SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

Asset Classes

Focus Area

Indoor Air Quality and Hazards

Topic

Ventilation and Exhaust

Question #

Owner or landlord maintains Outdoor Air, Residential

Question

Do measured Outdoor Air (OA) ventilation rates in owner or landlord-controlled areas meet minimum carbon dioxide (CO2), ASHRAE 62.1 or ASHRAE 62.2 thresholds?

Applicability

Multi-Unit Residential
Tenant occupied building

Answer & Scoring

Select all that apply:

  • Yes – CO2 concentrations below 800ppm = 1 point
  • Yes – OA rates meet current ASHRAE 62.1 Table 6.2.2.1 minimum requirements (corridors and common areas) = 1 point
  • Yes – OA rates meet current ASHRAE 62.2 minimum requirements (residential spaces) = 1 point
  • No = 0 points

Max of 3 points

Requirements

  1. Implement a process for reviewing the efficiency of tenant HVAC equipment at lease expiry, with recommendations to address any deficiencies related to:
    • Energy efficiency
    • Carbon reduction
  2. Describe corrective actions planned and implemented, and person responsible

Documentation

  • Narrative describing the process to assess and improve HVAC equipment at lease expiry

Suggested Lead

In-house

Value

  • Excessive carbon dioxide (CO2) in a building can cause adverse health effects. CO2 levels should be kept under the recommended level of 800 ppm to prevent negative impacts on building occupants
  • Ventilate indoor spaces with an adequate amount of outdoor air to manage CO2 levels and indoor air contaminants
  • Engage qualified professionals to perform indoor air testing in tenant-controlled areas to confirm that CO2concentrations in compliance
  • Alternatively, install sensors in tenant spaces to monitor CO2 levels and confirm they are below the recommended level

Description

Where tenants manage HVAC equipment, owner or landlords should be aware of operations and maintenance practices within tenant spaces to check that tenant practices are not negatively impacting adjacent or base building components that are the owner or landlord’s responsibility.

At lease expiry the owner or landlord has the opportunity to replace inefficient equipment and implement strategies that could advance the organization’s energy efficiency and net zero goals.

References

Adapted BB 3.0 Question

New in BOMA BEST 4.0