Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
from medical tests and tests of the environment is not sufficient to establish
which contaminants are responsible. Indoor environments are highly com-
plex, and building occupants may be exposed to a variety of contaminants
(in the form of gases and particles) from office machines, cleaning products,
construction activities, carpets and furnishings, perfumes, cigarette smoke,
water-damaged building materials, microbial growth (fungal/mould and
bacterial), insects and outdoor pollutants. Other factors such as indoor
temperatures, relative humidity and ventilation levels can also affect how
individuals respond to the indoor environment. Understanding the sources
of indoor environmental contaminants and controlling them can often
help prevent or resolve building-related worker symptoms. Practical guid-
ance for improving and maintaining the indoor environment is available.
Workers who have persistent or worsening symptoms should seek medical
evaluation to establish a diagnosis and to obtain recommendations for treat-
ment of their condition.
This section specifies requirements for indoor environmental quality
including indoor air quality, environmental tobacco smoke control, outdoor
air delivery monitoring, thermal comfort, building entrances, acoustic con-
trol, day lighting and low-emitting materials.
6.2.2 Definitions
The following words and terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter and as
used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown herein:
1. Agrifibre products: Agrifibre products include wheat board, straw-
board, panel substrates and door cores, but do not include furni-
ture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) not considered base building
elements.
2. Composite wood products: Composite wood products include hard-
wood plywood, particleboard and medium-density fibreboard. Com-
posite wood products do not include hardboard, structural plywood,
structural panels, structural composite lumber, oriented strand board,
glued laminated timber as specified in 'Structural Glued Laminated
Timber' (ANSI A190.1-2002) or prefabricated wood I-joists.
3. Daylit area:
Area under horizontal fenestration (skylight) or adjacent
to vertical fenestration (window) and described in Figures 6.2 and 6.3.
4. Daylit space: Space bounded by vertical planes rising from the
boundaries of the daylit area on the floor to above the floor or roof.
5 . H VAC units, small: Those containing less than 0.22 kg of refrigerant.
6. Interior, building: The inside of the weatherproofing system.
7. M E R V: Filter minimum efficiency reporting value, based on
ASHRAE 52.2-2009.
