ASHRAE Indoor Air Quality

Guide
Presented For:
Chicago ASHRAE

By:
James Livingston, Regional Sales Manager,
Ruskin Company
1
 Purpose of Presentation
• Comment on ASHRAE IAQ
Guide topics as related to air
control devices
• Provide information on the
function and benefits of these
devices
• Provide advice on their
application

2
 Presentation Agenda
IAQ Guide Basics
Objectives
1 Design & Construction
2 Control Moisture
4 Moisture in HVAC
6 Capture/Exhaust
Contaminants
7 Reduce Contaminants
8 Advanced Ventilation
Approaches

3
 Purpose of IAQ Guide
• Provide advice on how provide good IAQ
via means that are:
– Cost effective
– Practical
– Currently available
– Technologically sound
– Sustainable
– Goal: Increased usage & IAQ!

4
 Guide Approach
• 8 “Objectives”
• Objectives address components of
building IAQ
• Each Objective contains individual
“Strategies” to help achieve the Objective
• Benefits designers, constructors, owners
and facility managers

5
 Scope of IAQ Guide
• Buildings covered:
– Commercial & institutional
• Office
• Retail
• Educational
• Lodging
• Public assembly

6
 Scope of IAQ Guide
• Buildings not covered:
– Kitchens
– Medical procedure rooms
– Natatoriums
– Cold buildings
– Laboratory
– Industrial
– Residential
– Chemical storage

7
 Why IAQ?
• Health & well being of occupants
• Financial success & sustainability of
building

8
Common Sources of Poor IAQ
• Two Basic Categories
– Gaseous
• Radon, C02, chemical vapors, etc.
– Biological (with 2 subcategories)
• Microbial
– Bacteria, molds, mildews, viruses, dust
mites, animal dander, etc.
• Particulate
– Dust, pollen, building material fibers,
process byproduct (such as saw dust), etc.

“THE SOLUTION TO
POLLUTION IS DILUTION”
W. K.
 Health Issues
• Increased allergy & asthma symptoms
• Colds & infections
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Legionnaires’ disease
• Lung cancer from Radon exposure

10
 Financial Impact

• Repairs or modifications to correct issues

• Potential temporary building closure
• Difficulty in renting spaces
• Legal action due to sick building or other
issues

11
 A Different Way Of Thinking
• Traditional high priority features include
cost, space, aesthetics, etc.
• Make IAQ a priority in the beginning!
• Early discussions & strategies by all parties
• Improving IAQ after the fact is difficult and
sometimes impossible

12
 Objective 1 Manage the Design &
Construction Process to Achieve
Good IAQ
• Strategy 1.1 Traditional Design

13
 Objective 1
• Strategy 1.1 Integrated Design

14
 Objective 1
• Strategy 1.2 Commissioning
– Not just post-construction
– Employ a Commissioning Authority (CxA) for
pre-design and during construction
– Ensure the design meets owners
requirements and is being constructed
correctly

15
 Objective 1
• Strategy 1.3 Selecting HVAC Systems
– Use environmentally-friendly & energy efficient
systems when possible
– Displacement ventilation
– If conventional means are used (CV, VAV, etc.),
be sure good IAQ practices are used (62.1
ventilation for example).

16
 Objective 1
• Strategy 1.5 Effective Operation &
Maintenance
– O&M can be just as important as design &
construction
– Expected level of owner’s O&M efforts?
– Consider O&M during design & construction
– Provide documentation & training

17
 Objective 2 Control Moisture in
Building Assemblies
• Moisture is a common cause of IAQ problems and
responsible for the most costly litigation and
remediation
• Thermal bridging enables interior frost build-up &
condensation
• Condensation liquid can travel through capillary
action to inaccessible locations

18
 Objective 2
• Strategy 2.2 Limit Condensation of Water
Vapor within the Building Envelope and on
Interior Surfaces
– Use Thermally Efficient (Insulated) Control
Dampers at outside air intakes

19
Strategy 2.2
• Why use Thermally Efficient
Dampers?
– Reduce condensation to
prevent bacteria, mold,
mildew
– Thermally broken to prevent
frost build-up
– Lessen leakage into or out of
space
• Generally Class 1 leakage – 4
cfm/ft² at 1” w.g.
AMCA 500-D Section 6.9

• Thermal Efficiency Test

• Test setup Figure 5.10
• Damper tested in both
airflow directions
• ±2°F Steady State
Temperature for a period of
10 minutes
• Applied torque
AMCA 500-D

• V-groove reference
damper
• 9 cfm per square
foot at 1” w.c.
• How much more
efficient is the test
damper when
compared to the
reference damper?
Thermally Efficient Damper Features

• Insulated & thermally

broken blades
• Blade & jamb seals for
low leakage
• Thermally broken
frames
• Non-metallic bearings
 Thermally Efficient Damper Performance

• AMCA Standard 500-D

– AMCA certified leakage
– AMCA certified performance
– AMCA certified Thermal Efficiency
 Objective 2
• Strategy 2.3 Maintain Proper Building
Pressurization
– Building pressure affects moisture infiltration
and exfiltration
– Negative pressure in hot, humid conditions
promotes moisture infiltration into spaces
– Positive pressure in humid spaces increases
condensation buildup within envelope

25
 Strategy 2.3
• Pressurization often is not consistent
throughout building due to:
– Stack effect
– Wind speed & direction
– Temperature
– HVAC supply & exhaust rates

26
 Strategy 2.3
• Airflow measuring stations can assist with
pressurization

27
Pick the Product for the Application
• Use Electronic Air Flow Measurement for
very low velocities and large openings

• Use Velocity Pressure Measurement for high

velocities or small openings.
 Electronic Airflow Measuring
• Thermistors, heated mass flow sensors,
hot film anemometers, etc.
– Measures energy to heat element
– Low velocities – as little as 0 fpm

29
Velocity Pressure Airflow Measuring
• Differential Pressure
– Minimum 300 fpm

Total Pressure Chamber

Pt Ps
Static Pressure Chamber

Pv = Pt - Ps
Locations For Airflow Measuring Stations
 Suggestions for Measuring Outside
Air

VAV & CV Systems DCV Systems Any system, limited

• Air measuring • Air measuring space
station w/ control station with built-in • Air measuring
damper built-in control damper and combined with
• Damper control is control system outside air louver
manual or by BAS • Control system • Can be as little as
maintains CFM set 4” total depth
point as fans scroll
up and down

32
Suggestions for Measuring Supply
Air

Retrofit – single floor New construction –

or pressure area single floor or pressure
Fan inlet • Probes or stations area
• Highest velocity • Can install as close • Air measuring
point in the system as 4” in front of station w/ control
• Total system supply existing dampers damper built-in
airflow • Damper control is
manual or by BAS

33
Suggestions for Measuring Return
Air

Retrofit – single floor New construction –

or pressure area single floor or pressure
• Probes or stations area
• Can install as close • Air measuring
as 4” in front of station w/ control
existing dampers damper built-in
• Damper control is
manual or by BAS

34
Suggestions for Measuring Exhaust
Air

Use velocity pressure probes

or stations
• Works well with high
velocity exhaust airflow
• Much less expensive than
electronic airflow stations

35
 Objective 4 Control Moisture &
Contaminants Related to
Mechanical Systems
• Strategy 4.1 Control Moisture and Dirt in Air-
Handling Systems
– Fungi & bacteria are normally present on building
interior surfaces, including HVAC components
– Microorganism growth in HVAC system results in
malodors, nasal & throat irritation and building-
related illnesses

36
 Strategy 4.1
• Outside air louvers can prevent rain
penetration Louvers

37
Louvers With Plenum Behind

38
Water Penetration

39
Sloped Plenum Detail

40
 Strategy 4.1
• Traditional louvers provide protection
from non-storm rain
• Wind Driven Rain Resistant louver provide
storm condition protection
• Let’s look at the differences…

41
 Strategy 4.1
• Traditional Louvers:
– Horizontal blades
– Drain Gutters
– Wide Spacing
– High Free Area
– Low Cost
– Stops some rain
– Not effective in storms

42
 Strategy 4.1
• Traditional louver sizing
– AMCA Water Penetration test – Beginning
Point of Water Penetration free area velocity
(FAV)
– Determine design FAV considering AMCA test
data
– CFM/FAV = Total Free Area required
– Reference louver Free Area Guide to
determine appropriate louver size

43
 Standard 500-L Louvers
5.6 Water Penetration
Waterdrop Manifold
Air Exhaust Wetted Wall Manifold
Water
Test Unit Droplets

Air Entrained
into chamber “Still Air”
Condition!
through louver

Exhaust Air Flow Collection

Fan Measurement Zone
 Standard 500-L Louvers
Test Conditions
• 48” x 48” size
• 15 minute intervals
• Manifold (raindrops) - 4” per
hour (3.15 gal/15 min)
• Wetted wall - .25 gpm (3.75
gallons/15 min)
• Ventilation airflow only – no
wind
• 1250 fpm max free area
velocity
AMCA “Still Air” Water Test
 Water Penetration Graph
Beginning Point
Of Water
Penetration: .01
oz/ft² at 1,023
fpm Free Area
Velocity

.01 oz./ft²
of free
area
“Still Air” Test with Non-drainable Louver
 Traditional Louvers
• Where to use:
– Properly drained applications
• Sloped plenums & ductwork
• Floor drains
– Protected areas (overhangs, barriers, interior,
non-prevailing wind elevations)
– “Screen” applications (vision barriers)
• Sizing
– Use Safety Factor (15% to 20% min)
• Does NOT stop storm rain
 Traditional Drainable Louver
29 mph wind, 3”/hr rain, 1,000 fpm intake velocity
 New Louver Technology
• Wind Driven Rain Louvers
– Horizontal or Vertical blades
– Drain Gutters on horizontal
– Hooks on vertical
– Close spacing
– Lower Free Area
– Higher Velocity
– Effective in storms

51
Std 500-L Wind Driven Rain Test
5.11 Water Rejection Wind Driven Rain
Air Exhaust Test Louver Rain Water Wind/Rain
Discharge Machine
Nozzles
Wind Driven
Rain plus
Air Entrained
Into Chamber
Through Louver

Exhaust Fan
Collection Zone

52
 Std 500-L Wind Driven Rain
Test
• Rejection Effectiveness Classes
A 99% to 100%
B 95% to 98.9%
C 94.9% to 80%
D below 80% (std. louvers)
• 3” rain/29 mph wind
• 8” rain/50 mph wind

53
 Wind Driven Rain Louver
29 mph wind, 3”/hr rain, 2,000 fpm intake velocity
Rear view, 29 mph wind, 3”/hr rain, 2,000 fpm intake velocity
 How Much Water Is Applied?
• 3” Per Hour Rain On 1m X 1m
• 21 Gallons Applied Over 1 Hr.
– Class A (99% or better) allows 27 fl. oz penetration
– Class D (80% or worse) allows over 4 gallons
– Std Louvers (60% or lower) - over 7 gallons
Wind Driven Rain Louver Benefits
• Prevent rain infiltration
– Lessens interior water damage & mold growth
– Helps keep walls & floors dry
– Helps keep filters dry
– Excellent for Penthouses
• Allow higher intake velocities
– Use smaller louvers!
• Reduce future problems & liability
 Wind Driven Rain Louvers
Horizontal blade models Vertical blade models

40% - 50% 40% - 45%

free area free area
2” to 8” deep 3” to 7” deep
Class A @ Class A @
800 to 1200 1500 to 2100
fpm fpm
Moderate ∆p Low ∆p
Traditional Best
appearance performance

58
 Sizing Example
• 48” x 48” & 7,000 cfm

• 6” Traditional • 5” Horizontal WDR • 6” Vertical WDR

• 710 fpm • 1,002 fpm • 1,030 fpm
• .07” ∆p • .16” ∆p • .09” ∆p
• 60% Wind Driven • 99.8% Wind Driven • 99.8% Wind Driven
Rain Effectiveness Rain Effectiveness Rain Effectiveness (50
(29 mph) (29 mph) mph)
• Cost 1.0 • Cost 1.7 • Cost 2.7
• 48” x 36” (25% smaller)
• 1,488 fpm
• .18” ∆p
• 99.8% Wind Driven Rain
Effectiveness (50 mph)
• Cost 2.3
 Rooftop Intakes

Traditional style, allows Wind Driven Rain Design,

rain penetration prevents rain penetration
What About Snow?

61
 Suggestion for Stopping Snow
Penetration
• Heated screen behind louver
• Prevents snow blowing into
ductwork
• Reasonable pressure drop
• Relatively slow airflow - 350 FPM
Face area velocity.
 Objective 7 Reduce Contaminant
Concentrations through Ventilation,
Filtration and Air Cleaning
• First goal is to reducing contaminant sources,
then capturing & exhausting
• Remaining contaminants should be
– Diluted with ventilation air, or
– Reduced by filtration and gas-phased air cleaning
(FAC)

63
 Strategy 7.2 Continuously Monitor
and Control Outdoor Air Delivery
• Fixed minimum outdoor air dampers may not
provide optimum control of intake CFM,
particularly in VAV systems
• Over-ventilation is common now – estimated
30% annual savings in U.S. building energy costs
if ventilation per standards is maintained

64
 Suggestion for Maintaining Proper
Outdoor Air Intake Levels

• Use air measuring station with built-in control

damper and control system to maintain CFM set
point

65
 Air Measuring & Control Stations
• Advantages
– System automatically modulates
damper to maintain CFM
– Can be used as minimum outside air
damper only (overridden when
economizer damper opens), or
– Can be used as entire outside air
damper

66
 Pressure Signal Chart
text

Air Measuring & Control Damper
Documentation I/O Chart

Provided w/ unit

Calibration Certificate

0 - 10 VDC Input - CFM Setpoint

0 – 10 VDC Output - Measured CFM

Alarm when CFM falls below setpoint
 Strategy 7.2 Continuously Monitor
and Control Outdoor Air Delivery
• Proper placement of airflow stations is critical
• Installing too close to an elbow or other
disrupting feature can affect performance

68
Air Measurement Station Placements for Acceptable Installations
Air Measurement Station Placements for Acceptable Installations

Air Measurement should be in the Mechanical Spec!

Air Measurement Station Placements for Acceptable Installations

5D 1D

90° DEGREE UNVANED ELBOW

Strategy 7.2 Continuously Monitor
and Control Outdoor Air Delivery
• Consider using airflow
measuring sensors
between fixed louver
blades
– Higher velocity, better
accuracy
Accuracy Considerations:
Outside Air Measurement Advantage
Outside
Air
20,000 CFM supply air measured
±1,000 CFM @ 5% accuracy (S.A.)

16,000 CFM return air measured

±800 CFM @ 5% accuracy (R.A.)

THE DIFFERENCE
Air Flow
Sensing Could be off by ±1,800 CFM
Stations Versus measurement at the intake
4,000 CFM @ 5% accuracy (O.A.)
±200 CFM @ 5% accuracy (O.A.)
 Objective 8 Apply More Advanced
Ventilation Approaches
• Strategy 8.2 Use Energy Recovery Ventilation
Where Appropriate
– Required by ASHRAE 90.1 2007 & 2010 in some
cases

74
 Code Driven Requirements
ASHRAE 90.1 2007 Energy Standard
Energy recovery is required on individual fan
systems that are:
5000 cfm or greater, and
Outside air accounts for 70% or more of the design
supply air quantity
Energy recovery system shall have 50%
effectiveness:
Change in enthalpy equal to 50% of the difference
between outdoor air and return air at design
conditions
Status of Code Adoption: Commercial

www.energycodes.gov/adoption/states
As of February 2013

Most States are Expected to Adopt 90.1 2010 by End of 2013!

 DOE Climate Zone Map – for 90.1
Helena MT
Duluth, MN

Burlington, VT
Boise, ID
Chicago, IL

Salem, OR

Baltimore MD

San Francisco CA
Phoenix, AZ
El Paso, TX
Miami FL
Memphis TN

Figure B-1 Albuquerque, NM

Houston, TX
 How do Climate Zones affect ERV?
ASHRAE 90.1 2010 states:
6.5.6.1 Exhaust Air Energy Recovery. Each fan system shall have an energy
recovery system when the system’s supply air flow rate exceeds the value listed
in table 6.5.6.1 based on the climate zone and percentage of outdoor air flow rate
at design conditions.
 ASHRAE 189.1 Standard
• Stretch standard for energy efficiency
• “Glimpse” of the future of 90.1
• Currently being specified for some
government buildings
• Requires even more energy recovery
• As low as 10% outside air requires energy
recovery in some cases
• The energy recovery effectiveness shall be
60%
 Energy Recovery
• ERV – Latent Recovery
– Energy Recovery Wheels
– Fixed Plate w/ Latent Transfer
• HRV – Sensible Only (no latent)
– Fixed Plate
– Heat Pipe
– Runaround Loops

80
Wheel ERV’s – How They Work
Wheel Rotates between the
Return Air and the Outdoor Air
Airstreams
Return Air Temperature and
Humidity is absorbed onto the
Desiccant Wheel
Outdoor Air is tempered
(Heated/Cooled) as it flows
across the Wheel
Outdoor Air Humidity
Decreases or Increases as air
flows across the Wheel
 Exhaust Air Transfer Ratio
EATR is the % of air being exhausted from
the occupied space that leaks around the
ERV wheel and re-enters occupied space.

Importance: Per ASHRAE 62.1……

Dedicated Duct System
Ducted to Rooftop Unit
 Common ERV Configurations

Stand Alone Unitized

Typically 300 to 12,000 CFM

Small ERV’s – 150 to 1000 CFM

Only 18” to 22” tall!

Example of small ERV application
Small ERV Installation
Questions?

89
Thank You!

90