Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality

This chapter discusses the ventilation and indoor air quality. It deals with the reasons for ventilating buildings and the process of choosing ventilation rates for specific situations. The chapter lists and gives examples of the four types of indoor air contaminants and describes the three methods of maintaining indoor air quality. The reader is sure to understand the criteria for filter selection along with the main concepts of ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2004 ventilation rate procedure and how it differs from ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2001. It discusses the factor of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) that affects comfort and activity. The maintenance of indoor air quality is one of the major objectives of air-conditioning systems because IAQ problems are a significant threat to health and productivity. The primary factors that influence and degrade IAQ are particles, gases, and vapors in the air. Maintenance of good indoor air quality is a significant issue to both the HVAC design engineer and to those who maintain the system subsequent to its design and installation. It deals with the reasons for ventilating buildings, how ventilation rates are chosen for specific situations, and the how to determine and maintain good indoor air quality, IAQ.