This online course will teach the student 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 need to understand each factor’s role in order to investigate and help prevent and resolve IAQ-related problems.
The course also reviews the procedures and methods for creating an IAQ profile that inspectors can use to assess and document IAQ in commercial buildings before compiling complaints from building occupants.
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 in a standard commercial property inspection. It is also useful for building owners, property managers, and other facility personnel in developing their skills to assess potential IAQ issues at their property.
The codes and standards covered in this course include ASHRAE Standard 62: “Ventilation for Acceptable Air Quality,” ASHRAE Standard 55: “Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, and the International Standards of Practice for Inspecting Commercial Properties (ComSOP). For more information about this course, visit Indoor Air Quality Online Course.
Goal
The goal of this course is to teach the student how to perform an indoor air quality investigation at a commercial property.
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; and
- conduct an IAQ investigation to identify and report on IAQ problems.