Energy Savings Plus Health | INDOOR AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR MULTIFAMILY BUILDING UPGRADES 35
PRIORITY ISSUE 10.0 BUILDING PRODUCTS/MATERIALS EMISSIONS (continued)
ASSESSMENT
PROTOCOLS (AP)
MINIMUM ACTIONS (MA) EXPANDED ACTIONS (EA)
formaldehyde emissions. If California Title 17 ATCM
compliant materials are not available, use wood
products that meet Section 6.1 of EPA's Indoor airPLUS
Construction Specifications or composite wood products
that contain no added formaldehyde.
Notes:
(1) California Title 17 ATCM regulations require reduced
formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products
and finished goods that contain composite wood
products sold, offered for sale, supplied, used or
manufactured for sale in California.
(2) Title VI of TSCA sets national formaldehyde emission
standards for composite wood products that are
identical to California's Phase II emission standards.
EPA currently is developing the regulations to
implement these standards nationally.
MA 10.3 Post-Construction Flush-Out With Outdoor Air
After construction is completed, ventilate the renovated
building/spaces with the design outdoor air ventilation rates
before occupancy resumes. Ensure that HVAC systems are
operational and capable of adequately controlling indoor
humidity levels during the flush out. Do not conduct a
"bake-out" in an attempt to reduce VOC emissions after
the building is occupied, because it may cause VOCs to
be absorbed by other interior materials and may damage
building components.
If possible, follow the post-construction flush-out
requirements specified in ASHRAE Standard 189.1-2014,
Section 10.3.1.4(b), which requires a total number of air
changes corresponding to the ventilation system operating
at its design outdoor airflow rate continuously, 24 hours per
day for 14 days. A longer flush-out period can be used if
there are concerns or complaints about IAQ after the initial
flush out. Additional, periodic flush out also may be needed
for spaces that have intermittent or infrequent occupancy
and are not ventilated for extended periods.
MA 10.4 Limit VOC Absorption During Construction
Follow guidance outlined in Minimum Action 23.4 to
protect absorptive materials during construction.
be used if there are concerns or
complaints about IAQ after the initial
flush out. Additional, periodic flush out
also may be needed for spaces that have
intermittent or infrequent occupancy
and are not ventilated for extended
periods.
EA 10.5 Promote Transparency of
Chemical Constituents in Products and
Materials
To promote transparency of
chemical constituents associated
with the manufacture of a product and
substances residing in the final product,
require products that have submitted
their complete chemical inventory to a
third party for verification. Make the
verification/certification by the third
party publicly available.
References for Priority Issue 10.0 Building Products/Materials Emissions:
ASHRAE: Indoor Air Quality Guide, Strategies 5.1 and 5.2
ASHRAE Standard 189.1-2014, Sections 10.3.1.4 and 10.3.1.4(b)
California Department of Public Health: Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor
Sources using Environmental Chambers (Emission Testing Method for California Specification 01350)
California Title 17 ATCM to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products
Carpet and Rug Institute: Green Label Plus
Collaborative for High Performance Schools: High Performance Products Database
EPA: Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products
EPA: Volatile Organic Compounds' Impact on Indoor Air Quality
EPA: Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications
Green Seal: Green Seal Standard for Paints and Coatings, GS-11
Master Painters Institute: MPI Green Performance Standards GPS-1-12 or GPS-2-12 or Extreme Green
Resilient Floor Covering Institute: FloorScore®
Scientific Certification Systems: SCS-EC10.2-2007, Environmental Certification Program, Indoor Air Quality Performance
TSCA Title VI: Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products
UL Environment: GREENGUARD Gold Certification Program
Appendix B: Property Management and Occupant Education
