Issue link: https://hi.iaq.net/i/630729
Hiring Professional Assistance to Solve an IAQ Problem 107 within an investigation. Non-routine measurements (such as relatively expen- sive sampling for VOCs) should not be provided without site-specific justification. 3. The staff responsible for building in- vestigation should have a good under- standing of the relationship between IAQ and the building structure, mechanical systems, and human activities. For example, lack of adequate ventila- tion is at least a contributing factor in many indoor air quality problem situations. Evaluating the performance of the ventila- tion system depends on understanding the interaction between the mechanical system and the human activity within the building. In some cases building investigators may have accumulated a breadth of knowledge. For example, a mechanical engineer and an industrial hygienist see buildings differently. However, a me- chanical engineer with several years of experience in IAQ problem investigations may have seen enough health-related problems to cross the gap; likewise, an industrial hygienist with years of experi- ence studying problems in an office setting may have considerable expertise in HVAC and other building mechanical systems. Either in the proposal or in discussion, the consultant should: ■ Describe the goal(s), methodology, and sequence of the investigation, the information to be obtained, and the process of hypothesis development and testing, including criteria for decision- making about further data-gathering. The proposal should include an explana- tion of the need for any proposed measurements. The goal is to reach a successful resolution of the complaints, not simply to generate data. ■ Identify any elements of the work that will require a time commitment from the client's own staff, including information to be collected by the client. ■ Identify additional tasks (and costs) which are part of solving the IAQ problem but are outside the scope of the contract. Examples might include medical examination of complainants, laboratory fees, and contractor's fees for mitigation work. ■ Describe the schedule, cost, and work product(s), such as a written report, specifications, and plans for mitigation work; supervision of mitigation work; and training program for building staff. ■ Discuss communication between the IAQ professional and the client: How often will the contractor discuss the progress of the work with the client? Who will be notified of test results and other data? Will communications be in writing, by telephone, or face-to-face? Will the consultant meet with building occupants to collect information? Will the consultant meet with occupants to discuss findings if requested to do so? Reputation There are no Federal regulations covering professional services in the general field of indoor air quality, although some disci- plines (e.g., engineers, industrial hygien- ists) whose practitioners work with IAQ problems have licensing and certification requirements. Building owners and managers who suspect that they may have a problem with a specific pollutant (such as radon, asbes- tos, or lead) may be able to obtain assis- tance from local and State Health Depart- ments. Government agencies and affected industries have developed training pro- grams for contractors who diagnose or mitigate problems with these particular contaminants. Firms should be asked to provide refer- ences from clients who have received comparable services. In exploring refer- The goal of the investigative process is to reach a success- ful resolution of the complaints, not simply to generate data.