Issue link: https://hi.iaq.net/i/630729
106 Section 8 situations. Inappropriately designed studies may lead to conclusions that are either false negative (e.g., falsely concludes that there is no problem associated with the building) or false positive (e.g., incorrectly attributes the cause to building conditions). Diagnostic outcomes to avoid include: ■ an evaluation that overemphasizes measuring concentrations of pollutants and comparing those concentrations to numerical standards, and ■ a report that lists a series of major and minor building deficiencies and links all the deficiencies to the problem without considering their actual association with the complaints. Considerable care should be exercised when interviewing potential consultants to avoid those subscribing to these strategies. A qualified IAQ investigator should have appropriate experience, demonstrate a broad understanding of indoor air quality problems and the conditions which can lead to them, and use a phased diagnostic approach. SELECTION CRITERIA Most of the criteria used in selecting a professional to provide indoor air quality services are similar to those used for other professionals: ■ company experience in solving similar problems, including training and experi- ence of the individuals who would be responsible for the work ■ quality of interview and proposal ■ company reputation ■ knowledge of local codes and regional climate conditions ■ cost Diagnostic outcomes to avoid include an evaluation that over- emphasizes measur- ing concentrations of pollutants and a report that links all the deficiencies in the building to the problem without considering their actual association with the complaints. Experience An EPA survey of firms providing IAQ services found that almost half had been providing IAQ diagnostic or mitigation services in non-industrial settings for ten or fewer years. ■ Ask how much IAQ work and what type of IAQ work the firm has done. ■ Have the firm identify the personnel who would be responsible for your case, their specific experience, and related qualifi- cations. Contract only for the services of those individuals, or require approval for substitutions. Quality of Interview and Proposal Several guidelines may be of assistance in hiring IAQ professionals. 1. Competent professionals will ask questions about your situation to see whether they feel they can offer services that will assist you. The causes and potential remedies for indoor air quality problems vary greatly. A firm needs at least a preliminary understanding of the facts about what is going on in your building to evaluate if it has access to the professional skills necessary to address your concerns and to make effective use of its personnel from the outset. Often a multi-disciplinary team of professionals is needed. 2. The proposal for the investigation should emphasize observations rather than measurements. Section 6 describes the four types of information that may need to be gathered in an investigation in order to resolve an indoor air quality problem: the occupant complaints, the HVAC system, pollutant pathways, and pollutant sources. There is also a discussion of the role of monitoring