Measuring Matters: Deploying the Indoor Air Quality Procedure with Confidence

Despite this progress, some designers and owners are reluctant to adopt the IAQP because they fear a scenario where they may need more outdoor air. It is important to note that ASHRAE Standard 62.1 selects contaminant limits well-below OSHA and other safety standard levels and directs the use of independently validated air cleaning technology. Following that, the standard provides an objective evaluation (in 62.1 §7.3.1) to validate the IAQP design with laboratory-grade air quality sampling. While the specificity during design and validation after construction are helpful, designers and owners may consider long-term performance of an IAQP design when space use changes and equipment performance drifts.

Long-term system performance is the IAQP’s starkest challenge. As defined, the IAQP is open-loop. If conditions assumed in the IAQP mass balance equation are exceeded and/or air cleaner performance is compromised, the air quality of the space may be at risk. Open-loop operation generates the potential for system failure both in over and under performance. The solution is straight-forward, apply a product that is responsive to air quality conditions supported by traceability to prove compliance with the standard.

Air quality feedback loops and responsive control is not novel. This is commonplace in temperature and humidity regulation. Doing so for air quality has traditionally required technology and human power that exceeds budgets. Integrated solid state sensing in smartIAQ® solves this concern and closes the loop. Requiring no calibration, the air quality processor in smartIAQ rises to the challenge of the IAQP with validation and traceability.

As a clean air delivery device, smartIAQ is tested safe and effective by third party laboratories to ASHRAE Standards 145.2, 52.2, and 241. It is purpose-built for IAQP and measures air quality, ensuring continuous compliance to the standard. As contaminants increase, smartIAQ cleans more, as contaminants decrease, it idles to extend filter life. The fidelity and self-calibration of the integrated solid-state sensors in smartIAQ support this operation, requiring no additional installation cost or human intervention.

Integrated solid-state sensors and control logic drive the clean air response. The same logic also indicates when filters are at end of life or if an air quality anomaly is occurring, empowering facility leaders to respond. Taking the intelligence further, smartIAQ may also be integrated into and managed by a BMS via MODBUS or BACnet™. While other approaches and technologies may achieve the same result as smartIAQ, the integrated design and operating logic makes smartIAQ a simpler and more cost-effective solution.

Going beyond the limits of the IAQP, other standards like LEED v5 and the WELL Building Standard provide additional thresholds for air quality. smartIAQ may be factory-configured to the levels specified in these standards. In that case, smartIAQ conditions and monitors air quality to those levels ensuring compliance and traceability.

References:
1] ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2022 Addendum N September 30, 2022
[2] ASHRAE Position Paper on Indoor CO2 February 2, 2022