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LEED v4
Homes
Indoor Environmental Quality
Contaminant control

LEED CREDIT

Homes-v4 EQc2: Contaminant control 0.5-2 points

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USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Option 1. Walk-off Mats (0.5 point)
At each primary entryway from the outdoors, design and install a permanent walk-off mat that is at least 4 feet (1.2 meters) long and allows access for cleaning (e.g., grating with catch basin). Permanent walk-off mats are required only for primary exterior entryways, but nonpermanent walk-off mats are strongly recommended for other entryways. For regularly used common exterior entryways in multifamily buildings, install permanent systems that are at least 10 feet long (3 meters) in the primary direction of travel to capture dirt and particulates. Acceptable entryway systems include permanently installed grates, grilles, and slotted surfaces that allow for cleaning underneath. Roll-out mats are acceptable only if maintained on a weekly basis by a contracted service organization.

AND/OR

Option 2. Shoe Removal and Storage (0.5 point)
Design a shoe removal and storage space near the primary entryway, separated from living areas. This space must be a permanent architectural feature and it must be large enough to accommodate a bench and at least two pairs of shoes per bedroom and must not have conventional carpet. Carpet tile is acceptable if it’s specifically designed for entryway systems or similar use, including performance attributes equivalent to other acceptable entryway systems. For multifamily buildings, design a shoe removal and storage space at each residential unit’s primary entrance.

AND/OR

Option 3. Preoccupancy Flush (0.5 points)
At installation, seal all permanent ducts and vents to minimize contamination from construction. Remove seals after all phases of construction are completed. After construction ends and before occupancy, flush the home with fresh air, according to the following guidelines:
  • Remove any dust and debris from ducts.
  • Flush the entire home for 48 hours, keeping all windows and interior doors open; the 48 hours may be nonconsecutive if necessary.
  • Keep all windows open and run a fan (e.g., HVAC system fan) continuously, or flush the home with all HVAC fans and exhaust fans operating continuously at the highest flow rate.
For multifamily buildings, the requirements apply only to all in-unit spaces. Projects that earn the EPA Indoor airPLUS label automatically meet the requirements of Option 3.

AND/OR

Option 4. Air Testing (1 point)
After construction ends and before occupancy, but under ventilation conditions typical for occupancy, conduct baseline indoor air quality testing using protocols consistent with the methods listed in Table 1. Project teams must follow either the current versions of ASTM standard methods, EPA compendium methods, or ISO methods, as indicated. Laboratories that conduct the tests for chemical analysis of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds must be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 for the test methods they use. Demonstrate that contaminants do not exceed concentration levels listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Maximum concentration levels, by contaminant and testing method
click the link to view full table Conduct all measurements before occupancy but during normal occupied hours, with the building ventilation system started at the normal daily start time and operated at the minimum outside air flow rate for the occupied mode throughout the test. The number of sampling locations depends on the size of the building and number of ventilation systems but must include the entire building and all representative situations. Include areas with the least ventilation and greatest presumed source strength. Collect air samples between 3 and 6 feet (900 and 1 800 millimeters) from the floor to represent the breathing zone of occupants over a minimum four-hour period. Measure particulate concentrations by a gravimetric method. Hand-held or real-time instruments are not acceptable unless they are calibrated on site against the standard gravimetric method. For each sampling point where the concentration exceeds the limit, take corrective action and retest for the noncompliant contaminants at the same sampling points. Repeat until all requirements are met. Refer to CA Section 01350, Appendix B, New Single-Family Residence Scenario, for air-testing guidance. See all forum discussions about this credit »

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Addenda

10/2/2017Updated: 10/23/2017
Rating System Correction
Description of change:
Revise Table 1 as follows:

1. Remove TO-15 from "ASTM and U.S. EPA methods" column

2. Add the full list of target chemicals, except formaldehyde, from CDPH Standard Method v1.1 in place of the single row (Target chemicals listed in CDPH Standard Method v1.1, Table 4.1, except formaldehyde) and revise the Maximum concentrations from CDPH Standard Method v1.1 2010, Allowable Concentrations, Table 4-1 with the Cal/EPA OEHHA full CREL in effect on June 2014.

3. reformat table for clarity
Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
4/5/2016
LEED Interpretation
Inquiry:

Which LEED v4 Homes credit and prerequisite requirements can be automatically met by the EPA Indoor airPLUS program?

Ruling:

Projects that earn the EPA Indoor airPLUS label, based on Indoor airPLUS Version 1 (Rev 03) Construction Specifications automatically meet the requirements of the following prerequisites and credits:

EQ prerequisite Ventilation;
EQ prerequisite Combustion venting;
EQ prerequisite Garage pollutant protection;
EQ prerequisite Radon-resistant construction;
EQ prerequisite Air filtering;
EQ prerequisite Environmental tobacco smoke;
EQ credit Contaminant control, Option 3. Preoccupancy Flush (0.5 points);
EQ credit Enhanced combustion venting, Option 2. Enhanced combustion venting measures (1 point);
EQ credit Enhanced garage pollutant protection, Case 1. Single Family, Option 1. Exhaust Fan in Garage (1 point)
MR credit Durability management verification (1 point)
SS credit Nontoxic pest control (1 point) , measure: Seal all external cracks, joints, penetrations, edges, and entry points with appropriate caulking. Install rodent- and corrosion-proof screens (e.g., copper or stainless steel mesh) on all openings greater than ¼ inch (6 millimeters), except where code prohibits their installation (e.g., dryer vents), and measure: Design discharge points for rain gutters, air-conditioning condensation lines, steam vent lines, or any other moisture source such that discharge is at least 24 inches (600 millimeters) from the foundation.

In addition, project teams are eligible for an Innovation credit for additional moisture control items covered in Indoor airPLUS and not directly awarded in LEEDv4

Campus Applicable
No
Internationally Applicable:
No
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USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Option 1. Walk-off Mats (0.5 point)
At each primary entryway from the outdoors, design and install a permanent walk-off mat that is at least 4 feet (1.2 meters) long and allows access for cleaning (e.g., grating with catch basin). Permanent walk-off mats are required only for primary exterior entryways, but nonpermanent walk-off mats are strongly recommended for other entryways. For regularly used common exterior entryways in multifamily buildings, install permanent systems that are at least 10 feet long (3 meters) in the primary direction of travel to capture dirt and particulates. Acceptable entryway systems include permanently installed grates, grilles, and slotted surfaces that allow for cleaning underneath. Roll-out mats are acceptable only if maintained on a weekly basis by a contracted service organization.

AND/OR

Option 2. Shoe Removal and Storage (0.5 point)
Design a shoe removal and storage space near the primary entryway, separated from living areas. This space must be a permanent architectural feature and it must be large enough to accommodate a bench and at least two pairs of shoes per bedroom and must not have conventional carpet. Carpet tile is acceptable if it’s specifically designed for entryway systems or similar use, including performance attributes equivalent to other acceptable entryway systems. For multifamily buildings, design a shoe removal and storage space at each residential unit’s primary entrance.

AND/OR

Option 3. Preoccupancy Flush (0.5 points)
At installation, seal all permanent ducts and vents to minimize contamination from construction. Remove seals after all phases of construction are completed. After construction ends and before occupancy, flush the home with fresh air, according to the following guidelines:
  • Remove any dust and debris from ducts.
  • Flush the entire home for 48 hours, keeping all windows and interior doors open; the 48 hours may be nonconsecutive if necessary.
  • Keep all windows open and run a fan (e.g., HVAC system fan) continuously, or flush the home with all HVAC fans and exhaust fans operating continuously at the highest flow rate.
For multifamily buildings, the requirements apply only to all in-unit spaces. Projects that earn the EPA Indoor airPLUS label automatically meet the requirements of Option 3.

AND/OR

Option 4. Air Testing (1 point)
After construction ends and before occupancy, but under ventilation conditions typical for occupancy, conduct baseline indoor air quality testing using protocols consistent with the methods listed in Table 1. Project teams must follow either the current versions of ASTM standard methods, EPA compendium methods, or ISO methods, as indicated. Laboratories that conduct the tests for chemical analysis of formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds must be accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 for the test methods they use. Demonstrate that contaminants do not exceed concentration levels listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Maximum concentration levels, by contaminant and testing method
click the link to view full table Conduct all measurements before occupancy but during normal occupied hours, with the building ventilation system started at the normal daily start time and operated at the minimum outside air flow rate for the occupied mode throughout the test. The number of sampling locations depends on the size of the building and number of ventilation systems but must include the entire building and all representative situations. Include areas with the least ventilation and greatest presumed source strength. Collect air samples between 3 and 6 feet (900 and 1 800 millimeters) from the floor to represent the breathing zone of occupants over a minimum four-hour period. Measure particulate concentrations by a gravimetric method. Hand-held or real-time instruments are not acceptable unless they are calibrated on site against the standard gravimetric method. For each sampling point where the concentration exceeds the limit, take corrective action and retest for the noncompliant contaminants at the same sampling points. Repeat until all requirements are met. Refer to CA Section 01350, Appendix B, New Single-Family Residence Scenario, for air-testing guidance.
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