By Bob Baker

Last issue, we discussed the outside air requirements suggested in the draft of Chapter 9 of ASHRAE Standard 62R. Although a new separate residential standard will be drafted and thus this draft no longer applies, most of the proposals in this draft will be considered when the new standard is written. Thus, it is essential to understand the proposed language make our opinions known. We encouraged you to write to us in care of this paper and share your thoughts and ideas. This issue, we will look at the other suggestions contained in the draft.

Local Exhaust

The proposal here does not differ much from current practice in most areas. In kitchens, 100 cfm intermittent or 25 cfm continuous mechanical exhaust capacity vented to the outdoors is mandated. In Baths and Toilets, 50 cfm intermittent or 20 cfm continuous mechanical exhaust vented to the outdoors is the requirement. Operable windows can serve as an acceptable substitute.

Kitchen exhaust fans must be rated for sound at a maximum of 1.5 sones at the minimum flow rate. This is somewhat below the level currently produced by many currently available hoods and fans. Although the committee suggested a two year delay in this requirement to allow manufacturers time to comply, there has still been opposition to this requirement. Both manufacturers and builders complain that the cost of achieving this level will be excessive. All controls would have to be labeled with instructions as to their proper operation unless that was obvious. No doubt, there will be concern about how much instruction is needed and where it will be placed.

Air Flow Management

A short section on "pressure management" was included with fairly extensive notes pointing out the importance of controlling Radon, combustion gases, and odors as well as moisture and bioeffluents. A section on multifamily and mixed-use buildings set out a requirement for sealing or pressure management so air would not be exchanged between units or between residential and non-residential spaces. There will, no doubt be extensive and spirited discussion of this area when the new committee begins its work. Many believe that proper pressure control is a primary key to achieving acceptable indoor air quality and controlling moisture that contributes to excessive growth of mold and bacteria. Making the enhancements to a building that can assure good air movement and pressure control however can be costly. The construction industry will no doubt insist on much greater proof than is currently available before they will accept rigid standards here.

Building Construction

Self-closing, gasketed doors were mandated between living areas and attached garages. On the surface, this may seem like a common sense positive suggestion. Because of the potential for automobile exhaust being drawn into the home and the fact that gasoline, paints, and garden chemicals stored in a garage are potential sources of air contaminates, a garage is an area of concern. The construction industry however strongly opposed this requirement. There are several possible reasons for the position they took: a) gasketed doors are often treated as upgrades. Such features allow a builder to improve their profit margin and distinguish an upscale home from an economy model. b) These enhancements are costly. Even this small a change may increase the cost of a home to a level where many will never be able to realize their dream of home ownership. c) Many feel that ASHRAE is not the proper organization to mandate building construction standards.

The problem is that indoor air quality appears to be affected at least as much by building design and construction as by the design, construction, and operation of the HVAC system. If we who are responsible for these systems are going to be held primarily accountable for any IAQ problems, then we must have input to and some control over all parts of the building system that may impact IAQ. If the standards builders establish do not get the job done, something else is needed.

Operation and Maintenance

This may well prove to be the most significant portion of the standard. In the chapter 9 draft, it was pretty non-controversial. It referred to the ventilation standards mandated earlier in the chapter and required that the systems be operated so as to achieve the specified results. This is, however, an area where there will be much pressure for expansion when the full standard is written. Residences are notable for the lack of preventative maintenance. Few units are tested or inspected until they stop working and the homeowner is forced to call a technician. Filthy cooling coils that barely pass air and filters that are changed once a year (if that often) are the talk of the industry.

What will happen if standards are established? Will visitors who experience a sinus infection while in a poorly maintained home allege negligence on the part of their hosts and seek damages for their illness? Certainly, written maintenance standards could represent additional profit opportunities for all of us. There are practical problems. Who would enforce such standards? What impact would such standards have on individual freedom?

One thing is almost certain. The size and scope of the standard will grow from the chapter 9 draft. Chapter 9 of 62R was only 6 pages long including notes and explanations. It is difficult to conceive that a committee would produce a full standard having less than a couple dozen pages. What will those pages contain?

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.