INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

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Americans spend on average 90% of their time indoors. Designing, building and operating buildings that achieve high indoor environmental quality can enhance building occupant’s health, well-being, comfort and productivity.

Air Quality

  • The Library is a non-smoking building and is designed to meet ASHRAE Standard 62-1999 which establishes minimum ventilation rates and indoor air quality (IAQ) levels to reduce the potential for adverse health effects.

  • During the construction of the Library practices were incorporated that promote indoor air quality long after the building construction is complete. Materials were protected from moisture to reduce the risk of mold development. Mechanical systems and ductwork were protected to reduce the introduction of contaminants and debris, which could later cause indoor air quality issues. The building was kept clean during construction to reduce the introduction of contaminates within the building interior and envelope.

  • The building was flushed out for two weeks after construction and prior to occupancy to evacuate airborne contaminants.

  • Many building materials and finishes contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) which off-gas and can be odorous, potentially irritating and harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants. The Library incorporates low-VOC and no-VOC alternatives to materials that typically have high VOC content such as adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, carpet and composite woods.

Thermal Comfort

  • Successful green buildings reduce energy and water use while enhancing the quality of the interior environment for occupant health and comfort. The Library does not sacrifice thermal comfort in its pursuit to be highly energy efficient. The Library is designed to meet ASHRAE Standard 55 for thermal comfort conditions for occupants.