Building Air Quality Basics
Course Description
Indoor air quality refers to the condition of the air inside buildings and how it affects the occupants. Good IAQ is essential for maintaining health, comfort, and productivity, whereas poor IAQ can result in a range of health issues, including respiratory diseases, headaches, fatigue, and allergic reactions. In modern buildings, balancing energy efficiency with adequate air quality presents a significant challenge. Regulatory frameworks such as ASHRAE standards and WHO guidelines provide recommended limits for pollutants. Environmental engineers and building managers play a crucial role in assessing, monitoring, and managing IAQ to ensure compliance with these standards while protecting occupant health.
What you'll learn in this course?
Understand the fundamental concepts of indoor air quality (IAQ) and its importance in building environments.
Identify common indoor air pollutants and their sources.
Recognize the health impacts associated with poor IAQ.
Describe methods for measuring and monitoring IAQ.
Understand ventilation, filtration, and building design strategies for maintaining good IAQ.
Apply basic risk assessment and mitigation techniques in building environments.
Review case studies demonstrating IAQ management in buildings.
Prerequisites
Basic understanding of environmental health, buildings, and HVAC systems
Familiarity with air-quality terminology is helpful
Course Curriculum
- Introduction to Building Air Quality
- Importance of Indoor Air Quality
- Key Indoor Air Pollutants
- Sources of Indoor Air Pollutants
- Factors Affecting IAQ
- Health Impacts of Poor IAQ
- Measurement of Indoor Air Quality
- Air Quality Indices and Standards
- Ventilation Strategies
- Filtration and Air Cleaning
- Humidity and Temperature Control
- Building Design Considerations for IAQ
- Indoor Air Quality Risk Assessment
- IAQ Maintenance and Operations
- Case Study 1: Office Building IAQ Improvement
- Case Study 2: School IAQ Management
- Emerging Technologies in IAQ
- Indoor Plants and Air Quality
- Regulations and Standards
- Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
- Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Plan
- Common IAQ Challenges
- Mitigation Strategies
- Occupant Engagement and IAQ Awareness
- IAQ Management Best Practices
- Summary
- Building Air Quality: Basics (10 minutes)