Green Features and LEED Certification - Indoor Environmental Quality

Written by Mike Swofford Monday, 10 January 2011 02:00

Indoor Environmental Quality

A high-quality indoor environment offers many health benefits to building occupants. Below are some of the ways the SAC created a superior indoor environment for scouts, volunteers and staff:

Remote smoking area to reduce occupant exposure to tobacco smoke

Description: Created a designated smoking area that is 25 feet away from entries, outdoor air intakes and operable windows.

Benefit: Exposure to second-hand smoke is reduced.

Tip to get started: Identify an area on your building site that could serve as a designated smoking area. Make sure it is at least 25 feet from the building.

Air quality management plan during construction

Description: Implemented a plan to maintain high-quality air and to reduce dust during construction.

Benefit: By having an air quality management plan, problems are prevented and the health of the construction staff and occupants is sustained.

Tip to get started: Prior to construction of a new building, establish an air quality management plan.

Pre-occupancy flush-out to remove construction contaminants

Description: Conducted a building flush-out with 14,000 cubic feet of outdoor air per square foot of building.

Benefit: By flushing out the facility prior to occupants entering the building, the construction contaminants are removed and the best air quality possible is created.

Tip to get started: When flushing out a building, maintain an internal temperature of at least 60 degrees and relative humidity of no more than 60 percent.

Use of low-emitting materials such as low-VOC paints, adhesives and carpet systems

Description: Chose paints, adhesives and carpet systems that have low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Benefit: Exposure to harmful chemicals improves air quality and reduces sensory irritation and other short- and long-term adverse health effects.

Tip to get started: Many companies produce low-VOC products that are also cost-effective. Consult with your suppliers to ensure these products are used.

Walk-off mats at entrances to reduce contaminants brought into building

Description: Placed walk-off floor mats at entryways.

Benefit: Floor mats help capture dirt, dust and other contaminants brought into the building from the outside.

Tip to get started: Consider adding entrance mats to your facility. Be sure to put a cleaning plan in place or find a company that will clean and maintain the floor mats as well.

MERV 13 filters on mechanical equipment

Description: Installed MERV 14 filter* on mechanical equipment.

Benefit: A MERV 14 filter limits molds and helps control respirable-size particles including most bacteria, which promotes wellness for occupants.

Tip to get started: When selecting a filter, consider the building's location, occupancy, air quality issues and type of HVAC system.

*MERV 13 filter is LEED requirement, but SAC used MERV 14 filters

Daylight for 90 percent of building occupants

Description: Maximized use of natural light throughout building.

Benefit: Natural lighting has been shown to have a positive impact on productivity and well being.

Tip to get started: In the design phase, consider adding windows throughout the building to help improve employee productivity and well being.