Executive Order 13423 Technical Guidance - Ventilation and Thermal Comfort
General Principles and Commitments
Meet the current ASHRAE Standard 55-2004, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, including continuous humidity control within established ranges per climate zone, and ASHRAE Standard 62-2004, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality.
Technical Guidance
Introduction
Meet ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2004, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality: While an aggressive program to control and manage indoor pollutant sources is essential to maintaining good indoor environmental quality (IEQ), it only constitutes the first line of defense. Ventilation with cleaner outdoor air is necessary to further dilute the concentration of remaining pollutants. This is achieved through proper design, operation, and maintenance of the HVAC system and other building components, as outlined in ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2004, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. In accordance with this standard, facility managers and operating engineers must ensure that ventilation rates appropriate to the spaces, uses and occupancy levels be continuously provided. HVAC systems must be continuously maintained and protected from contamination.
Meet the current ASHRAE Standard 55-2004, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, including continuous humidity control within established ranges per climate zone: Maintaining appropriate indoor temperature and humidity levels is important for occupant health, productivity and comfort. Humidity levels need to be kept low enough to prevent the development of the structural and human health problems associated with moisture in buildings. (See Moisture Control)
Related Mandates
- 41 CFR § 102-74.195: "During working hours in periods of heating and cooling, Federal agencies must provide ventilation in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 62, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality where physically practical. Where not physically practical, Federal agencies must provide the maximum allowable amount of ventilation during periods of heating and cooling and pursue opportunities to increase ventilation up to current standards."
- 41 CFR § 102-74.185(b) states: "Within the limitations of the building systems, Federal agencies must…maintain temperatures to maximize customer satisfaction by conforming to local commercial equivalent temperature levels and operating practices."
The Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers provides model guide spec language to assist agencies in meeting these requirements.
Major Resources
WBDG
Design Objectives
High-Performance HVAC, Natural Ventilation, Productive—Provide Comfortable Environments, Sustainable—Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality
Publications
- ASHRAE 55, Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy
- ASHRAE 62, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
Model Contract and Specification Language
Others
- 2006 Edition, Best Practices Manual, Volume III, Criteria: Indoor Environmental Quality section, Collaborative for High-Performance Schools (CHPS)
- Indoor Air Quality Building Education and Assessment Model (I-BEAM), US EPA
