Assessment of LEED indoor air quality parameters at a new church building in South-Central Kentucky

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Indoor air quality assessment was conducted at a newly completed Catholic Church building in South-central Kentucky as part of the US Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification requirements. From business perspective, green building certification has become an important staple for demonstrating environmental stewardship. The LEED certification process stipulates, among others, that points be awarded for energy conservation as well as documentation that selected indoor air contaminant concentrations are below certain target levels. It must be noted that any decision by a builder or architect aimed at obtaining the LEED credit point certification involves some financial commitment. The present study provides some practical solutions for obtaining the LEED credit point for post-construction indoor air quality assessment. Measurements were made for total volatile organic compounds, particulate matter less than 10μ in size (PM 10), formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide (IEQ 3.2: Indoor Air Quality Management Plan After Construction). The tests were conducted in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Air Pollutants in Indoor Air." Airborne samples were collected over a period of two days at approximately four feet above floor level using the GrayWolf Pack DirectSense IAQ Plus", the PM-205KIT Particulate Monitor and the RK-FP30 Formaldehyde meter. The results showed that all parameters tested were below their respective USGBC LEED IEQ Target concentrations. TVOCs concentrations were below 56 μg/m 3. PM 10 levels were below 6.6 μg/m3 and formaldehyde and carbon monoxide concentrations were 0.40 ppb and 0.26 ppm, respectively. The results of this study suggest that building materials used and installed at the church had low emissions and met and/or exceeded the levels stipulated by USGBC for LEED IEQ certification.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationWorld Energy Engineering Congress 2011, WEEC 2011
Pages1552-1557
Number of pages6
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes
EventWorld Energy Engineering Congress 2011, WEEC 2011 - Chicago, IL, United States
Duration: Oct 12 2011Oct 14 2011

Publication series

NameWorld Energy Engineering Congress 2011, WEEC 2011
Volume2

Conference

ConferenceWorld Energy Engineering Congress 2011, WEEC 2011
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago, IL
Period10/12/1110/14/11

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Fuel Technology

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