Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
five and eight investigative stages, respectively, and are designed to system-
atically evaluate factors that are likely to be problems, with more intensive
technical investigations involving surveys of buildings and occupants, fol-
lowed by simple, and, if needed, more complex environmental measure-
ments. DBRI and Nordtest protocols describe specific inspection criteria to
be used in conducting investigations, and tables that describe environmental
and contaminant risk factors for health and comfort complaints in buildings.
These tables are provided for illustrative purposes (
Tables 8.3
and
8.4
)
.
Investigative protocols briefly described above represent efforts to stan-
dardize procedures for conducting building investigations by a variety of
public agencies, professional groups, and private consultants. A high degree
of success in identifying and resolving IAQ/IE problems should be the
measure of the value of an investigative protocol. There is, unfortunately,
no evidence to indicate the relative success of individual protocols in iden-
tifying and resolving IAQ/IE problems since systematic follow-up studies
of the efficacy of recommended mitigation measures have not been con-
ducted and reported. Because of differences in how investigations are con-
ducted, success rates in solving IAQ/IE problems are likely to be quite
variable. However, because of relatively high prevalence rates for ventila-
tion-related problems, such as inadequate outside air (high CO
levels), cross-
contamination, re-entry, and entrainment, these problems are likely to be
identified in most systematic investigations.
2
2.
Generalized investigative protocol
A generalized investigative protocol is presented here that combines ele-
ments common to most protocols and elements which, in the author's expe-
rience, are essential to successfully identify and resolve IAQ/IE-related com-
plaints. It includes multiple stages of investigation: pre-site-visit information
gathering, on-site inspection of the building environment, assessment of
occupant symptoms and complaints, assessment of HVAC system operation
and maintenance, assessment of potential contaminant sources, and envi-
ronmental measurements.
Before beginning an on-site
inspection, it is important to obtain information that will facilitate its con-
duct. Such information gathering can be accomplished by means of a phone
interview with building managers/owners or others who may be familiar
with the problem.
It is desirable to obtain the building manager's/owner's perception of
the problem to gauge their view of occupant complaints and commitment
to identifying and resolving complaints. Important initial requested infor-
mation should include: (1) both the general and, if available, specific nature
of complaints (e.g., comfort vs. health complaints, general IAQ symptoms
vs. cases of severe respiratory illness); (2) relative time period when com-
plaints began; (3) coincidental events (e.g., building renovation, introduction
of new furnishings, manifestation of an odor problem, etc.); (4) general
a.
Pre-site-visit information gathering.
