Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
U.S., NIOSH has developed a protocol to serve the needs of its health hazard
evaluation teams. It employs a multidisciplinary approach, with an investi-
gative team consisting of an industrial hygienist, an epidemiologist, and a
technical person familiar with the operation and maintenance of building
mechanical systems. The NIOSH protocol, like most others, utilizes a multi-
stage approach, with more intensive investigative efforts when the cause of
occupant complaints cannot be easily identified.
NIOSH and the USEPA have jointly developed a model investigative
protocol for in-house personnel. It is a multistage or phased approach that
emphasizes information gathering; a building walk-through; and an evalu-
ation of ventilation systems, contaminant sources, and pollutant pathways.
It gives limited attention to air testing, suggesting that such testing may not
be required to solve most problems, and that test results may be misleading.
Exceptions to this are routine tests to determine ventilation adequacy and
thermal comfort parameters, such as temperature, humidity, and air move-
ment. A flow diagram with suggested activities in conducting an in-house
investigation is illustrated in
Figure 8.1
.
This investigative protocol is
included in a more expansive USEPA
which is
available from the USEPA (
www.epa.gov
)
and Government Printing Office.
It includes discussions of factors that can be used to prevent IAQ problems;
diagnosis of IAQ problems; mitigation measures; and appendices that
describe common IAQ measurements, HVAC system operation and IAQ
concerns, moisture and mold problems, and a number of forms and check-
lists that are useful in conducting IAQ investigations. USEPA has also devel-
oped a kit (
Building Air Quality Manual,
Tools for Schools
) somewhat along the lines of the
Building Air
Quality Manual,
which is designed to assist facilities managers in improving
and maintaining good air quality in schools. Like the
Building Air Quality
Manual
, it includes a number of useful checklists.
Two other investigative protocols have been developed for use in the
U.S. The AIHA (American Industrial Hygiene Association) protocol was
designed for use by industrial hygienists (professionals who have historically
conducted air testing and safety evaluations of industrial workplaces).
Because of their experience and training, industrial hygienists most com-
monly conduct problem building investigations. Because of an initial over-
emphasis on air testing and reference to occupational health standards, the
AIHA protocol emphasizes investigation rather than air testing. It is also
multiphasic; that is, it becomes more intensive in its conduct when problems
are not easily identified and resolved.
The Building Diagnostics protocol is utilized by a number of private
consulting firms. Because of its engineering origin, it emphasizes the evalu-
ation of building system performance, in contrast to identifying specific
causal factors. It assumes that if a building and its systems are performing
as designed, or meet generally accepted performance criteria for comfort,
such as standards recommended by the American Society of Heating, Refrig-
eration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), most (
≥
80%) building
occupants will be satisfied with building air quality.
