ASHRAE Receives EPA Grant to Provide Advanced IAQ Guidance

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ASHRAE – ASHRAE has received a $510,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to provide guidance for designing and building healthier buildings with effective operation and maintenance programs that reduce exposure to toxics and asthma/allergy triggers.

The three-year grant will be used to write the Advanced Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Design Guide for Non-Residential Buildings, which will help professionals implement high performance designs, improve indoor air quality performance, increase energy efficiency and decrease the environmental impact of exposure to air toxics in a broad range of non-residential buildings.

The grant is part of some $4 million awarded by EPA to improve indoor air quality. ASHRAE will collaborate with the U.S. Green Building Council, the American Institute of Architects and other organizations that address indoor air quality.

“Through the guide and an associated education effort, ASHRAE will improve the long-term environmental health for building occupants by reducing their exposure to air toxics and increased productivity due to greater comfort and health of building occupants,” Terry Townsend, P.E., ASHRAE president, said. “The project addresses the EPA’s priority areas of indoor air pollutants, which include asthma triggers such as dust mites, pests, mold and air toxics.”

“We are thrilled to be working with ASHRAE on the Advanced IAQ Design Guide,” Eric Werling, EPA project officer, said. “This guide will fill a critical information need for the building industry, and ASHRAE has the experience and reputation to deliver a top-notch project.”

The guide will facilitate the design process so that advanced practice can be accomplished within the constraints of typical construction and design fees.

It is expected to be published in late 2008, with an ASHRAE Professional Development Seminar based on the guide available in late 2009.

ASHRAE, founded in 1894, is an international organization of 55,000 persons. ASHRAE fulfills its mission of advancing heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education.

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