Indoor Environmental Quality

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans spend about 90 percent of their day indoors, where the air quality can be significantly worse than outside.

The Indoor Environmental Quality credit category promotes strategies that can improve indoor air as well as providing access to natural daylight, outdoor views and occupant comfort.

Construction IAQ Management Plan

To reduce indoor air quality problems resulting from construction and to help sustain the comfort and well-being of construction workers and staff, the general contractor implemented an IAQ management plan during construction. Before the building was occupied, IAQ testing was conducted to demonstrate the building’s exemplary indoor air quality.

Ventilation Monitoring and Pollutant Control

In an effort to monitor ventilation system performance and minimize the staff’s exposure to indoor pollutants, MERV 13 filters and UV-C lamps have been installed in each heat pump. Additionally, outdoor airflow measurement sensors and a CO2 sensor in the conference room continually monitor ventilation system performance.

Low-Emitting Materials

To reduce indoor air contaminants that may be irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and staff, contractors used low-emitting adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, carpet and composite wood products to ensure low levels of airborne contaminants.

Thermal Comfort Design and Verification

To provide a comfortable thermal environment that supports the productivity and well-being of staff and to assess comfort levels of staff over time, the building is designed to comply with ASHRAE standard 55. In addition, a survey of the building staff’s comfort level is being used to adjust and/or maintain acceptable comfort levels as needed.

Daylight/Views and Lighting Controls

To provide staff a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces daylight and outdoor views have been provided as well as a high level of lighting system controllability. Daylight sensors automatically raise and lower the lighting level depending on outside conditions and during most of the business day, windows and skylights provide illumination. More than 90 percent of staff enjoy direct views of the outdoors. All workstations have their own task lights, occupancy sensors and shut down control non-computer plug loads when an occupant leaves his or her desk.

Total possible LEED Indoor Environmental Quality credits: 15. Total credits received: 15.