By Bob Baker

The 1999 ASHRAE Annual meeting was held June 20-22 in Seattle. As usual, the IAQ track at this meeting featured a packed agenda. One of the first sessions of the meeting, Forum 2, although on the education track may ultimately have a significant impact on IAQ. This session (Chaired by your writer) was titled "HVAC Use of Antimicrobial Chemicals: What Research is Needed?" In spite of the early time slot of 8:00 am on a Sunday morning, this session drew a lot of participants and there was a lively discussion. The discussions did not bring out many topics for research. Instead, most of the attendees expressed their desire for industry guidelines in this area. Several pointed to the current EPA activities and requested that a group of "experts" form a group to come up with a standard or guideline for proper use of antimicrobial products. Later in the conference, several committees took up the discussion. As a result, it is very likely that a task group or guideline project committee will soon be formed to formulate a society position on the subject.

This is a very significant development. For years, the use of antimicrobials in HVAC systems has been a confusing subject. Since industry guidelines have never been formulated, consumers and contractors alike have not had any way to sort out responsible claims from the many misrepresentations that have been made. ASHRAE is the most influential standards setting organization in the world. When they publish a guideline, it will have significant impact on the industry.

The IAQ Track

The series of forums exploring IAQ needs of various occupancies that began a year ago continued with sessions on Bars and Lounges, and Ice Rinks. The information obtained at these sessions is being utilized to determine the need for additional or revised ventilation rates for all types of facilities. Ultimately this process will greatly increase the quality of information available to system designers. A forum was also held on a commercial airline air quality standard. Although this subject is of great interest to those of us who fly frequently, it has little relationship to other IAQ issues because of the vastly different design of airline systems and the conditions they operate under.

A Symposium and a Forum both discussed the impact of humidity on comfort and IAQ. Although there is a well-accepted relationship, these sessions dealt with the theory behind the interaction and have more future than immediate application.

Mechanical Ventilation of Residences

Historically, we have been able to rely on infiltration, chimney effect, and operable windows to provide outside air for residences. As home construction techniques have improved and greater energy control has become accepted as an important outcome, infiltration can not be depended on to supply adequate ventilation air. In addition infiltration often supplies air of low quality as mold and other contaminates can be picked up as the air passes through wall cavities. More and more designers are including a supply of outside air in the mechanical ventilating system design. Increasingly, code authorities are considering requirements for an outside air supply provided through mechanical means. A seminar was held that explored the energy cost of conditioning an outside air supply, available means of supplying the air, and the adequacy of natural ventilation. This issue will continue to be addressed and will impact home design and energy costs significantly unless innovative techniques are used. We will follow it in future issues.

Seminar 27 discussed sound and vibration control. This is a subject that is normally associated with large commercial installations. As we remove internal duct insulation in order to reduce the opportunity for microbial growth in the insulation, noise becomes a greater concern in residential design. This is an issue that will get more and more attention in the residential sector.

Air Sampling

As we develop a better understanding of IAQ, air-sampling techniques that are reliable and capable of being used consistently become more and more important for everyone. A Symposium held on Tuesday presented some of the latest developments in sampling methods. GPC 17P continues work on development of a guideline for particulate sampling in both residential and commercial buildings. A rough draft is expected to be available for committee review before the next meeting. It is possible that air-sampling instrumentation will become a normal part of the contractor's tool kit in the near future. That along with reference levels will allow for a significant expansion in the value that contractors can provide to their customers.

Indoor Air Quality is really advancing as a science. Because of this, new standards and procedures will increasingly become part of our everyday work.

Mr. Baker's field of expertise is the control of contamination in air-conditioning and ventilating systems by mold, mildew and bacteria. He writes and speaks frequently about the efficacy, legal risks, and regulatory issues involved in various control strategies. He serves on ASHRAE Technical Committee TC 2.3, TC 2.4, TC 9.8, and Sampling of Airborne Particulate Concentration in Commercial and Residential Buildings GPC 17P. He also serves as a member of ASTM D22.06 (Indoor Air Quality) and is on the Board of Directors of the Indoor Air Quality Association and the Florida Public Health Foundation. Because HVAC applications encompass new uses from an U.S. EPA regulatory standpoint, Mr. Baker works closely with the EPA and industry groups, including serving as the chair of the IAQ committee of the Consumer Specialty Products Association, to help formulate policy in this area.

Bob Baker is Chairman and CEO of BBJ Environmental Solutions, Inc., a company specializing in providing clean air through environmentally responsible products, such as BBJ MicroBiocide , BBJ Micro Coil Clean , "FreshDuct Odor Eliminator ", and BBJ Mold and Mildew Remover™ as well as the revolutionary new Power Coil Clean™. For additional information, Mr. Baker can be reached at (800) 889-2251 or through the company web site at http://www.bbjenviro.com.