly connected to the outdoors. The connection between concourses and interior space does not apply to the requirements of this credit. Applicable Internationally.

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
Yes
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