USGBC LEED V4 EQc4 - Air Quality Assessment - Applications Note

One full point is offered by the US Green Building Council for the LEED v4 credit EQc4 (formerly the IEQ 3.2 credit) in new and renovated buildings. This requires that the building is “flushed out”, for a period of days or weeks ahead of occupancy. There is also the option of a two-phase flush-out, with a stage of HVAC operation prior to occupancy, and then some additional flush-out with significantly higher than normal outdoor (dilution) air being delivered during initial occupancy. Such flush-outs can have negative economic consequences resulting from delayed occupancy, and due to the energy costs associated with heating or cooling the additional outdoor air being delivered during the flush-out. However, as an alternative, 2 (two) full points are offered by LEED v4-EQc4 for “Option 2, Air Testing”. With Option 2, if a range of specific parameters are measured below prescribed levels, the flush-out period may be reduced or eliminated, while providing added assurance that occupants will not be subjected to elevated pollutants associated with new building materials or construction; pollutants that may detrimentally impact the productivity and long-term health of the occupants.