Chapter 4 INDOOR AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT INTRODUCTION The quality of the indoor environment in any building is a result of the interaction between the site, climate, building system (original design and later modifications in the structure and mechanical systems), construction techniques, contaminant sources (building materials and furnishings, moisture, processes and activities within the building and outdoor sources), and the activities of the building occupants. To generalize, the following factors are involved in the development of indoor air quality problems: Source: there is a source of contamination or discomfort indoors, outdoors, or within the mechanical systems of the building. HVAC: the HVAC system is not able. | Chapter 4 INDOOR AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT INTRODUCTION The quality of the indoor environment in any building is a result of the interaction between the site climate building system original design and later modifications in the structure and mechanical systems construction techniques contaminant sources building materials and furnishings moisture processes and activities within the building and outdoor sources and the activities of the building occupants. To generalize the following factors are involved in the development of indoor air quality problems Source there is a source of contamination or discomfort indoors outdoors or within the mechanical systems of the building. HVAC the HVAC system is not able to control existing air contaminants and ensuring thermal comfort temperature and humidity conditions that are comfortable for most occupants . Pathways one or more pollutant pathways connect the pollutant source to the occupants and a driving force exists to move pollutants along the pathway s . Occupants building occupants are present. It is important to understand the role that each of these factors may play in order to prevent investigate and resolve and manage indoor air quality problems. Indoor air contaminants can originate within the building or be drawn in from outdoors. If contaminant sources are not controlled problems can arise even if the HVAC system is properly designed and well-maintained. Sources can be from outside the building from operating equipment from human activities and other or miscellaneous sources. Sources outside a building include contaminated outdoor air emissions from nearby sources soil gas or moisture or standing water. 149 Copyright 2001 Marcel Dekker Inc. 150 CHAPTER 4 Contaminated outdoor air can include pollen dust fungal spores industrial pollutants general vehicle exhaust. Emissions from nearby sources include exhaust from vehicles on nearby roads or in parking lots or garages loading docks odors from dumpsters re-entrained .
