BEAM Plus New Buildings

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BEAM PLUS FOR NEW B UILDINGS INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (IEQ)
V ERSION 1.2
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 137
Plus considers buildings as follows:
 Air-conditioned Buildings;
 Air-conditioned / Naturally Ventilated Buildings; and
 Mechanically Ventilated Buildings.
AIR-CONDITIONED
BUILDINGS
Thermal comfort conditions and ventilation in air-conditioned
buildings/premises which are designed on the principle of ‘build tight,
ventilate right’ are intended to be controlled within prescribed design
limits. The thermal comfort criteria used for the design, such as ISO 7730
[2], ASHRAE 55 [3] etc, will be defined by the Client appropriate to the
type and use of the premises included in the development, and is a basic
performance specification.
BEAM Plus takes into account the Government’s Indoor Air Quality
Certification Scheme [4], as implementation of the Scheme can have a
significant impact on the performance of air-conditioned buildings
through improved design, construction, and operating practices.
AIR-CONDITIONED/
NATURALLY
VENTILATED BUILDINGS
In buildings/premises with operable windows or other ventilation
openings, the extent to which natural ventilation is utilised for cooling will
be dependent on user preference. Besides the prevailing climatic
conditions, this is likely to be influenced by the level of outside air
pollution and noise. Thermal comfort conditions in air-conditioned areas
will depend on user preference, which can be satisfied by providing the
proper size and installation of air-conditioning units to meet the required
cooling load. Consideration of thermal comfort and IAQ in
occupied/habitable rooms need to take into account the following
conditions: when premises are air-conditioned or ‘closed’ because of
cold or inclement weather; and when more ‘open’ to take advantage of
natural ventilation. Consideration is given to worst case scenarios that
might impact the health of building users.
6.P PREREQUISITE IEQ P1 M INIMUM VENTILATION PERFORMANCE
BACKGROUND This requirement ensures that ventilation systems of the air-conditioned
premises have been designed according to recognised procedures to
provide a minimum ventilation rate of sufficient quality and quantity.
6.1 SECURITY IEQ 1 SECURITY
BACKGROUND Provisions for security are considered to enhance the building
performance and are considered here as credits.
6.2 HYGIENE IEQ 2 PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE
IEQ 3 BIOLOGICAL CONTAMINATION
IEQ 4 WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES
BACKGROUND Post-SARS has seen a lot more attention to building hygiene. Clearly,
certain features of building and building services design, e.g. plumbing
and drainage systems, are likely to contribute to health problems. Proper
provisions for inspection, cleaning and maintenance allows for
comprehensive management of hygiene in buildings.
2 International Organization for Standardization. International standard 7730, Moderate thermal environments –
Determination of the PMV and PPD indices and specification of the conditions for thermal comfort. Geneva 1995.
3 American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers. ASHRAE 55-2007: Thermal Environmental
Conditions for Human Occupancy. Atlanta 2007.
4 Indoor Air Quality Management Group. A Guide on Indoor Air Quality Certification Scheme for Offices and Public Places.