The intent of this credit is designing the building's ventilation system to meet the minimum requirements of ASHRAE 62.1-2004, which improves occupant comfort and enhances indoor air quality.

Requirements for Certification:

Design the mechanical ventilation system such that the minimum requirements of Sections 4 through 7 of ASHRAE 62.1-2004 are met.

If no mechanical ventilation systems will be provided, the building must comply with paragraph 5.1 in ASHRAE 62.1-2004.

Successful Strategies:

• Mechanical Engineers or responsible party should confirm the project can meet the ASHRAE 62.1-2004 requirements as early as possible in the design phase.

Helpful Hints:

1. Ventilation systems may be mechanical or natural. If natural ventilation and infiltration are being used, compliance can be demonstrated using a tracer gas test (described in ASHRAE 55-1999). Otherwise, perform calculations of natural ventilation based on wind pressure and thermal buoyancy (stack-effect) driven ventilation as described in the ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, Chapter 22 or the ASHRAE Standard 62-2001.
2. ASHRAE 62.1-2004 combines Standard 62-2001 and published addenda, thereby providing an easy-to-use consolidated standard. Standard 62.1-2004 specifies minimum ventilation rates and indoor air quality that will be acceptable to human occupants and are intended to minimize the potential for adverse health effects. Locate outside air intakes at least 25 feet from sources of contamination
3. Provide proper drainage for the HVAC condensate pans (prevent the accumulation of water under, in, or near buildings)
4. Recommended to use high efficiency filters at main HVAC intakes
5. Recommended to meet operational, maintenance, and record-keeping requirements of Cal/OSHA

Historical Data (updated June 2006):

• Minimum IAQ performance is a prerequisite for LEED certification and must be met.

Additional EDR Resources

Case Studies: High Quality Learning Environment Yields 38 Percent Energy Savings

Case Studies: Police Facility Goes for LEED Silver

Design Briefs: Indoor Air Quality

Design Briefs: Design For Your Climate

Design Briefs: Improving Mechanical System Energy Efficiency

Design Briefs: Underfloor Air Distribution and Access Floors

Design Guidelines: Commissioning Guidelines - Appendix 5