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  1. Air
  2. Direct source ventilation

Direct source ventilation

Features>Air>17. Direct source ventilation

17. Direct source ventilation

Indoor sources of pollution can be isolated. Cleaning closets can be a source of harmful chemical vapors, including VOCs linked to carcinogenic, reproductive and developmental issues. Copy rooms can be a source of ozone and particulate matter, which are associated with respiratory and cardiopulmonary diseases. Bathrooms can be a source of mold and mildew that release toxins associated with allergies, asthma and immune compromise.

This feature requires the isolation of indoor pollution sources in separate rooms or exhausted cabinets to minimize their effect on overall indoor air quality. Considerations to minimize risk of exposure include location and adjacency to occupied spaces and restricted access, while direct exhaust helps expel pollutants at the source.

Part 1: Pollution Isolation and Exhaust

All cleaning and chemical storage units, all areas containing copiers or printers more than 1 m [3 ft] tall and all bathrooms meet the following conditions:

a) Closed from adjacent spaces with self-closing doors and either deck-to-deck partitions or a continuous hard ceiling.
b) Exhausted so that all air is expelled rather than recirculated.
Part 2: Exhaust Hood Design Guidelines

The following requirements are met:

a) Canopy hoods have side panels, when allowable by local code.
b) Any canopy hood is located no further than 1.2 m [4 ft] from the top surface of the kitchen equipment below it.
c) Any non-canopy hood is located no further than 0.9 m [3 ft] from the top surface of the kitchen equipment below it.
d) Grease duct exhaust velocity is not less than 152.4 m/min [500 ft/min].
e) Exhaust outlet is at least 3 m [10 ft] horizontally from any outside air intakes or windows, when allowable by local code.
Part 3: Makeup air system design

The following requirements are met:

a) Makeup air system shall not reduce the effectiveness of the exhaust system.
b) Makeup air system is automatically controlled to start and run whenever the exhaust system is in operation.
c) Designed to supply makeup air that is at least 80% of the amount of exhausted air in the kitchen, when allowable by local code.
Part 9: Locker Rooms

Locker rooms, if present, must be ventilated in the following manner:

a) The return air is vented outdoors and not recirculated.
b) The ventilation rate is at least 1.33 Air Changes per Hour (ACH).

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell New Construction WELL Interiors
Part 1: Pollution Isolation and Exhaust - O O
Part 2: Exhaust Hood Design Guidelines - - -
Part 3: Makeup air system design - - -
Part 9: Locker Rooms - - -
Part 99: Kitchen Exhaust System - - -
Commercial Kitchen Education Multifamily Residential Retail
Part 1: Pollution Isolation and Exhaust O O O O
Part 2: Exhaust Hood Design Guidelines O - - -
Part 3: Makeup air system design O - - -
Part 9: Locker Rooms - O - -
Part 99: Kitchen Exhaust System - - - -

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Design)
Pollution Isolation and Exhaust 		MEP Spot Check
PART 2 ()
Exhaust Hood Design Guidelines 		MEP
PART 3 ()
Makeup air system design 		MEP
PART 9 (Design)
Locker Rooms 		MEP

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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.
17.1.b

USGBC's LEED v4: Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction EQ Credit: Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies requires no recirculation of air.
Features>Air>17. Direct source ventilation