Indoor Air Quality Audit

Published by firstgreen on 2020-10-05

Good indoor air quality (IAQ) in buildings provides a comfortable and healthy environment for the occupants to work, learn, study, etc. Therefore, it is important to ascertain the IAQ status in the buildings.There are basically two types of audit methods i.e
1. Qualitative Exposure Assessment
2. Quantitative Exposure Assessment

Qualitative Audit

Source Identification

HVAC Evaluation

Look for Pollutants

1. Visual Inspection and Source identification

Walkthrough visual inspection
Emissions from nearby sources
Locating areas of moisture
Unsanitary conditions and water damage
Housekeeping & Maintenance Activities
Building components and furnishings
Chemicals released by building components
Other Sources

2. Review of HVAC system design

Design & Layout
Maintenance records
Filter cleaning activity records
Diffusers/Grills cleaning mechanism
Visual inspection –AHUs
Thermal comfort mechanism
Location of fresh air supply line
Locating areas of moisture

3. Look for Pollutants

Interview Occupants
Document employee health complaints.
Monitoring of indoor pollutants and other environmental parameters.
Develop a plan for reducing and eliminating the IAQ problem

Quantitative Audit

IAQ Parameters (CO2, RH, Temp)

Ventilation Rate(Air Changes)

Microbial (Fungal & Microbes)

1. IAQ measurements

IAQ meter –TSI Make 7525o
Measured Parameters
Temperature
Humidity
CO2
Carbon Monoxide
VOCs

Portable IAQ meter

Continuous Monitoring System

Fig. Continuous IAQ Monitoring System

2. Ventilation Air changes

Fig. Ventilation rate (air changes)

3. Microbial (Fungal & Microbes)

SAS: Surface Air Sampler180 L/Min, 1000 L : < 6 MinsAgar Incubated @ 25*C

Surface Swab sample

Fig. Microbial Air samplers

Categories: Green Buildings