Curriculum Overview
This online course teaches inspectors, building owners, facility personnel, and property managers how to perform an indoor air quality (IAQ) investigation. The four major factors affecting IAQ covered in this course include sources of indoor air contaminants, commercial HVAC system design and operation, control of odors and pollutant pathways, and the cooperation of building occupants. Inspectors must understand each factor’s role to effectively investigate, prevent, and help resolve IAQ-related issues.
The course also reviews the procedures and methods for creating an IAQ profile that inspectors can use to assess and document IAQ conditions in commercial buildings. This process supports evaluating conditions before and during the review of occupant complaints. IAQ testing can be offered in conjunction with a complete commercial inspection or as a stand-alone service. Many of the concepts and guidelines taught in this course can also be incorporated into a standard commercial property inspection.
The codes and standards covered in this course include ASHRAE Standard 62, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, ASHRAE Standard 55, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, and the International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties (ComSOP).
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- understand the four major factors that affect IAQ in commercial buildings;
- develop an IAQ profile of the building’s structure, function, and occupancy that impact IAQ;
- conduct an IAQ investigation to identify and report on IAQ problems;
- understand the basic principles that help prevent IAQ problems in commercial buildings;
- help property owners and managers develop and implement IAQ management plans;
- collect information from building owners and occupants to inventory pollutant sources and inventory pollutant pathways;
- use information gathered from building occupants and through an inspection to aid resolving IAQ problems; and
- understand common contaminants, including HVAC equipment, building operation sources, moisture, mold, mildew, asbestos, and radon.
Course Outline
- Learning Objectives
- Course Materials
- Background Information
- Basic Assumptions
- ASHRAE Standards and Guidelines
- Factors Affecting Indoor Air Quality
- Four Elements Involved in IAQ-Related Problems
- Sources of Indoor Air Contaminants
- HVAC System Design and Operation
- Pollutant Pathways and Driving Forces
- Building Occupants
- Introduction to Commercial HVAC
- Types of HVAC Systems
- Testing, Adjusting, Balancing
- HVAC Components
- Introduction to Components
- Outdoor Air Intake
- Mixed-Air Plenum and Outdoor Air Controls
- Air Filters
- Heating and Cooling Coils
- Humidification and Dehumidification Equipment
- Supply Fans
- Ducts
- Terminal Devices
- Return Air Supply
- Exhausts, Exhaust Fans, and Pressure Relief
- Self-Contained Units
- Controls
- Boilers
- Cooling Towers
- Water Chillers
- P-Trap
- Summary Video
- Developing an IAQ Profile
- What is an IAQ Profile?
- Different Types of IAQ Profiles
- Skills Required to Create an IAQ Profile
- Steps in an IAQ Profile
- Overview
- Developing an IAQ Profile Diagram
- Step 1: Collect and Review Existing Records
- Step 2: Conduct a Walk-Through Survey of the Building
- Step 3: Collect Detailed Information
- Managing Buildings for Good IAQ
- Note for Commercial Property Inspectors
- IAQ Management Plan Elements
- Developing an IAQ Management Plan
- Facility Operation and Maintenance
- Housekeeping
- Shipping and Receiving
- Pest Control
- Occupant Relations
- Renovation, Redecorating, and Remodeling
- Smoking
- Diagnosing Problems
- What is a Diagnostic Building Investigation?
- Overview: Conducting an IAQ Investigation
- Initial Walk-Through
- Collecting Additional Information
- Collecting Information About Occupant Complaints
- Using the Occupant Data
- Collecting Information About the HVAC System
- Using the HVAC System Data
- Collecting Information About Pollutant Pathways and Driving Forces
- Using Pollutant Pathway Data
- Collecting Information on Pollutant Sources
- Using Pollutant Source Data
- Sampling Air for Contaminants and Indicators
- Complaints Due to Conditions Other Than Poor Air Quality
- Forming and Testing Hypotheses
- Mitigating Problems
- Successful Mitigation
- Controlling Indoor Air Pollution
- Remedies for Complaints Not Attributed to Poor Air Quality
- Mock Investigations
- Sample Problems and Solutions
- Problem #1
- Problem #2
- Problem #3
- Problem #4
- Problem #5
- Problem #6
- Problem #7
- Problem #8
- Problem #9
- Problem #10
- Problem #11
- Problem #12
- Problem #13
- Problem #14
- Hiring Other Professionals
- Forming a Team
- Make Sure That Their Approach Fits Your Needs
- Selection Criteria
- IAQ Measurements
- Overview of Sampling Devices
- Simple Ventilation/Comfort Indicators
- Air Contaminant Concentrations
- Moisture, Mold, and Mildew
- Basics of Mold and Mildew
- Background on Relative Humidity, Vapor Pressure, and Condensation
- Taking Steps to Reduce Moisture
- Identifying and Correcting Common Problems from Mold and Mildew
- How to Identify the Cause of a Mold and Mildew Problem
- Asbestos
- Radon
- 83 questions
- Unlimited number of attempts
- 2-hour time limit for each attempt
- Score of at least 80% required to pass
- Downloadable certificate upon completion
Course Details
Estimated Hours
11.67 hours to complete
Format
Online, self-paced course. Start and stop anytime with progress saved.
Delivery
A series of readings, diagrams, inspection photos, and videos
Continuing Education Approvals
International Code Council (ICC) and InterNACHI<sup>®<sup>
What's Included
Coursebook
181-page coursebook PDF
Certificate
Instant certificate upon course completion