Construction pollution management

Proper design and selection of materials are important factors in creating healthy indoor air quality, yet this strategy can be compromised if equal care is not taken during construction to clear the space of dust, chemical vapors and other debris. Pollutants inadvertently introduced into the space will increase the likelihood of failing indoor air quality standards.

This feature, based on industry best practices, ensures that steps are taken to minimize the introduction of air pollutants during construction and to remove pollutant build-up before occupancy.

Part 1: Duct Protection

To prevent pollutants from entering the ventilation system, all ducts are either:

a) Sealed and protected from possible contamination during construction.

b) Vacuumed out prior to installing registers, grills and diffusers.

Part 2: Filter Replacement

To prevent pollutants from entering the air supply post-occupancy, if the ventilation system is operating during construction then the following requirement is met:

a) All filters are replaced prior to occupancy.

Part 3: VOC Adsorption Management

To prevent building materials from absorbing and later releasing VOCs emitted by other (source) materials during construction, the following requirements are met:

a) A secure area is designated to store and protect adsorptive materials including but not limited to carpets, acoustical ceiling panels, fabric wall coverings, insulation, upholstery and furnishings.

b) Adsorptive materials remain in original packaging (or otherwise sealed in polyethylene sheeting) and stored in designated secure area until they are installed.

c) Wet materials including but not limited to adhesives, wood preservatives and finishes, sealants, glazing compounds, paints and joint fillers are installed and allowed to fully cure, prior to installation of adsorptive materials.

d) Hard finishes requiring adhesive installation are installed and allowed to dry a minimum of 24 hours, prior to installation of absorptive materials.

Part 4: Construction Equipment

To reduce particulate matter emissions from both on-road and non-road diesel fueled vehicles and construction equipment, the following requirements are met:

a) All non-road diesel engine vehicles comply with the US EPA’s Tier 4 PM emissions standards or local equivalent when applicable. Engines may be retrofitted with verified technology (required to be US EPA or California Air Resources Board approved) as of the time the equipment is first placed on the jobsite.

b) All on-road diesel engine vehicles meet the requirements set forth in the US EPA model year 2007 on-road standards for PM, or local equivalent when applicable. Engines may be retrofitted with verified technology (required to be US EPA or California Air Resources Board approved) as of the time the equipment is first placed on the job site.

c) All equipment, vehicles and loading/unloading is located away from air intakes and operable openings of adjacent buildings when available.

Part 5: Dust Containment and Removal

The following procedures are followed during building construction:

a) All active areas of work are isolated from other spaces by sealed doorways or windows or through the use of temporary barriers.

b) Walk-off mats at entryways reduce the transfer of dirt and pollutants.

c) Saws and other tools use dust guards or collectors to capture generated dust.

d) Vacuum cleaners with HEPA-grade filters and brooms with sweeping compounds or wetting agents are used on a daily basis to keep the job site clean.

	Core & Shell	New Construction	WELL Interiors
Part 1: Duct Protection	P	P	P
Part 2: Filter Replacement	P	P	P
Part 3: VOC Adsorption Management	P	P	P
Part 4: Construction Equipment	P	P	-
Part 5: Dust Containment and Removal	P	P	P

	Commercial Kitchen	Education	Multifamily Residential	Retail
Part 1: Duct Protection	P	P	P	P
Part 2: Filter Replacement	-	P	P	P
Part 3: VOC Adsorption Management	-	-	P	P
Part 4: Construction Equipment	-	-	P	-
Part 5: Dust Containment and Removal	-	-	P	P

Verification Methods Matrix

	Letters of Assurance	Annotated Documents	On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol) Duct Protection	Contractor

Show Standard Citations

1

U.S. Green Building Council. LEED v4: Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction. Washington D.C.: U.S. Green Building Council; 2013: 37, 43-44, 542-43, 545, 541-552, 567, 605, 623, 645-53, 658-61, 682, 685-6, 723-4.
7.1.a	USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan requires the sealing of all ductwork, registers, diffusers, and returns when stored on site or not in service.
7.2.a	USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan requires the removal of all temporary filtration media and replacement with new filters before occupancy.
7.3.a	USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan requires protection of stored materials from moisture in dry conditions indoors, under cover, and off the ground or floor.
7.3.b	USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan requires protection of stored materials from moisture in dry conditions indoors, under cover, and off the ground or floor.
7.3.c	USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan requires wet materials to be installed and allowed to dry at minimum 24 hours prior to installation of absorptive materials.
7.5.a	USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan, Pathway Interruption requires sealing of doorways, windows, or tenting off areas as needed using temporary barriers, such as plastic separations.
7.5.b	USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan, Pathway Interruption requires provision of walk-off mats at entryways to reduce introduced dirt and pollutants.
7.5.c	USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan, Pathway Interruption requires use of dust guards and collectors on saws and other tools.
7.5.d	USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan, Housekeeping requires use of vacuum cleaners with high-efficiency particulate filters and sweeping compounds or wetting agents for dust control when sweeping.

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**U.S. Green Building Council. Pilot Credit 75: Clean Construction. http://www.usgbc.org/node/4810551?return=/credits/new-construction/v4/pilot-credits. Published 2013. Accessed October 18, 2014.**
7.4.a	USGBC's LEED v4 Pilot Credit 75: Clean Construction requires non-road diesel engine vehicles to comply with the US EPA's Tier 4 PM emissions standards or local equivalent when applicable.
7.4.b	USGBC's LEED v4 Pilot Credit 75: Clean Construction requires 95% of on-road diesel engine vehicles meet the requirements set forth in the US EPA model year 2007 on-road standards for PM, or local equivalent.
7.4.c	USGBC's LEED v4 Pilot Credit 75: Clean Construction requires all equipment, vehicles and loading/unloading to be located away from air intakes and operable openings of adjacent buildings.

This is a legacy version of the WELL Building Standard. Please check the latest version here.

07. Construction pollution management