Issue link: https://hi.iaq.net/i/630729
Diagnosing IAQ Problems 79 any explanation(s) for the IAQ problem that make sense, and think about how the pieces of the puzzle fit together when building conditions are compared to occupant complaints. Is all (or most) of your information consistent with your hypothesis? If not, is there a reasonable explanation for the inconsistencies? A different hypothesis might provide a better fit with your information. You may find that there are several IAQ problems (e.g., underventilation in one zone, a strong contaminant source in another room). If you have discovered potential IAQ problems that do not appear related to the original complaint, they can be prioritized and corrected as time and funding permit. Think of ways to test your hypotheses. You may want to change ventilation rates, change the pressure relationship between spaces, cover or remove suspected sources, seal pathways, or temporarily relocate affected individuals. If your manipulations can reduce occupant complaints, you have found a reasonable hypothesis. Sometimes it is not possible (or not practical) to manipulate important factors. You can also test your hypothesis by seeing how accu- rately you can predict changes in building conditions (e.g., as outdoor temperature changes). If you are having difficulty developing hypotheses, review the information you have collected and the suggestions about how to use that information. For sugges- tions on using occupant complaint data, see pages 53-57; on using HVAC system information, see pages 62-67; on using pollutant pathway information, see pages 70-71; on using pollutant/source inventory data, see page 74; on using air sampling information, see pages 75-76. The changes that are made during hypothesis testing may offer a practical solution to the IAQ problem, or may be only temporary measures. The mitigation chapter presents a variety of approaches that have been used in correcting some selected categories of IAQ problems and discusses how to evaluate those strategies. SEE COMPLETE FORM PAGE 223 Sample Form Hypothesis Form Complaint Area (may be revised as the investigation progresses): _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Complaints (e.g., summarize patterns of timing, location, people affected): _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ HVAC: Does the ventilation system appear to provide adequate air, efficiently distributed to meet occupant needs in the complaint area? If not, what problems do you see? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Pathways: What pathways and driving forces connect the complaint area to locations of potential sources? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________