Appendix_A-9_IAQ_Testing_Procedures.pdf

FY 2013

PROTOTYPE FOR URBAN INTERIM

HOUSING UNITS

Brooklyn, NY Project No. 399679

APPENDIX A-9 INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ)

TESTING PROCEDURES

IAQ SCREENING TESTING PROCEDURES FOR INTERIM HOUSING UNITS

A. Pre‐Test Procedure (Ventilation Period)

Conduct testing with all furniture, curtains, etc. installed in the unit.

Close all windows, exterior doors, vents and other openings; interior doors are to remain open.

Turn on the HVAC system, set to 72oF, and maintain for five (5) continuous days.

Verify thermostat temperature reading is +‐ 5oF of 72oF twice daily (morning and evening).

B. Testing Procedure (1st test)

After the five (5) day ventilation period, within 24 hours, the indoor air quality for each unit shall be tested to document that the IAQ is below the required threshold limits. All testing should occur only between 7:00am – 6:00pm. This represents the typical peak in the temperature under normal weather patterns and will demonstrate an effort was made to conduct testing during the warm/humid part of the day. This likely will generate the highest possible readings. Unit shall remained sealed during testing, interior doors shall remain open if they do not lead to the outside.

The IAQ testing shall be conducted by a qualified industrial hygienist (IH) trained and experienced in conducting IAQ air sampling.

The HVAC system shall be shut off for 24 hours prior to the test, and shall remain off during testing.

The IH shall document the conditions in which testing is performed by field notes and photographs.

The IAQ testing shall be performed for the following contaminants and maximum allowable concentrations:

o Formaldehyde – Direct‐reading instrumentation or Lab sampling, approved via

NIOSH 2016

Maximum concentration – Less than 16ppb o Total Volatile Organic Compounds (tVOCs) – ppbRAE analyzer or similar direct‐ reading instrumentation

Maximum concentration – 500 micrograms per cubic meter o Particulates (PM10) – Met One Discrete Particle Counter (DPC) or similar direct‐ reading instrumentation

Maximum concentration – 50 micrograms per cubic meter o 4‐Phenylcyclohexene (4‐PCH)* ‐ Charcoal tube media and low flow air sampling pump

Maximum concentration – 6.5 micrograms per cubic meter

*this test is only required if carpets and fabrics with styrene butadiene rubber

(SBR) latex backing material are installed.

Instrumentation shall have a current factory calibration at the time of testing and shall be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications/recommendations.

Must be able to test for levels of Formaldehyde at a minimum of 14 ppb, and shall have an accuracy rate of at least 90%.

The tests shall be collected in the general breathing zone of approximately three to six feet from the floor and 12 inches from the wall, away from any vent, for each unit. One test shall be taken in units with an open floor plan and sufficient air mixing; two tests shall be taken in units with two zones that may be isolated from each other.

If test passes, place a sticker below the kitchen sink with the test results, date, and name of the industrial hygienist that conducted the test.

If unit fails any part of the test, the IH shall determine the cause of the problem, report the problem to the vendor and the COR. The Vendor shall provide the COR with a plan to bring the unit into compliance. If the plan is accepted, the COR will authorize a re‐ test.