Issue link: https://hi.iaq.net/i/655416
18 Energy Savings Plus Health | INDOOR AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR MULTIFAMILY BUILDING UPGRADES PRIORITY ISSUE 1.0 MOISTURE CONTROL AND MOLD (continued) ASSESSMENT PROTOCOLS (AP) MINIMUM ACTIONS (MA) EXPANDED ACTIONS (EA) Notes: (1) Be aware of all rainwater drainage systems to ensure that all are functioning properly. In some older brick buildings, gutters may be found between brick and drywall/plaster. (2) If the assessments reveal that an atmospherically vented combustion device is causing an indoor humidity problem, it should be repaired in accordance with the guidance provided in Priority Issue 11.0 Vented Combustion Appliances. (3) Conduct assessments for all common areas and as many dwelling units as possible that are associated with the building upgrade. AP 1.2 Determine Whether Mold Remediation is Required Determine whether the project requires mold remediation and additional moisture control measures (e.g., as determined during a Weatherization Assistance Program audit). Remember to identify the sources of moisture problems. Isolate and contain areas of significant mold contamination until these areas can be remediated (see MA 1.2; see EPA Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings guide and IICRC Mold Remediation Standard S520 for additional information). AP 1.3 Identify Moisture Problems to Address/Repair Before Building Upgrades Document which moisture problems will be addressed as part of the building upgrade project and which must be repaired by the building owner, property manager, or another contractor before the building upgrades are performed. The assessments also may reveal moisture problems that fall outside the scope of work for the upgrade project (e.g., condensation or insulation problems) that should be communicated to the building owner or property manager. MA 1.6 Prevent Condensation in the Building Enclosure Air seal the enclosure and manage air pressure relationships. Note: Air sealing the interface between the ceiling and attic also prevents ice dams on roofs in cold, snowy climates. Manage water vapor flow and condensing surface temperatures to avoid dew point conditions within the thermal envelope, on interior walls, or on other surfaces inside the building where the surface temperature is expected to fall below the surrounding dew point temperature. This is achieved by selection of materials with an ap- propriate combination of thermal insulation and vapor permeability. Strictly follow all building codes for vapor retarder placement. Ensure that all piping, valves and ductwork with condensation potential are adequately insulated to reduce moisture problems. Perform a quality control review of insulation after it is installed to ensure that all surfaces are covered with airtight, vapor-imperme- able insulation, including surfaces that will pass through uncondi- tioned spaces. Control indoor humidity sources: • Ensure existing bath and kitchen exhaust fans are operating properly and vented directly to the outdoors. • Ensure clothes dryers exhaust directly to the outdoors (in both dwelling units and common laundry rooms). Condensing clothes dryers piped to a drain are exempt. • Cover earthen floors in basements and crawlspaces with sealed vapor barriers and seal sump covers. • Ensure proper crawlspace ventilation that meets applicable building codes (e.g., ventilation openings through founda- tion walls per the 2012 International Building Code, Sec- tion 1203.3). • Ensure proper attic ventilation that meets applicable building codes (e.g., cross ventilation per the 2012 International Build- ing Code Section 1203.2). MA 1.7 Use HVAC Systems to Manage Moisture Use HVAC systems to manage moisture inside the building: • Ensure proper sizing when specifying new or replacement air conditioning systems. Base calculations on post-upgrade project conditions. Use the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual J for low-rise residential applications, ACCA Manual N for commercial applications, the ASHRAE Load Calculation Applications Manual, ASHRAE Standard 183, or ASHRAE Handbooks for HVAC load calculations. Use ACCA Manual S or ASHRAE Handbooks for equipment selection. • If it is not possible to maintain the indoor relative humidity below 60%, evaluate whether the air conditioning system has an oversized design-sensible capacity or an undersized design- latent capacity. Appendix B: Property Management and Occupant Education