Energy Savings Plus Health | INDOOR AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR MULTIFAMILY BUILDING UPGRADES 49
PRIORITY ISSUE 17.0 HVAC EQUIPMENT (continued)
ASSESSMENT
PROTOCOLS
(AP)
MINIMUM ACTIONS (MA)
EXPANDED
ACTIONS (EA)
MA 17.3 Ensure There is Adequate Air Filtration
For HVAC equipment that serves dwelling units, ensure new HVAC systems have air
filtration with a minimum MERV 6 rating, located upstream of thermal conditioning
equipment, as stated in ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2013.
If nonresidential spaces are included in the scope of work, ensure new HVAC systems
have air filtration with a minimum MERV 8 rating, located upstream of all cooling coils
or other devices with wetted surfaces, as stated in ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2013.
For existing HVAC systems, check with the manufacturers to determine whether filters
with these MERV ratings can be accommodated by the equipment and, if not, install
filters with the highest MERV rating that can be accommodated.
There shall be no air bypass around filters, and no air cleaners designed to
intentionally produce ozone shall be installed.
MA 17.4 Control Bacterial Growth in HVAC Systems and Mechanical Equipment
Follow ASHRAE Standard 188-2015 or OSHA Technical Manual, Section III: Chapter
7 Legionnaires' Disease to protect against bacterial growth in building water systems
(e.g., cooling towers, evaporative condensers, humidifiers, hot and cold water systems,
fire sprinkler systems, ice machines, eyewash stations, safety showers).
MA 17.5 Train Building Staff on HVAC Operations and Maintenance
After the upgrade, building staff should be trained on the operations and maintenance
of the HVAC systems including the outdoor air ventilation strategy (see Priority Issues
18.0 through 20.0, as applicable); temperature, humidity and other HVAC controls;
measuring and adjusting airflows; preventative maintenance; and troubleshooting
problems. The training should include any needed seasonal adjustments, air filter
change-out schedules, control system set point adjustments, and other maintenance
and operational requirements for mechanical equipment. An operations and
maintenance manual should be provided to the building staff.
Discuss with the building owner or property manager the need to educate
occupants about the basic operation of ventilation, heating and cooling systems in
dwelling units. This should include any maintenance (e.g., air filter change-out) and
adjustments that are the occupants' responsibility.
References for Priority Issue 17.0 HVAC Equipment:
ACCA: Manual J Residential Load Calculation
ACCA: Manual N Commercial Load Calculation
ACCA: Manual S Residential Equipment Selection
ACCA: ANSI/ACCA Standard 5 QI-2015. HVAC Quality Installation Specification
ACCA: ANSI/ACCA Standard 6 QR-2015, Restoring the Cleanliness of HVAC Systems
ACCA: ANSI/ACCA Standard 9 QIvp-2011, HVAC Quality Installation Verification Protocols
American Technical Publishers and the International Union of Operating Engineers: Indoor Air Quality Solutions for Stationary Engineers
ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 180-2012, Standard Practice for Inspection and Maintenance of Commercial Building HVAC Systems
ASHRAE/ACCA Standard 183-2007 (RA 2014), Peak Cooling and Heating Load Calculations in Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings
ASHRAE Standard 188-2015, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems
ASHRAE: Handbook – Fundamentals
ASHRAE: Handbook – HVAC Systems and Equipment
ASHRAE: Load Calculation Applications Manual
ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2013, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, Section 5.8
ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2013: Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings Section 6.7
DOE: Standard Work Specifications for Multi-Family Home Energy Upgrades, Sections 2.0702.2 and 2.0702.4, and Section 5: Heating and Cooling
EPA: Residential Air Cleaners (Second Edition) A Summary of Available Information
OSHA: OSHA Technical Manual, Section III: Chapter 7 Legionnaires' Disease
Appendix B: Property Management and Occupant Education
