The Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP) is the new performance-based ventilation method that incorporates air cleaning into ventilation design to reduce the amount of outdoor air intake required to ensure acceptable indoor air quality, effectively reducing the strain on existing HVAC systems to allow for less energy consumption and less HVAC capacity in new construction.
The History of IAQP:
As the foremost authority for building design, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) continually updates ventilation design standards via ASHRAE Standard 62.1 to ensure safe, breathable environment for building occupants. The most current version is ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2022 which introduced a new Indoor Air Quality Procedure that not only allows a breathable, occupiable indoor space, but also ensures safe indoor air quality (IAQ).
The Old IAQP:
The Indoor Air Quality Procedure was first introduced in ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2019 as an alternative ventilation method to the most commonly used Ventilation Rate Procedure (VRP). This ventilation approach offered a framework for maintaining building comfort in tandem with safe indoor air quality, allowing for greater flexibility in addressing specific environmental conditions and pollutant sources. While the IAQP established foundational principles for indoor air quality, it left certain aspects of research and development to the project engineers and other professionals. This encouraged innovation and adaption within the industry, as engineers could tailor solutions based on the unique needs of each building and the latest advancements in technology and air quality management. However, this also meant that practitioners had to navigate a landscape with varying levels of understanding and implementation of those guidelines, highlighting the need for ongoing research and collaboration in the field.
The New IAQP:
The recent updates to the Indoor Air Quality Procedure in ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2022 replace subjective interpretations by project engineers with clear, quantitative requirements. This ensures acceptable indoor air quality and reduces risk for those designing with this ventilation method. Let’s talk about these changes:
What are the differences?
- List of Design Compounds: Table 6-5 was added into the “new” Indoor Air Quality Procedure which provides a list of 15 contaminants or “Design Compounds” and their limits. This addition gives engineers a finite list to measure and certify acceptable indoor air quality has been met.
- Indoor Air Quality Verification Testing: ASHRAE provides IAQ testing requirements to verify system contaminant removal efficiency. The requirements include allowed laboratory test methods, direct read instrument specifications, minimum calibration, and more.
- IAQP Calculator: ASHRAE developed a third-party user-friendly calculator to simplify IAQP calculations and predict IAQ impact and performance.
The Benefits of IAQP:
Why stick to the VRP for your building’s ventilation design when there’s a better option? The new engineered ventilation system design (IAQP) allows recirculation of purified air, drastically reducing the need for outside air. This reduction brings several benefits:
- Energy and Cost Savings: Reducing the requirements for outside air lessens the demand on HVAC systems, resulting in decreased energy consumption for heating and cooling, ultimately lowering operational cost and supporting decarbonization and sustainability efforts.
- Reduced Equipment Requirements: By minimizing outdoor air intake, it becomes possible to downsize various equipment, including chillers, cooling towers, heating systems, and air handlers. This leads to cost savings during installation and lowers the requirement for large energy recovery systems or dedicated outdoor air systems.
- Enhanced Indoor Air Quality: The IAQP enables strict control over indoor air contaminants through the use of advanced filtration and compliant air cleaning technologies, which leads to acceptable indoor air quality.
- Resilience Against Outdoor Threats: Relying heavily on outside air can expose occupants to elevated levels of pollutants, especially with the growing risk of wildfires and urban pollution. IAQP’s focus on contaminant control makes buildings more resilient by reducing the intake of potentially harmful outdoor air, which is crucial for areas experiencing ongoing air quality issues.
When Will Your State Adopt the IAQP into Building Code?
Luckily, you don’t have to wait. The International Mechanical Code (IMC) allows for the use of both the VRP and the IAQP, the latter of which is described as an “engineered ventilation system design.” In addition, the IMC has accepted a change in its next revision to further support the IAQP based on a request from ASHRAE.
Furthermore, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is developing it’s LEED Version 5 parameters and has recently published it for public review. Among the various earnable credits for LEED Certification is the adoption of the Indoor Air Quality Procedure as it is written in ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2022. Similarly, performing indoor air quality testing to the requirements in the same standard also counts towards LEED Certification.
How Do I Implement the IAQP?
With largely in-room portable air purifiers in the market, how is the new performance-based ventilation procedure, or IAQP, possible? AirBox has recently introduced its line of High-Volume Purifiers (HVPs) that were specifically designed for the Indoor Air Quality Procedure. The units range from 2,000 to 9,000 CFM to cover large scale, multi-room, and whole-building purification depending on building design. With advanced filtration on board, the AirBox HVPs can effectively remove all design compounds and reduce outdoor air intake by 50%-90% resulting in immense yearly energy savings and a reduction in HVAC capacity in new construction.
In addition, the AirBox Analytical Group can also perform the required Indoor Air Quality Verification Testing in accordance with all testing requirements put forth by ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2022. AirBox combines data from cutting-edge sensor technology with in-depth lab analysis performed by an accredited third-party lab to ensure a comprehensive and accurate assessment and verification of air quality.
Get Started:
AirBox can assist your design team in implementing the Indoor Air Quality Procedure whether it’s for retrofit or new construction. Our team of experts specializes in leveraging the newest ventilation and indoor air quality standards for our clients. We offer a comprehensive, turnkey solution for IAQP, providing everything from design assistance and feasibility calculations to solutions and verification testing. Analytical Group can also perform Reach out to our team to get started on feasibility calculations and projected ROI.
