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Copyright 2014, GrayWolf Sensing Solutions LLCCopyright 2014, GrayWolf Sensing Solutions LLC

IAQ Basics in the Time of Covid-19

Presented By: Rick Stonier

Managing Partner

RickS@GrayWolfSensing.com

GrayWolf Sensing Solutions

IAQ in the Time of Coronavirus

We will cover the following in this brief, 10-minute

presentation:

IAQ fundamentals

Typical parameters measured

The balance between energy savings and occupant

productivity

What has changed due to the Coronavirus

IAQ measurement parameters emphasized due to

Covid-19

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality “IAQ” generally refers to

conditions within buildings that impact

occupants’:

Health (short/long-term) Covid-19 refocuses emphasis

Comfort (“IEQ” includes thermal comfort, sound level,

light, vibration)

Productivity (Work/Learning Performance)

Indoor Air Quality

“That all people should have free access to air and water of acceptable quality is a fundamental human right.” World Health Organization, Air Quality Guidelines for Europe, 2nd ed.

“Research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors.”

US Environmental Protection Agency, The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality

Typical Adult Daily Intake by Mass

Liquids (1.9kg)

Solids (2.5kg)

Outdoor Air(2.1 kg)

Indoor Air(18.5 kg)

Indoor Air Quality

Sources: Liquids/Solids; US Food and Drug Administration

Air; US Environmental Protection Agency

We are all very concerned about water quality, about food quality and about outdoor air quality. But IAQ concerns are not on most people’s radar; at least not yet. By volume, or by mass, we introduce more external matter into our bodies via indoor air than by way of all other sources combined. Hence, indoor air presents the greatest potential for exposure to contaminants.

Current Legislation

Many Asian countries,

Australia, UAE, Finland and

some others coming to more

of the Middle East and Europe.

Typically Regulated:

Carbon Dioxide

TVOCs

Particulate (PM2.5, PM10)

Carbon Monoxide

Often Formaldehyde, Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide

Sometimes NH3, NO, SO2, C6H6, Radon and

Others….

Voluntary Green Building Certifications

Typically Measured:

Carbon Dioxide

TVOCs

Particulates (PM2.5, PM10)

Carbon Monoxide

Often Formaldehyde, Ozone, NO2

Sometimes C6H6, Radon and Others….

IAQ vs. Energy Use

IAQ and Energy Use are inter-related

U.S. Energy Use

• 21% residential buildings

• 19% commercial buildings

• 33% industry

• 28% transportation

40% of U.S. energy use

is from buildings (41% in Europe)

40%

Source: US Energy Information Administration (2010)

Typical US Building Energy Use

53% is Cooling, Heating and Ventilation EquipmentSource: Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, Building Commissioning, 2009

Building Cooling, Heating & Ventilation

20% of over-all US energy use (roughly the same in

Europe and other industrialized parts of the world)

Has been a ripe target for energy savings!

Current Emphasis

At present there is a bias towards: Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Energy Use Reductions

Energy $ Savings

USGBC LEED certification

European Directive On

Energy Efficient Buildings

ASHRAE (American Society of Heating Refrigeration &

Air Conditioning Engineers) Standard 62 “Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality”

Broad International Acceptance

ASHRAE 62-2007 reducedventilation rates vs. previous versions and

ASHRAE 62-2016 doesn’t reverse that

A requirement for LEED Certification (5 points)

A minimum ventilation standard

o Not a health standard

o LEED offers 1 optional point forincreasing design ventilation 30%

above ASHRAE-62 recommended

level

Ventilation Standards

IAQ vs. Energy Use

Newer Standards Rebalance:

Energy Savings vs.

Occupant Wellness (Covid-19

increases prioritization on this)

Cost Benefit Analysis

Average USA Office workers in cities $55K/year

x 1.4 (tax & benefits) /200 sq ft per employee =

$385 per sq ft per year

Average Energy use $3.00 per sq ft per year

Cut Ventilation in half saves 3.00 *0.53 *0.5 =

~$0.80 per sq ft per year

Cut productivity by 10% Increased absenteeism, leaving early

Reduced typing skills, creativity, etc.

Reduced employee workplace satisfaction

Etc., etc.

costs $38.50 per sq ft per year

Outdoor Air Ventilation Rate

CO2

Airflow

“Dilution is the Solution to Pollution”*

*It’s a bit more complicated. Source control is most important. However,

many sources, such as occupants who may be shedding viruses and

office equipment, can’t always be eliminated. Meanwhile, OA “dilution

air” may bring additional issues such as elevated %RH/particulates (if not

controlled/filtered) which can lead to other IAQ issues.

Pollutant Pathways

Differential Pressure Verify that pollutant or virus sources are negatively

pressurized vs. adjoining spaces.

Filter efficiency

Particulates

Mold Spores

Pollen

Dust

Improperly ventilated

combustion

Intrusive auto/truck

exhaust

Intrusive local industrial

processes

Construction

Filter Efficiency

Other Specific Contaminants:

CO (Carbon Monoxide) Very common in indoor air. Hazardous

to short and long-term health. Potentially

lethal.

O3 (Ozone) From office equipment, OA intrusion, O3 generators

CI2 (Chlorine) From cleaning products

CI2O2 (Chlorine Dioxide) From cleaning products

NH3 (Ammonia) From cleaning products, pets, lab animals

H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide) From sewer backup, defective drywall

Measurement Solutions

GrayWolf offers instrumentation with sensors to

measure many specific IAQ parameters with a

high level of accuracy, and to screen for other

contaminants of concern. These units enable

highly efficient:

Walk-thru Surveys

Long-Term Trend Logging

Documentation

Reporting

Monitoring Solutions

GrayWolfLive® Cloud Application: Remote access to any WiFi enabled GrayWolf sensors

View on any device

Live Readings, Continuous Monitoring

Gauges, Graphs, Tables and much more

Copyright 2014, GrayWolf Sensing Solutions LLCCopyright 2014, GrayWolf Sensing Solutions LLC

IAQ Basics in the Time of Covid-19

QUESTIONS?RickS@GrayWolfSensing.com

www.GrayWolfSensing.com