Environmental Management

Indoor Air Quality Technical Guide

OVERVIEW

E301.0501

GSA maintains acceptable indoor air quality in its buildings by implementing an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Program. The operation and maintenance of our ventilation systems provides our tenants with air that is free of harmful pollutants. Harmful pollutants from a variety of sources can contribute to building-related illnesses, which have identifiable causes, such as Legionnaire's disease. HVAC systems that are improperly operated or maintained can contribute to IAQ problems. Health concerns associated with IAQ include dry mucous membranes and eye, nose, and throat irritation. This program includes IAQ assessments, inspections of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, maintaining areas and building equipment that affect IAQ, promptly responding to complaints, and applying controls to correct problems immediately. GSA Responsibilities Safety and Environmental Management Personnel Responsibilities Property Management Community Responsibilities Ensure air quality of GSA-owned and leased space meets industry standards, maintains customer satisfaction; and prevents visitor exposure to unnecessary risks Investigate IAQ problems and review the findings Work with the facility manager to correct the problem Conduct Indoor Air Quality Assessments Investigate complaints and work with S&EM staff to correct any problems Involve client agencies in corrective action decisions Correct problems Maintain a log of occupant complaints Report hazardous air quality conditions to the GSA facility manager immediately Independently investigate complaints if not satisfied with GSA response

Client Agency Responsibilities

Indoor Air Quality Standards and Regulations

Further Information
PBS Environmental Hotline (800) 379-6505 or e-mail pbshotline@ene.com GSA Home Page http://www.gsa.gov - Search term "air quality"" PBS Environmental Programs Home Page (GSA intranet users only) http://insite.gsa.gov/pbs/environmental American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Quality Engineers (ASHRAE) www.ashrae.org National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html OSHA www.osha.gov OSHA Technical Manual; Section 3: Chapter 2 Indoor Air Quality Investigation www.osha-slc.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_2.html Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) http://www.boma.org/iaq

Citation
29 CFR 1910

Topic
Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHA) http://www.osha-slc.gov/ OshStd_toc/OSHA_Std_toc_1910.html Minimum ventilation rates for indoor air quality (ASHRAE)

ASHRAE-62-1999

SCHEDULED ASSESSMENTS
GSA must conduct IAQ assessments every five years as part of the safety and environmental management survey program. The assessments must be conducted by an industrial hygienist, environmental scientist, safety engineer, or other person qualified by training and experience.
Perform Safety and Environmental Survey Perform Indoor Air Quality Assessment Is further study indicated? No Is local action needed? Yes Perform Detailed Study No Yes Implement Action Was the action effective? Yes

IAQ Assessment Follow Up Decision Logic

Stop

No

Assessments should include:

Review of HVAC plans and systems Review of equipment maintenance and testing records Walkthrough inspections Take temperature and humidity readings Look for signs of water intrusion or other potential contaminant sources Interviews Sampling for carbon dioxide Visual inspection for mold growth

RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS
The GSA facility manager must provide prompt responses to indoor air quality complaints and implement controls to correct any problems that are discovered.
Agency or employee complains to Field Office Record Complaint In Log Field Office Response: - Identify concern/problem - If needed, test for carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and formaldehyde Is remedial action needed? Yes Implement Action No
Return to agency. Agency may initiate survey and submit to GSA per Federal Management Regulations (FPMR)

Air Quality Complaint Response Plan

Stop

Yes

Was the action effective?

No

Perform Detailed Study

INDICATOR LEVELS FOR INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANTS

Contaminant
Carbon Monoxide Carbon Monoxide Carbon Dioxide Formaldehyde Formaldehyde

Area
Shops Offices All Shops Office

GSA Indicator Level

17.5 ppm 9.0 ppm

Reference
50% of OSHA NAAQS ASHRAE OSHA ACTION LEVEL NIOSH

700 ppm above outdoor air concentration

0.5 ppm 0.1 ppm

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