Course: GFM 101 Fundamentals of Green Facilities Management

Reading

Measuring IEQ Is Simply Identifying Each Interior Component and Their ‘Comfort” Relationship To Each Other

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) or Interior Air Quality (IAQ) is most simply described as the conditions inside a building. It does not refer to the air quality alone, but the entire environmental quality of a space, which includes air quality, access to daylight and views, pleasant acoustic conditions, and occupant control over lighting and thermal comfort. Americans spend a majority of their time indoors; not surprisingly, studies have shown an increase in worker productivity when improvements are made to a space’s IEQ. Building managers and operators can increase the satisfaction of building occupants by including thoughtful IEQ details in the design and operation of a space.

IAQ Profile

If direct measurements are to be included in the IAQ profile, the staff should have the tools and training to make the following measurements (see GFM 106 for guidance on air sampling):

- air volumes at supply diffusers and exhaust grilles
- CO2 concentration
- temperature
- relative humidity
- pressure differentials
- assessment of thermal and ventilation load requirements

Click on the following Web Resources to read online articles.

Click here to view and read about the EPA Interior Air Quality House.

Click here to view and read the U.S. EPA article titled Developing an IAQ Profile.

Click here to view and read U.S. EPA tool kit IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit.

Click here to view and read about the U.S. EPA tool kit IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit Basic Information page.