Construction pollution management

Proper design and material selection is essential in creating healthy indoor air quality. However, 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 can lead to various respiratory symptoms and will increase the likelihood of failing indoor air quality standards.

Part 1: Duct Protection

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

a.¹ 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, the following requirement is met:

a.¹ All filters are replaced prior to occupancy.

Part 3: VOC Absorption Management

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

a.¹ A secure area is designated to store and protect absorptive materials, including but not limited to carpets, acoustical ceiling panels, fabric wall coverings, insulation, upholstery and furnishings.

b. 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 absorptive materials.

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

Part 4: Dust Containment and Removal

The following procedures are followed during building construction:

a.¹ All active areas of work are isolated from other spaces by sealed doorways or windows or through the use of temporary barriers.

b.¹ Walk-off mats are used at entryways to reduce the transfer of dirt and pollutants.

c.¹ Saws and other tools use dust guards or collectors to capture generated dust.

Part 5: Moisture Absorption Management

To prevent building materials from absorbing water or moisture during construction, the following requirements are met:

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

	Core & Shell	New & Existing Buildings	New & Existing Interiors
Part 1: Duct Protection	P	P	P
Part 2: Filter Replacement	P	P	P
Part 3: VOC Absorption Management	P	P	P
Part 4: Dust Containment and Removal	P	P	P
Part 5: Moisture Absorption Management	P	P	P

	Commercial Kitchen	Education	Multifamily Residential	Restaurant	Retail
Part 1: Duct Protection	P	P	P	P	P
Part 2: Filter Replacement	P	P	P	P	P
Part 4: Dust Containment and Removal	P	P	P	P	P
Part 5: Moisture Absorption Management	P	P	P	P	P

Verification Methods Matrix

	Letters of Assurance	Annotated Documents	On-Site Checks
PART 1 (Protocol) Duct Protection	Contractor
PART 2 (Protocol) Filter Replacement	Contractor
PART 3 (Protocol) VOC Absorption Management	Contractor
PART 4 (Protocol) Dust Containment and Removal	Contractor
PART 5 (Protocol) Moisture Absorption Management	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, 541-552, 567, 605, 623, 645-53, 658-61, 682-3, 685-6, 723-4.
7.1.a	USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan requires adherence to certain SMACNA guidelines, including sealing all ductwork, registers, diffusers, and returns when stored on site or not in service.
7.2.a	USGBC's LEED v4 BD+C EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan requires the the replacement of all filtration media with new filters before occupancy.
7.3.a	USGBC's LEED v4 BD+C EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan requires that absorptive materials stored on-site and installed are protected from moisture damage.
7.4.a	USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan requires adherence to certain SMACNA guidelines, including sealing doorways and windows, or tenting off areas as needed using temporary barriers, such as plastic separations.
7.4.b	USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan requires adherence to certain SMACNA guidelines, including the provision of walk-off mats at entryways to reduce introduced dirt and pollutants.
7.4.c	USGBC's LEED v4 EQ Credit: Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan requires adherence to certain SMACNA guidelines, including the use of dust guards and collectors on saws and other tools.

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