ASHRAE 62-89 Analysis Part Ill: Indoor Air Quality Procedure ASHRAE Standard 62-89, Ventiatior ‘Standard for Acceptable indoor Ai Quality, is widely viewed a8 the minimum ventiaton stand to be met, 93 ‘cores. This isthe wd of throe Engingers Newsletters that attempt to interpret the standard and offer suggestions for cmp The purpose of ASHRAE Standard 62: 89 isto specify minimum ventilation rates and define acceptable indoor air ‘quality 1o avoid adverse health effects jo accompish this, the standard presents a series of general requirements for systems and equipment Section 5.) then offers two ternative procedures for providing acceptable indoor air quaity (Section 80), The following analysis presented to help designers and installers inorpre the standord's diverse requirements, and 's based on our best judgment of the ‘meaning and purpose of the various provisions. URimate responsibilty for interpretation compliance, however, rests with the individual designer and installer Section 50, Systems and Equipment, and Section 6 1, Ventilation ate Procedkire, were the subjects of evious Engineers Newsletters, Section 2, Indoor Air Qualty Procedure, and Section 6:3, Design Documentation Procedures, are discussed in 1h issue General Terms Requirements (denoted by shall and must) and suggestions (signaled by use of the words should and may) are presented throughout the standara Conformance with the standard can onty be claimed if all requrememts are met, On the surface, it seems that suggestions need nat be met for compliance. However, ignoring suggestions may not be prudent After all, these suggestions retlect the consensus of experis in the HVAC industry and might, therefore, be viewed as the minimum citer a prudent designer would folow when designing a vontiation system, TON zee ASHRAE 62-69 makes several references to occupied space and ‘occupied zane, Within this discussion the cocupied space refers to all inhabited areas... usualy rooms. within the bulging, The occupied zone on the other hand, refers to a defined region within the accupied space, between planes 3 and 72 inches ‘above the floor and more than 2 feet from the walls The terms outdoor air and ventiation 2ir ae often used interchangeably. However, as used here, autdoor ari air from outside the buldng, whie ventilation air isthe portion of supply ait Used to maintain acceptable indoor ait quality. Ventilation ar may be either entiely outdoor air or a mixture o outdoor air and cleaned, ececulated air 49}}0;]SmeyN SisoulBUuFigure 1: Typical Airflows for a Two-Space System Outdoor ‘Supply ‘Supply = Outdoor + Rectculated Recireulated a Leakage Central Exhaust Rew Occupied Space y 4 Prim < | | i I Local E Lace Local Exhaust Makoup Exhaust < o cup Tote, FT Be e Exfitration Lr Primary air the supply air delivered to Mote specifically, the Indoor Air Qualty each occupied space For want of a Procedure sets concentration lit for betor term, acta iris the amount of 10 contaminants, proscrbes subjective primary ar that actualy reeches te analyst determina acceptabe odor e Sccuped zone wun the occupied levels, and describes the use of tested space. Bypass aris the portion at recicalated ait reduce the minimum primary a that never reaches the outdoor aio rates presented in the fSecipied zone Figure states Sanda soveral of those defintons. Key points presented in Section 6.2 are Analysis of Section 6.2: arranged by topic and discussed below Indoor Air Quality Procedure in a question-and answer format To review, the Ventilation Rate Procedure Section 61) presents Determining Indoor Air Quality ‘one way to achieve acceptable indoor air qualty’; namely. supplying leach occupied space with ventlation ait What contaminants are specified by the of specific qualty and quantity. Outdoor standard, and what are the acceptable, air usad to diste anticipated ‘concentraton levels of each? See Contaminants to acceptable Figure 2 concentration levels “Table 1 furnishes information on In contrast, the Indoor Ait Quality acceptable contaminant levels in outéoor Procedure (621 presents "an air {andl} also applies indoors for the ‘ternative performance method... for ‘same exposure times” (Section 6.2 1) achieving acceptable air quality" by ‘quantitatively describing aoceptable “Table 3 contains lis for four other indoor air quality It sets ints on the indaor contaminants” (Section 62.1) ‘concentration of known and specifiable contaminants in an effort to achiave acceptable indoor air qualiy in the ‘cccupied zone in a more direct way than the Ventiation Rate Procedure ryTables 1 and 3 of the standard ist 11 acceptable indoor concentration levels for 10.contaminants, presented hore in Figure 2. By reference to the limits in these tables, the indoor concentration of the listed contaminants is required to be bboiow the level sted If concentration levels in Tables 1 and 3 (defined primaiy in Table C-1 and C-3) ‘are maintained, is the indoor ar quay ‘acceptabie? No, not necessanly “Tables C-1 and C-3 do no inciude af known contarnnanis that may be of fsancern, and these concentration limits may not, ipso facto, ensure acceptable indoor air qualty with respect to other omaminants” Section 62.1), “To a certain extent, this observation luncavels the indoor Air Qualty Procedure as the performance-based path to acceptable indoor air qual. It implies that, even i the known and. speciiable contaminants isted are controled to the established Concentration levels, indoor air quality sbll may not be satistactary, In other words, ifthe building system is designed 0 that listed concentration levels are ‘ot exceeded, acceptable indoor air ‘quality isnot assured, The building ‘designer has no clear, indisputable {efintion of acceptable indoor air ‘quality, Acceptable IAQ is determined by the contaminant loves listed, as well 138 by unknown levels of unknown ‘contaminants. Consequently, many ‘designers choose to use the Ventilation Rate Procedure in which the requirements are dearer and ‘compliance to those requirements is more easily dernonstrated. Figure 2: Summary of Tables 1 and 3 ~ indoor Air Guay Standards = ‘Acceptable Exposure Long-Term Short-Term ASHRAE Contaminant Concenation | time | Concentration | Time | “able gin] ppm | yeas | uaim® Tppm [hows | Gaon Diode fraeio 1000) Con a Caton Monoxide USA) aoooo] seo] 7 J Catbon Monoxie USA) o000[ 900[ 8 [1 Chiordane (maximum) | 00006) Cont a [ead 15] 025. i Nivogen Dowd coo] 0085] 1.00 1 Onidants (ozone, USA wl oa] 7 [4 ‘Ozone 1000] 005] Cone [3 Partevlie fora USA | 500) 1.00766] waft Radon 4p.ci_| 100 Tf 3 Suifur Dowde USA | 800 | 0080, 100 ses oval pe [1Ifthe carbon dioxide concentration is ‘maintained below 1000 ppr, has acceptable indoor ar quality been achieved? No. To avoid unacceptable ‘dors, a carbon dioxide concentration bbelow 1000 ppm is recommended, “Carbon dioxide has been widely used 1 an indicator af indoor air qualy. A limit of 1000 ppm CO; is recommended ‘0 satisfy comfort (odor criteria" Section 621) While it observes that COp ‘measurements have been used t0 Incate acceptable ar quality, the Standard does not require or suggest that CO, concentration be used to contra! ventilation rate. However, t does recommend (or observe) that CO; ‘concentrations below 1000 pom are likely to be accompanied by acceptable ‘cir levels Can acceptable indoor air quality be ‘maintained by adjusting the outdoor airflow rate to control the CO, ‘concentration level? No. if duton is nat Used to control CO, level consideration ff the concentration level of ether contaminants i required, "in the event CO, is controlled by any ‘method other than dilution, the effects of the possible elevation of other ‘contarminants must be considered” ‘Section 62.1) To implement the indoor Air Quality Procedure, some building designers ‘specify measurement and conteol of CO, concentration in the space. They use gaseous filtering techmaues to remove COp and measured CO; Concentrations to modulate the outdoor airflow rate Ifthe outdoor airflow rate is less than the minimum rate specitieg in Table 2, however, indoor air Contaminants are no longer diluted as required by the Ventlation Rate Procedure. Therefore, the bulding dosignor must consider that other contaminant levels may be at high levels and, presumably, must provide a means, tw contro the concentration of these contaminants as wel Can aecoptable indoor air quality be determined solely by sensing contaminant levels? No. The qualty of indoor air cannot aways be determined by measuring cantaminant levels, therefore, subjective evaluation of indoor ar quality s required. To some degree, adequacy of contro! [of complex contaminant mixtures) must ‘est upon subjective evaluation” Section 621) From the designer's viewpoint, this requirement weakens the Indoor Ai ‘Qualty Procedure considerably. For ‘complex contaminant mixtures sully Characterized by odors) the ‘ontarninant-related quaity of indoor at cannot be measured, It must be determined subjectively, based on the ludgment of impartial abservers. The building designer is required to design a system that adequately controls ‘contaminants toa level that willbe judged acceptable in subective ‘evaluation by impartial observers. So, a positive subjective evaluation is a system design requirement. But it can only occur alter system installation and buileing occupancy. tis unclear how 3 bbuiding can be occupied before the systein design is completed. If contaminant levels ara low enough and @ subjective evaluation judges the ‘air qualty to be acceptabe, is te building design in compliance wath the 1AQ Procedure? No, not necessarily “tn the case of some adoviess biological -a0r0s0'8, subjective evaluation is inrelevant. Appicatin of generaly acceptable technalogy, and vigilance ‘regarding adverse influences of reduced ventiation, must therefore suffice” (Section 6 21 This requirement further weakens the Indoor Air Quality Procedure because it provides litte conerete direction but ‘adds substantaly tothe designer's ‘burden of judgment with its attendant responsibilty. Some contaminants can noither be measured quanttatively nor evaluated subjectvely. The building signer is required to use acceptable technology and vigilance when the ‘contaminants cannot be measured or perceived. What is generally acceptable technology at any given time? And, in \what context must the designer be Vigilant. on the alert... for the adverse effects of reduced ventilation: In ‘general terms or an a job-by ob basis? In summary, the Indoor Air Quality Procedure explains that accopiable indoor ait quality i determined by tee criteria 1 Aoceptable concentrations of all known and speciiable contaminants. 2 ‘Acceptable subjective evaluation for a ‘other contaminants whch are not known and specifable, but which can bbe detected by impartal observers, 3 Reasonable appication of technology ‘and caution regarding the adverse impact of reduced ventilation Again, as a result of this loose definition of acceptable indoor air quality, many bulking designers chose the more Clealy defined Ventilation Rate ProcedureSubjective 1AQ Evaluation Is a subjective IAQ evaluation requiced for campliance via the IAQ Procedure? Yes. If odor causing contaminants cannot bbe measured objectively. a subjective evaluation is required, "lo the absence of objective means 10 assess the acceptably of such lodor ‘eausingl contaminants, the judgment of scceptabity must necessarily derive fom subjective evaluation af impartial observers” (Sactan 6 22 ‘Many odor-causing contaminants cannot bbe measured in terms of concentration levels or do not have an estabished harmful concentration level, Therefore, a designer using the 1AO Procedure ‘cannot comply with the standard without @ successful subjective ‘evaluation of the completed system, 's a specific subjective IAQ evaluation method required? No. A method described in Appendix Cis suggested, but not required “One method that may be used for ‘measuring subjective response is deseribed in Appendix C” (Section 622 The suggested method states that the air qualty i acceptable"... 80, percent of a panel of at least 20 Lniained observers deems the air to be rot objectionable under representative ‘conditions of use and occupancy.” The ‘ebservations aro intended to detect offensive odors only, Ifthe system passes the subjective evaluation, isthe air quality acceptable? No. “Caution should be used in any subjective evaluation procedure to avoid unacceptable concentrations of other contaminants” (Section 62.2) This suggestion warns the buiing designer that an acceptable odor level alone does not indicate satisfactory indoor air quality. Unacceptable ‘concentrations of adorless contaminants {such as carbon monoxide and radon! ‘can be present in a space, undetected by a subjective evaluation for odors. Air Cleaning Can cleaned, recirculated air be used to reduce the minimum outdoor ai rates in Table 2? Yes, but the INO Procedure ‘must be used to avoid contaminant ‘accumulation in under-diuted spaces. “Recirculation with ai-cleaning systems Js also an effective means for contating Contaminants viben using the Indoor Air Quality Procedure... cleaned, recirculated air is used to reduce the outdoor airflow rate below the values shown in Table 2, the Air Quaity Procedure, 62, must be used” (Section 622 and Section 61.32. To clean aie returning from the occupied space, recrculate it as ventiaung air and, thereby, reduce the minimum outdoor airflow rate listed in Table 2; the ‘designer is required to use the Indoor Air Quality Procedure. not the entiation Rate Procedure. Some contaminants, parteularly gaseous ones, may not be adequately cleaned from the recirculated ai stream, These ‘contaminants can accurnulate in the ‘occupied space, eventually reaching Unacceptable concentration levels Therefore, the acceptable indoor air ‘quality must be determined using the IAQ Procedure. To avoid this necessity, many bulding designers da not speciy se of recirculated ai-ceaning solely 0 reduee the minimum outdoor airflow rate Is there a method for computing the educed minimum outdoor airflow rate when recirculated air used? Yes, The Standard suggests the use of equations presented in Appendix Eto calculate reduced outdoor airflow rates. “The allowable contaminant ‘concentration inthe accupied zone can be used with the various system models ‘in Appendix Eto compute the required ‘outdoor airflow rate” (Section 62.3) When applying the INQ Procedure, the standard allows the building designer 10 use. equations from Append Eto calculate requiced outdoor airtiow rates. AA detailed analysis of Appendix E is another full discussion in itself, tis important to nate, however, that use of these equations is not a smple matter Several key variables are very dificult 10 determine. Far example, the Contamination rate (polation generation rate) for chemicals and furnishings within the space are not readily available, venation effectweness is Uifieut to determine without testing and fiterefficency for gaseous contaminants may not be known. Also, the calculations must be repeated for ‘each indivksal contaminant of caneern.5 . Throughout the standard, the building Can recirculated ai aay be cleaned designe is require to docurnent design sufficenty tobe used 10 reduce the _sgsumptions,eaculations and $9 on, so cutdoor aston requrement? No. If any thatthe ventlaton system can be Contaminant concentrations cannot be gperated and manned propery, AIS tmainsined to acoeplable levels using awh proper desgn documentation, the Gieaning and reduced outdoor airlow, impact of future changes tothe system the desgne is requied 1 use the Table Or ts se, (og, number of conus in rates the space indoovoudoor contaminant ‘sources, or space area) can be properly evaluated, resuting ina more accurate determination of system redesign contaminants that are not appreciably reduced by the ar-cleaning ‘system may be the controling facior in design and prohibit the reduction of ar "4S ‘below that sot by the Ventiation Rate Procedure” Section 6 2:9 Does the designer simpy record the design, then file the documents away? No. The standard suggests that design ‘documentation be delvered, presumably to the building owner or operator, after ‘system instalation, ‘The building designer must be aware of the cleansing capabilty of the air Cleaning syster. Ifthe level ofall ‘contaminants in the occupied space cannot be reduced to acceptable levels by air cleaning, te designer must “Design eniteia and assumptions shal! ‘abandon the Indoor Air Quay bbe clocumented and should be made Procedure and use the Ventilation Rate avaiable for operation ofthe system Procedure instead within 2 reasonable time after poe Installation” (Secton 63) e Design Documentation The building designer must incude Is the designer required to document design docurmentaion as part of the ‘ventilation related calculations? Yes. information delivered to the bulding ‘Crear docurnentation of the design ‘owner, Normal, transfer ofthe plans assumptions is required. and specifications for the bulling ecm ‘and contaminants" (Section 6.1.3.1). 's operated “Design documentation shal leary state which assumptions were used in the design so that te lens of the system in removing contaminants can bo evaluated by others before the systom is operated in a different mode oF before new sources are introduced into the space" (Section 60 The building designer must document building design assumptions, calculations, selections and so on. This is design documentation wich isin ‘adoton to the trational buleing plans, ‘equipment schedules and specifications Good design documentation is requited te enable future changes to building ‘operation and usage without Unexpected. and undesirable indoor ar quality consequences, oFigure 3: Summary of Standard 62:89 TRANE™ Specificaly, what infoemation must be ‘documanted? Documentation requirements and suggestions are sprinkled throughout the standard "Soe Sections 4 and 6, as well as 52 ‘and 6.1.3 regarding assumptions that ‘should be detailed inthe documentation” (Section 6.3) ‘The building designer is roquired or advised to document the flowing: Whenever the Ventilation Rate Procedure is used, the design documentation should clearly state that this method was used and that the design wil need to be reevaluated i at {a fater time, space use changes eacur or ‘f unusual contaminants or unusually strong sources of specific contaminants ‘are 10 be introduced into the space” (Section 42: “The design documentation shall stato assumptions that were made in the ‘design with respect 10 ventilation rates and air cistibuton’” (Section 6.2) "Design documentation shot clearly state which assumptions were used in the design so thatthe imats of the system i removing contaminants can ‘be evaluated by othors before the systom is operated ina ctferent mode (oF before new sources ara introduced into the space" Section 6.0) ‘Design documentation shal specify all sSignficant assumptions about occupants {and contaminants" Section 6.1.3, ‘Summary Section 62 of ASHRAE 62.89 attempts to help the building designer by imparting a method for direct control of indoor air quaity. Unfortunately, i presents only a shor lst of acceptable ‘contaminant levels; includes a requirement fora post-design, subjective evaluation for adors; and ‘seems fo require ongoing building system vigilance on the part of the designer after the buling is designed and operating, Inlight of these shortcomings, its our View that the IAQ Procedure fais to provide 3 welrdefined, enforceable path to.complance with the standard. Unt it is revised, this procedure is not likely to be widely used by bulding desgners This concludes our three-part analysis of ASHRAE 62- 89. An overall summary of ey requirements and suggestions is Included in Figure 2 General Requirements Design for good room air distribution Document design assumptions and caleulatons, Locate outdoor air intakes properly, Design for easy air system clearing Provide local exhaust for stationary Provide makeup air for indoor combustion Select fiters property, Specify sloped drain pans with access for cleaning Follow either the Ventilation Rate Procedure or the IAQ Procedure, Procedure Requirements Ventilation Rate Procedure Evaluate the outdoor air qualty and treat as necessary, Provide the minimum outdoor airflow fates of Table 2. For muttpie-space systems, use Equation 6-1 to find minimum outdoor airlow: 100 Procedure Control concentration level of 10, contaminants, For odors, conduct subjective ‘evaluation aftr building is completed ‘and occupied. if recirculated air cannot be cleaned sutficently, use Ventilation Rate Procedure. Additional Suggestions Monitor outdoor aitfow, Avoid intake of contaminated autdoor Dehumiity (to ess than 60% RH), Hurnaiy with steam, if necessary (to more than 40% RH Clean the supply air stream, Use antimicrobial coatings where appropriate to prevent microbial growth, Use the Ventlation Rate Procedure for ew construction, Use time-of day scheduling to minimize ventilation needs. Consider use ofthe IAQ Procedure for busting buldings