Building Codes and Indoor Air Quality

Building Codes and Indoor Air Quality Prepared by David H. Mudarri The Cadmus Group Arlington, VA. September, 2010. Prepared for: Environmental protection Agency Office of Radiation and Indoor Air Indoor Environments Division Note: This report presents the findings, recommendations and views of its author and not necessarily those of the Environmental protection Agency. 1. Forward The following is the charge provided as the basis for this paper Background: Some states have already updated their Building Codes to foster improved energy efficiency of residences and other buildings and there is increasing pressure for others to do so. Conservation-minded Building Codes have the potential to reduce naturally occurring air exchange for buildings by tightening the envelope and reducing pressurization of unconditioned spaces ( duct sealing). Indoor moisture, altered airflows, lowered air exchange all have the potential for increasing occupant risk of exposures to Indoor generated contaminants.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has commercial and residential energy codes based on ASHRAE Standards 90.1 and 90.2 respectively. Some states, (e.g. Florida and California) have developed and adopted their own energy codes. Table 1 lists the model energy codes used by states in decreasing order of their frequency of use.

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