An air quality plan is a very important document developed in the initial stages of the development being assessed in accordance with Breeam. The Indoor Air Quality Plan describes the steps that will be taken during the design, construction, commissioning and handover of the new development to ensure that the indoor air quality is acceptable.
In the initial stages of the whole process a person is appointed to deal with the issue regarding the air quality. The person is usually referred to as the IAQ Representative and conducts orientation sessions with affected construction workers and supervisors. In these sessions, the IAQ Representative will review goals covering all aspects of the Plan, including HVAC protection, source control, pathway interruption, use of low-VOC products, housekeeping, and flush-out.
In this blog I will focus on the requirements of Hea02 regarding the need to control the contaminants sources. To control the various contaminants on a construction site the construction workers are required use work practices that reduce the generation and distribution of indoor air pollutants. This would for example involve removal of waste paints and sealants from site once the relevant work is completed. It will also require that any construction waste, debris is to be cleared from site on a daily basis. It is a very good practice to replace the use of petrol powered tools with electric equipment.
To prevent the contaminants to pollute the building it is very important that the air distribution and management systems are well protected during the construction. As stipulated in an adequate air quality plan air handling fans, ductwork and products need be stored off site until needed for immediate installation where feasible and will be protected from contaminates (dust, vapours, moisture, etc.) at all times. It is also important that during installation, after installation and at the end of each shift, all open ducting, and plenums not in operation are completely sealed from intake of any airborne contaminates.
