SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

Asset Classes

Focus Area

Indoor Air Quality and Hazards

Topic

Renovations and Maintenance

Question #

I4.1 – IAQ Control in Construction Specifications

Question

Are the construction IAQ controls included in specifications for owner or landlord renovation or construction projects?

Applicability

All asset classes
Owner/landlord occupied building
Tenant occupied building

Answer & Scoring

  • Yes = Points as indicated below

Select all that apply:

    • Yes — included in specifications = 1 point
    • Yes — evidence of implementation exists = 2 points

  • No = 0 points

Max of 3 points

Requirements

Before construction:

  1. Incorporate the Construction IAQ Control Plan into design and construction specifications for all owner or landlord-led renovation or construction projects being planned in the building
  2. Identify construction projects where the implementation of the Construction IAQ Control Plan would apply
  3. Prepare the specifications for those projects and highlight the sections detailing the construction IAQ control measures to follow
  4. During and after construction:

  5. Conduct regular inspections and document where and how the construction IAQ control measures are followed
  6. Keep a record of the inspections and track implementation of controls for the duration of the construction project

These specifications are required regardless of whether the owner/landlord has control over the tenant space as the specifications should be utilized if the owner/landlord needs to renovate the space during tenant change-over.

Documentation

  • Section of construction specifications detailing IAQ control measures
  • Photos or inspection reports demonstrating implementation of the Construction IAQ Plan

Suggested Lead

In-house, with third-party support

Value

  • Construction and renovation projects can cause extra particulates and contaminants to enter the air. This can negatively affect indoor air quality (IAQ). Extra precautions should be taken to preserve a healthy and safe indoor environment for building occupants
  • Building off I4.0 – IAQ Management in Construction, include the building’s construction IAQ control plan in construction specifications to manage negative IAQ effects from construction activities
  • Additional points will be awarded to buildings that provide proof of implementation of IAQ control strategies during construction

Description

Specific guidelines must be in place for base-building or tenant renovations and construction projects to ensure that contaminants are not released into the surrounding interior environment and building indoor air quality (IAQ) is maintained.

Contractors or sub-contractors performing renovation or construction work in a building may be required to follow SMACNA IAQ guidelines as directed by the owner or landlord.

References

Adapted BB 3.0 Question

New in BOMA BEST 4.0