New LEED Requirements To Make Buildings Safer

It starts small: a headache, a runny nose. And before you know it, you’re sick. But for some, it becomes a cycle of getting better/getting sick, over and over again.

You may not have the latest flu bug circulating through the masses. Instead, you may have a problem that is growing throughout the working population; its known as sick building syndrome (SBS). And its usually found in buildings that use out of date construction materials, are still using old technology, or have poor ventilation.

SBS is used to describe a situation where building occupants begin experiencing acute health problems, and it is determined that they are linked from spending time within the building itself. While its difficult to pinpoint what causes SBS, it has been linked to the problem of off-gassing, which occurs when building materials release high amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.

In many cases, off-gassing is exacerbated by poor ventilation. If the ventilation system doesn’t work efficiently, gases build up to the point where they begin impacting the workers inside the building.

This problem has been recognized in the past, and is just one of the reasons many building owners began looking for alternatives. Enter the LEED certified building.

LEED stands for green building leadership. LEED is a green building certification program that designs, constructs and maintains certified buildings across the globe. Through third party certification, it verifies that a project is designed, built and operated in a way that will conserve energy, reduce water consumption, improve indoor air quality, and save money and energy overall. To have a LEED certified building not only costs less to operate, it can also attract tenants as well.  

The LEED program is not new. And like every form of technology, new developments are found every day. As time has passed, old LEED certified components have been found to have their problems. Even an environmentally sound and locally sourced material can change during manufacturing, installing, and overall use. And when used with standards that date back five years or more, risk potential can arise.  

LEED has recently introduced a new set of standards, version 4. This version will be more specialized and designed for a better user experience. It will place more emphasis on gaining a better understanding of what materials are used in a building and their ultimate effect on human health and the environment. It will approach indoor environmental quality from a more performance based standpoint. It will bring smart grid thinking to the forefront for better control.

As a commercial HVAC contractor, we realize the importance of having an efficient HVAC system in place; one that not only helps regulate the temperature of your environment, but plays a role in reducing harmful off-gassing and SBS symptoms as well.

If you have any questions about how to improve your current ventilation system, we’d be happy to provide you with answers that can truly make a difference to you and your building’s occupants. 

When it comes to providing a quality work environment and protecting a building’s occupants against indoor air pollutants, an air filter becomes one of the most important components of a HVAC system.

Today’s facility managers have a wide variety of concerns to keep a building operational. Increasingly, clean air is topping the list. Studies have come out showing poor indoor air quality can cause nasal congestion, headaches, nausea, fatigue, serious infections, asthma, and even chronic conditions such as lung disease. Those with compromised immune systems, especially infants and the elderly, are at a greater risk of developing symptoms due to inadequate air quality.

But its not just health that is at stake. Poor indoor air quality costs the US economy around $160 billion annually in increased medical costs and in reduced productivity. Adults are missing around 24.5 million days of work every year just for symptoms attributed to poor indoor air quality.

The first line of defense is preventing pollutants from entering a building’s air supply is ensuring the incoming air flow is unobstructed. Which means one of the most important jobs an HVAC system has to do is protect the air through an effective air filtration system, which will reduce microorganisms, dust, allergens and other pollutants.

Selecting an appropriate air filter is one of the first steps in achieving quality air. Most filters on the market today have a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating. A MERV 1 is the lowest level, which means it’s the least efficient type of filter. The highest level is a MERV 16, and is the most efficient. Most filtration experts agree that if you install an air filter within the MERV 14-16 range, you’ll be providing the best for the system. Also select a filter that offers a balance of mechanical and electret efficiency.

Using a proper air filter is only the starting point for cleaner air. To keep an HVAC system running properly, its important to maintain the overall system as well. A dirty HVAC system is a breeding ground for mold, bacteria and viruses. Its important to remove debris on a regular basis, both by vacuuming and blowing out dirt and dust from the area.

Air filters also only work as well as the quality of the air filter. If its old and dirty, it can’t do its job effectively. Make sure your air filters are routinely cleaned and changed for optimal performance.

If you have any questions about the quality of your indoor air, or don’t have a regular maintenance schedule in place for your HVAC system, isn’t it time for a change?