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April 2^nd, 2012 Dinner Presentation, Toronto + Hamilton Chapters

ASHRAE 62.1-2010

Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality

Hoy Bohanon, PE, BEAP, LEED AP

The April 2012 dinner meeting featured a presentation on the ASHRAE standard 62.1-2010 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. The presenter was Hoy Bohanon, P.E., LEED AP, BEAP.  Mr. Bohanon is an ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer and a member of the ASHRAE Standards committee. He received the ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Bohanon is the Director of Energy Programs for WorkingBuildings. WorkingBuildings offers services such as building commissioning and retro-commissioning, sustainability consulting, construction management, and laboratory compliance. Mr. Bohanon has worked on Smithsonian facilities, many US government General Services Administration (GSA) buildings, and the Charlotte Campus.

Hoy Bohanon began the presentation by tracing the historical changes in minimum ventilation rates for commercial buildings, from 30 cfm per person in the period from 1895 to 1922; to 15 cfm (7.5 L/s) in 1989. In the 2002 research report by Seppanen, Fisk, and Mendell, the data indicated that ventilation rates below 20 cfm should be avoided for occupant health and that there would be further improvement to occupant health with ventilation rates of up to 40 cfm per person. This variation in recommended minimum ventilation rates over the years can be explained by the competing concerns of ventilation for human health and of energy efficiency.

In 2006, the research report Effects of HVAC on Student Performance showed that air quality and classroom temperature had a large effect on student performance. Student mental speed increased roughly 14% as the outdoor air supply rate increased from 3 to 10 L/s per person. Student mental speed decreased roughly 13% as the classroom temperature increased from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.

In determining outdoor air quality, both Regional air quality and Local air quality must be determined. When the building is located in an area where the national standard for Particulate Matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) is exceeded, particulate matter filters shall have a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 11 or higher. Air-cleaning devices for ozone must remove at least 40% of the ozone.

Inside air is classified Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, or Class 4. Class 1 is air with low contaminant concentration, low sensory-irritation intensity, and inoffensive odour. Class 1 air may be recirculated or transferred to any space. Class 2 air is not necessarily harmful or objectionable, but is inappropriate for transfer to other spaces used for different purposes. Class 3 air may be recirculated within the space of origin, but shall not be recirculated or transferred to any other space. Class 4 air is so offensive or harmful that it shall not be recirculated or transferred to any space, nor recirculated within the space of origin. A table of Volatile Organic Compound contaminants is provided.

The designer must choose one of three Procedures: The Ventilation Rate Procedure; the IAQ Procedure (contaminant sources and concentration targets); and/or the Natural Ventilation Procedure. Most buildings which have natural ventilation are required to have mechanical ventilation as well, for when the windows are closed. It is understood that the intake airflow determined using each of these three approaches may differ significantly because of assumptions about the design.

It is important to do calculations for both winter and summer. Zone air distribution effectiveness (Ez); minimum primary airflow (Vpz); and total system airflows (Vps) may be different in heating and cooling seasons. For VAV system design purposes, zone ventilation efficiency (Evz) for each ventilation zone shall be found using the minimum expected zone primary airflow (Vpz) and using the highest expected system primary airflow (Vps) at the design condition. Appendix F gives the requirements for the separation of exhaust outlets and outdoor air intakes.

The breathing zone is the region between 3 and 72 inches above the floor and more than 2 feet from the walls or fixed air-conditioning equipment. Under variable conditions, breathing zone outdoor airflow in a zone may be reduced or reset (Demand Control Ventilation). Population counters, carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensors, timers, occupancy schedules or occupancy sensors are examples of reset methods. For the People Counter Method, there will be a minimum airflow when no one is in the room. Each person in the room adds to the required airflow. There is no current published method for using CO₂ for Demand Control Ventilation in multiple spaces. This is one of ASHRAE's research projects.

People spend much of their time inside commercial buildings or schools. It has been proven that proper ventilation is essential to health and affects mental ability. At the same time energy use to bring in fresh air, and to heat and cool it, must be taken into account. Therefore this state-of-the-art and carefully crafted standard is an important contribution to society of Hoy Bohanon and other dedicated HVAC professionals. The next publication of ASHRAE 62.1 is scheduled for 2013.

Anne-Marie Bundgard

Website & Gazette Committee Member

This is the last chapter viewpoint this society year as well as my last opportunity to extend my appreciation to the Toronto chapter for all the support given to me during my two years serving as a Society Vice President. This has to be one of the most satisfying activities in my long ASHRAE career.

As the current chair of the Publishing and Education Council, I wish to let you as chapter members, as cornerstones of Society, things that are available this year to assist you in better understanding our complex industry. I am sure you are all aware of the latest version of the Standard for Design High-Performance Green Buildings (189.1-2011). A recent Technical Breakfast session was held on this topic. The chapter has presented sessions on Standard 90.1 as well as many interesting chapter programs including Standard 62.1 this year. This was in support of our chapter president, Michael Khaws', theme for this chapter year.

Apparently there will be at least one submission for an ASHRAE Technology Award. This has not happened in a long time.

Probably one of our most successful events this year was the Career Fair held at Seneca College. There were approximately 1,000 participants and 20 employers involved.

As a current and future member of your Board of Governors, I truly would like to extend my congratulations and thank you to our Executive Committee. But let me add our success in no small part is attributable to the unstinting hours and efforts of all our committee chairs and members. I trust you have all been as impressed as I have been by the effort put forth by all active chapter members in 2011/2012 Society year.

I trust you all have a safe and enjoyable summer and look forward to seeing you in 2012/2013.

David Underwood

ASHRAE Toronto Chapter Members

The PAOE point total standings contuniue to look great for our Chapter.

Nearing the end of April 2012 you can see that we as a Chapter are still in First Place for our Region.

I would like to thank everyone for all of their efforts with all of the ASHRAE activities that earn us points for the Chapter.

If you would like to learn more about how your activities may count for some PAOE points for the Chapter please get in touch.

Thanks,

David Benedetti

President Elect