Buildings are not only to provide shelter, but also to provide an environment that is conducive to high performance of all intended occupant activities. In the case of hotels, the public selects interior environments for many reasons. A growing public concern about the buildings, in which people work, live, and accommodate, is the quality of the interior environment. The trend in the last few decades has been to construct buildings increasingly air tight in order to minimise the energy costs of air conditioning and heating. Success in this area combined with unchanging ventilation standards has meant that air within buildings has less exchanges with the outdoors. Thus any chemicals that build up in the indoor environment have an increasing impact on occupants. Unhealthy indoor air quality (or IAQ) in buildings is called Sick Building Syndrome. It is often a result of faulty ventilation systems, building materials that emit volatile organic compounds (or VOC), and/or poor maintenance practices. Occupants that get sick because of inadequate IAQ can cause Building Related Illness (or BRI). Recent studies have shown that a good indoor environment can increase worker productivity by six to sixteen percent (Tech Manual). Whereas poor IAQ results in increased absenteeism and increased turnover rates. A good indoor environment includes effective ventilation, natural or proper levels and quality of lighting, indoor air quality, and good acoustics. Since in most cases a company spends the majority of its annual operating budget on its employees, it is only prudent to ensure that the working environment for the investment is at least adequate if not optimal. Other concerns for the public include the quality of lighting, exposure to air borne contaminants, and electromagnetic fields.

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE
Overview

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ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Indoor Environmental Quality

What is Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)?

The public is probably more familiar with the terms "Indoor Air Quality" and "Sick Building Syndrome." "Indoor Air Quality," as the name implies, simply refers to the quality of the air in an office environment. "Sick Building Syndrome" is a term many people use to convey a wide range of symptoms they believe can be attributed to the building itself. Workers typically implicate the workplace environment because their symptoms are alleviated when they leave the office.

NIOSH prefers to use the term "Indoor Environmental Quality" (or IEQ) to describe the problems occurring in office buildings and schools throughout the nation. The Institute, through its Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program, evaluates potential health hazards in workplaces in response to requests from employers, employees, employee representatives, state and local government agencies, and Federal agencies. NIOSH investigators have found that concerns about air quality may be caused by a number of factors, encompassing much more than air contamination. Other factors such as comfort, noise, lighting, ergonomic stressors (poorly designed work stations and tasks) and jobrelated psychosocial stressors can individually and in combination contribute to complaints. Hence, IEQ more accurately describes the scope of the problem.

What are the typical symptoms associated with IEQ?

The symptoms reported to NIOSH have been diverse and usually not suggestive of any particular medical diagnosis. A typical spectrum of symptoms includes headaches, unusual fatigue, varying degrees of itching or burning eyes, skin irritation, nasal congestion, dry or irritated throats, and nausea.

How big is the IEQ problem?

During the last decade, there has been a significant increase in public concern about IEQ. NIOSH scientists have completed approximately 1300 evaluations related to the indoor office environment since the late 1970’s, and the number of these requests as a percentage of the total has risen dramatically.

In 1980, requests to evaluate office environments made up only 8% of the total requests for NIOSH investigations. In 1990, the Institute received 150 IEQ requests, which accounted for 38% of the total. Since 1990, IEQ requests have made up 52% all requests.

Why are IEQ problems increasing?

During the 1970's, ventilation requirements were changed to conserve fossil fuels, and virtually air-tight buildings emerged. At the same time, a revolution occurred in office work throughout the country. Computers and other new work technologies forced a change in office procedures and productivity, and ergonomic and organizational stress problems may have increased. Coupled with the conservation measures and changing technology was a dramatic increase in the number of workers in white collarjobs. Greater awareness of the potential for IEQ problems may also be contributing to a rise in reporting of suspected problems. All of these factors may have contributed to the increase.

Media coverage of IEQ has profoundly influenced the number of IEQ requests the Institute receives. Following a network television report on the subject in October 1992, NIOSH received over 6,000 phone calls and nearly 800 requests for investigations.

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE
Overview

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ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Indoor Environmental Quality

What is Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)?

The public is probably more familiar with the terms "Indoor Air Quality" and "Sick Building Syndrome." "Indoor Air Quality," as the name implies, simply refers to the quality of the air in an office environment. "Sick Building Syndrome" is a term many people use to convey a wide range of symptoms they believe can be attributed to the building itself. Workers typically implicate the workplace environment because their symptoms are alleviated when they leave the office.

NIOSH prefers to use the term "Indoor Environmental Quality" (or IEQ) to describe the problems occurring in office buildings and schools throughout the nation. The Institute, through its Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program, evaluates potential health hazards in workplaces in response to requests from employers, employees, employee representatives, state and local government agencies, and Federal agencies. NIOSH investigators have found that concerns about air quality may be caused by a number of factors, encompassing much more than air contamination. Other factors such as comfort, noise, lighting, ergonomic stressors (poorly designed work stations and tasks) and jobrelated psychosocial stressors can individually and in combination contribute to complaints. Hence, IEQ more accurately describes the scope of the problem.

What are the typical symptoms associated with IEQ?

The symptoms reported to NIOSH have been diverse and usually not suggestive of any particular medical diagnosis. A typical spectrum of symptoms includes headaches, unusual fatigue, varying degrees of itching or burning eyes, skin irritation, nasal congestion, dry or irritated throats, and nausea.

How big is the IEQ problem?

During the last decade, there has been a significant increase in public concern about IEQ. NIOSH scientists have completed approximately 1300 evaluations related to the indoor office environment since the late 1970’s, and the number of these requests as a percentage of the total has risen dramatically.

In 1980, requests to evaluate office environments made up only 8% of the total requests for NIOSH investigations. In 1990, the Institute received 150 IEQ requests, which accounted for 38% of the total. Since 1990, IEQ requests have made up 52% all requests.

Why are IEQ problems increasing?

During the 1970's, ventilation requirements were changed to conserve fossil fuels, and virtually air-tight buildings emerged. At the same time, a revolution occurred in office work throughout the country. Computers and other new work technologies forced a change in office procedures and productivity, and ergonomic and organizational stress problems may have increased. Coupled with the conservation measures and changing technology was a dramatic increase in the number of workers in white collarjobs. Greater awareness of the potential for IEQ problems may also be contributing to a rise in reporting of suspected problems. All of these factors may have contributed to the increase.

Media coverage of IEQ has profoundly influenced the number of IEQ requests the Institute receives. Following a network television report on the subject in October 1992, NIOSH received over 6,000 phone calls and nearly 800 requests for investigations.

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE
Indoor Air Quality

Health and buildings, increased air tightness and old rules for ventilation rates, indoor air 3-4 times more polluted (http://www.its-canada.com/reed/iaq/overview.htm), Sick building syndrome, overall increase in chemicals in environment, 60,000 more chemicals in use today as compared to 40 years ago (above), Health problems such as allergies, respiratory ailments and chemical reactions are all on the rise. In Canada 25% of the population has an allergy or chemical sensitivity, 10% of the adults and 20% of the children have asthma (above).

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Overview - Indoor Air Quality, Sick Building Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Employ an integrated approach. Involve building owners, entire design team, operators, maintenance staff, and tenants in the process.

Practice “prudent avoidance”. Avoid materials and components that may contribute to the problem. Choose increased ventilation. Steer clear before problems appear.

Evaluate the costs and benefits of all strategies. Compare life cycle costs versus the potential health consequences of occupants, decrease in guest satisfaction/worker production, and other economic and health consequences.

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Source Control

Indoor air quality problems can originate within the building envelope (materials, components, furniture, and HVAC system) and/or outside sources. Many of these sources can be controlled, reduced, or eliminated. Choices made at the design stage are most cost effective.


Set source control priorities that are feasible within the project budget, project schedule, and available technology. Identify likely candidates of indoor pollutant problems and deal with those first.

Establish the building owner(s)’s and occupants’ criteria and guidelines for improved IAQ. Educate them with respect indoor air quality issues.

Request Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for priority materials from product manufacturers. Note that an MSDS does not necessarily identify all potential indoor air quality problems.

Perform the following steps to evaluate the materials, products, and furniture in terms of their VOC contribution to the indoor air: Set total volatile organic compound (TVOC) limits for the project. Use an IAQ specialist to set limits if information is unavailable. Request emissions test data from product manufacturers.

Evaluate the emissions test data.

Based on the above information, determine if the priority material item is: Acceptable and not hazardous or whether the product installation requires modifications by manufacturer, specific installation requirements (temporary ventilation), or is unacceptable based on the limits specified for the project.

Take steps to control the MVOC contribution to the indoor air from materials. Specify materials that are resistant microbial growth. Encapsulate materials that may support microbial growth (i.e. insulation). Specify that any materials susceptible to microbial growth that become wet during construction be removed. Clean HVAC systems prior to occupancy. Install the vapour barrier properly (i.e. cold climates – on interior side of wall, hot-humid climates – on exterior side of wall).

Consider a building flush out. This is an opportunity to test (at maximum output) and commission HVAC systems while removing interior pollutants that may have concentrated while ventilation systems were inoperable. Often a test of the heating system enhances the release of emitting pollutants.

In remodelling projects, test for and remove know hazardous materials such as asbestos, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and fungal contamination. Utilize specially licensed contractors, employ negative pressures, isolate areas while removal is in progress, and flush out area once complete.

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Moisture Control

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ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Ventilation

Review the building occupants’ use needs, programmatic requirements, and the energy conservation code requirements to determine whether fixed or operable windows will be provided. Select operable windows where possible and adjust HVAC system controls accordingly.

Evaluate the HVAC system and develop the design criteria in accordance with applicable codes and ASHRAE standards. Provide adequate ventilation for building population. Eliminate sources or potential microbial growth areas. Design HVAC system for ease of maintenance and cleaning.

Design HVAC outdoor-air-intakes with indoor air quality concerns in mind. Locate intakes away from sources of pollutants (car parks, traffic routes, loading bays, plumbing vents, and air-outtakes). Protect air-intakes from biological contamination (i.e. birds).

Consider other HVAC design issues related to IAQ. Install high efficiency filtration. Design HVAC system for ease of maintenance for operators. Consider energy efficient economizers that allow the operator to decrease outdoor air intake to levels of minimum ventilation. Consider heat recovery between intake and outtake systems. Consider separate, individual exhaust systems for rooms with specific pollutant problems. Consider positive building pressurization to flush interior air outside (and in hot-humid climates to minimize humidity indoors).

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Occupancy Activity Control

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Building Maintenance

Indoor air quality problems once initiated grow to large problems rapidly without proper, regular maintenance.

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE
Minimum IAQ Performance

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ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Minimum IAQ Performance

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE
Minimum IEQ Performance

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ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Environmental Tobacco Smoke

Design the interior space to control any tobacco smoke as it is mandatory now in many jurisdictions to control tobacco smoke and associated contaminants to prevent non-smokers from being subjected to any exposure.

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
CO2 Monitoring

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Increase Ventilation Effectiveness

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Low Emitting Materials

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE
Interior Environment

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ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Controllability of Systems

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Thermal Comfort

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Daylighting and Views

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE
Lighting Quality

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ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Natural vs Artificial

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE
Acoustics

Designers have to consider both the interior acoustical quality for occupants and the acoustic noise that the building systems’ will produce during operation.

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Planning

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Design

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Finishes

ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE
Interior Environment

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ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT
Electro Magnetic Fields

Electric fields are produced by the motion of charged particles (i.e. electrical current). When these charged particles are passed through a wire coil then a magnetic field is produced (i.e. electromagnet). Electric fields can be mitigated with dense material (i.e. lead). Magnetic fields can only be mitigated with distance from source (intensity decreases ? 1/d2). Place equipment that produces electromagnetic fields away from positions that occupants occupy for extended periods of time. Strength decreases exponentially with distance.