HVAC Systems and Indoor Air Quality - a PDH Online Course for Engineers

HVAC Systems and Indoor Air Quality

Course Outline

Good indoor air quality (IAQ) is an important component of a healthy environment. Good indoor air quality and thermal comfort are achieved, if the air contaminant levels are low, the building is well ventilated, and the temperature and humidity are controlled at comfortable levels.

Indoor air quality in a large building is the product of multiple influences, and this 4- hour course attempts to highlight the factors affecting IAQ and the approaches to solve the IAQ problems. This course is an extract from the published guidance of EPA [The US Environmental Protection Agency] and NIOSH [The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health], which is in public domain.

Readers are provided with 15 common problems and solutions that will help them establish and implement the most effective means to overcome their IAQ problems.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will be aware of:

Factors affecting indoor air quality
Sources of indoor air contaminants
Influence of HVAC design on indoor air quality
Common symptoms and complaints due to poor air quality
Source control of contaminants
Importance of adequate ventilation air
Air cleaning and filtration strategies
HVAC controls in maintaining IAQ
HVAC operation & maintenance guidelines
Administrative approach in control of airborne contaminants
Fifteen common IAQ problems and solutions
Evaluating success of the program

Intended Audience

This course is aimed at students, mechanical and HVAC engineers, architects, building designers, health & safety engineers, occupational physicians, industrial hygienists, and mechanical engineers, facility managers and general audience.

Course Introduction

Indoor air quality problems can be found in any building whether it is residential, commercial or institutional in design. The variety of unique features in the design of buildings and pattern of usage make a wide range of IAQ problems but overall they all share similar issues. Most indoor air quality problems are associated with four areas: moisture, ventilation (or lack thereof), construction and filtration.

Good indoor air quality and thermal comfort is achieved if the air contaminant levels are low, the building is well ventilated, and the temperature and humidity are controlled at comfortable levels. The HVAC systems must first be properly designed and installed, and then correctly operated and maintained if the goal of acceptable indoor air quality is to be achieved.

The course reviews the above criteria in detail and is followed by course summary and multiple - choice quiz at the end.

Course Content

You are required to study the following course content in PDF format:

HVAC Systems and Indoor Air Quality

APPENDIX B - HVAC Systems and Indoor Air Quality

Course Summary

A healthy indoor environment is one in which the surroundings contribute to productivity, comfort, and a sense of health and well being. The indoor air is free from significant levels of odors, dust and contaminants and circulates to prevent stuffiness without creating drafts.

The typical IAQ problems in buildings are moisture, airborne particles, lack of proper ventilation, odors and gases from materials, etc.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort are maintained by three major processes: 1) Contaminant source control; 2) Ventilation for IAQ and thermal comfort and; 3) Filtration of contaminants. The building occupants should be aware of the role of the HVAC system: ventilation rates, filters, sensors, air intakes and exhaust vents, heating and cooling coils, humidifier, fans, etc; and also the contaminant sources both from outside and generated indoors. Simple control methods can be used cost-effectively to greatly reduce the risk of developing an IAQ problem in buildings.

Improving the air tightness of buildings will reduce air leakage and cold drafts, and reduce energy use by improving the performance of ventilation systems. Sources of contamination should be minimized as much as possible either by using environmentally friendly furnishings, materials and products, or by exhausting the contaminants at the source. General ventilation should then be used.

Failure to respond promptly and effectively to IAQ problems can lead to potential health problems and potential liability problems. (Note: Insurance policies tend to exclude pollution-related claims)

Many indoor air quality problems are not difficult to correct and can be solved with in-house expertise. However, gathering relevant information about the problem and identifying appropriate corrective actions is likely to require a coordinated effort by people, skill and knowledge of the subject.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.