Energy Savings Plus Health | INDOOR AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES FOR MULTIFAMILY BUILDING UPGRADES 53
PRIORITY ISSUE 19.0 MECHANICAL VENTILATION FOR MULTIPLE DWELLING UNITS USING
CENTRAL EXHAUST (continued)
ASSESSMENT PROTOCOLS (AP) MINIMUM ACTIONS (MA)
EXPANDED
ACTIONS (EA)
requirement of 0.06 cfm per square foot
of floor area.
If nonresidential spaces (e.g., exercise
rooms, lobbies, mailrooms, commercial/
retail spaces) are included in the
scope of service, determine whether
the ventilation in these spaces meets
the requirements of ASHRAE Standard
62.1-2013.
AP 19.4 Identify and Assess Outdoor Air
Intakes
Identify the location of outdoor air
intakes and assess their distances from
outdoor pollutant sources (e.g., vehicle
exhaust, plumbing vents, exhaust
discharges).
• Compartmentalize to reduce make-up air coming from
adjacent units. Refer to Priority Issue 16.0.
o If make-up air is provided by pressurized corridors, do
not apply weather stripping to unit entry doors; restore
or repair make-up air system as needed.
o If make-up air is not provided by pressurized corridor
systems, provide outdoor make-up air in each dwelling
unit (e.g., trickle vents) and do not install pressurized
corridor make-up air systems.
o Advise the building owner or property manager to
implement a preventative maintenance plan to inspect
exhaust grilles in all dwelling units at least once per
year.
• Ensure outdoor air intakes that are part of ventilation
systems for dwelling units are located a minimum
distance of 10 feet from contaminant sources including
plumbing stacks, vents, exhaust hood discharges or
vehicle exhaust (see ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2013).
• If mechanical exhaust systems serve several areas, ensure
the backdraft dampers are installed as required by local
codes and ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2013.
MA 19.2 Repair, Adjust and Upgrade Ventilation Systems in
Common Corridors and Nonresidential Spaces As Needed
Ensure common corridors in the building meet the ASHRAE
Standard 62.1-2013 minimum outdoor air ventilation rate
requirement of 0.06 cfm per square foot of floor area.
If included in the scope of service, ensure nonresidential
spaces in the building meet the ventilation requirements of
ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2013.
If it is not possible to achieve the ASHRAE Standard 62.1-
2013 minimum outdoor air ventilation rates, adjust systems
to provide the maximum amount of outdoor air ventilation
possible.
References for Priority Issue 19.0 Mechanical Ventilation for Multiple Dwelling Units Using
Central Exhaust:
ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2013 – Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2013 – Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings
ASHRAE Standard 189.1-2014, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings, Section 8.3.1.3 Filtration and Air Cleaner
Requirement
EPA: National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NCHH: Improving Ventilation in Existing or New Buildings With Central Roof Exhaust
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA): Improving Central Exhaust Systems for Multifamily Buildings
Appendix B: Property Management and Occupant Education
