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The
construction process is an exciting time for building owners, design
architects and engineers as the long-awaited building or renovation
begins to take form. The various phases of construction are also
a time when many problems arise related to IEQ and potentially
resultant litigation. New awareness of construction IEQ has begun
to catalyze prevention and betterment strategies that will work
for all involved parties if properly implemented.
Some
examples of IEQ risks
during
construction and renovation include:
- Outdoor contaminants
introduced through the building's HVAC
system and building envelope related to asphalt roofing fumes,
demolition particulate, carbon monoxide, and microbiological
disruption during excavation and demolition.
- Improper filtration,
barrier installation and pressure relationships between construction
areas and occupied spaces.
- Incorrect storage
of building materials prior to installation, e.g.,
ductwork stored outdoors exposed to moisture, particulate and
fungi.
- Indoor pollutant
sources generated from the construction processes such as VOCs
(volatile organic compounds) from adhesives, caulks, paints and
strippers, polyurethane, etc.
- Particulate generated
from floor sanding, concrete and wallboard demolition, and removal
and installation of mineral wood insulation.
- Installation of carpeting
and fleece surfaces before clearance sampling for acceptable VOC
and particulate levels, allowing the "sink" effect of contaminant
absorption.
- Installation of saturated
building materials that have not been
thoroughly dried.
- Trapped construction
debris.
- Installation inconsistent
with specifications (e.g., HVAC controls,
wall assemblies and perimeter drainage systems).
- Lack of HVAC system
cleaning upon completion of construction.
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