Recommendations

Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical Equipment

Properly insulate pipes to prevent condensation, especially within walls.

Use modeling software to determine airflow and to ensure isolation of pollutant sources and adequate ventilation.

Ventilate areas occupied by people with chemical sensitivities with goal of eliminating odors (ideally entire building). These ventilation rates meet or exceed all worldwide standards. (Reference 4)

Provide local control of temperature and airflow (ideally for every occupant). (Reference 5)

Utilize Displacement Air Distribution method to move pollutants away from occupants.

Dedicate building as Smoke-Free. (Reference 6)

Isolate mechanical equipment from occupied areas.

Provide direct exhaust from rooms and areas that have pollutant-generating sources or activities. These include but are not limited to: (see Appendix 5)

Bathrooms (code requirement).
Kitchens or office kitchenettes (this is in addition to code-required hoods or stove exhausts).
Copy and print rooms.
Computer rooms.

Ductwork

Avoid insulation inside ductwork. Use external insulation wrap of non-friable (airborne particle creating) material.
Oil coatings used in fabrication of sheet metal stock can affect air quality. Prior to installation, thoroughly clean ductwork with a low VOC product. Use methods that do not leave residue or cause oxidation. (Reference 7)

Prohibit the use of fragrances and disinfectants in air distribution systems.

Maintain relative humidity between 30%-50%.

Locate outside air louvers away from pollutant sources.

Filtration (Reference 8)

Carbon and HEPA filters are preferred.
Avoid ozone generating air-purification systems.
Avoid electrostatic air cleaning due to ozone.

In renovation work, re-evaluate HVAC system performance to ensure that original design standards are met.

Shield occupants from internal EMF. Design electrical systems to minimize EMF. Maximum recommended magnetic field levels of 2.5 milligauss (preferably 1 milligauss in occupied areas) and as low as technically achievable in areas to be occupied by people with sensitivities.

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