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BEAM P
LUS FOR
E
XISTING
B
UILDINGS
I
NDOOR
E
NVIRONMENTAL
Q
UALITY
(I
EQ
)
V
ERSION
1.2
I
EQ
8
I
NDOOR
S
OURCES OF
A
IR
P
OLLUTION
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 122
In the case of occupied/habitable rooms in air-conditioned/naturally
ventilated buildings the measurement of indoor air pollutants shall take
place whilst operating in the background ventilation mode, or where
there is no specific provision for background ventilation, with all windows
and doors closed.
Where access to premises is limited, e.g. due to the presence of tenants,
the onus shall be on the Client to demonstrate that measurements in
those areas that are accessible are representative of the building as a
whole.
Where it can be demonstrated that the identified pollutants are unlikely to
exceed the limits prescribed, and as determined from an appropriate
sample of measurements, the relevant credit(s) shall be awarded.
Where certification under the IAQ Certification scheme is current and
covers all parts of the building for which BEAM certification is being
sought then the credits shall be awarded.
B
ACKGROUND
This section deals with pollutants found in indoor air which are mainly
attributable to indoor sources, but excluding those from occupants or
their activities. In the case of occupied/habitable rooms in air-
conditioned/naturally ventilated buildings the concern is indoor air
pollutant from indoor sources whilst operating in the background
ventilation mode, i.e. all openings other than those provided for
background ventilation are ‘closed’.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) includes hundreds of chemical
compounds found in indoor environments from trace levels to levels that
can cause various symptoms such as eye and throat irritations,
respiratory problems, headaches, etc. Reactions can occur as a result of
exposure to a single sensitising dose or sequence of doses, even at low
levels. VOCs may enter from outdoors, but are more likely to be emitted
from building materials, finishes and furnishings, pesticides and cleaning
products.
Formaldehyde is a type of volatile organic compound which is separately
identified due to its abundance in many building materials, adhesives,
fabrics and carpets, etc. Formaldehyde is a suspected human
carcinogen, and in sufficiently high concentrations is known to cause
eye, nose and respiratory irritation and sensitisation. Since formaldehyde
is most likely to come from indoor sources, sampling should be carried
out in at least one representative zone of each type of occupied area.
Radon is a colourless radioactive gas that exhibits no taste or smell.
There is concern that exposure to elevated levels of radon indoors
increases the risk of lung cancer. Radon is mainly emitted from granite
and marble which are major building materials in Hong Kong. The
concentration of radon may accumulate to an unaccepted level in an
enclosed space without adequate ventilation. Choice of building
materials and surface coverings can have significant impact on emission
rates. Since outdoor radon infiltration is minimal. Radon and its
progenies are mainly generated indoors.