How Can I Maintain Acceptable Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) During Construction and Renovation Projects? Part 2

The Means:

Initial Planning & Assessment: 

This should be the initial stage of any construction or renovation project, thus the title. During this phase, a specific plan to identify and control known, suspect, or potential environmental stressors is developed that includes: (1) the identification and qualifications of key personnel responsible for addressing construction or renovation activities and airborne contaminant identification and control, as well as other personnel such as building owners and managers, engineers, and subcontractors, (2) indoor environmental consultants perform hazard assessments (i.e., determine the indoor environmental quality prior to construction or renovation), (3) impact assessments are developed describing anticipated work activities and their associated air contaminants, generation points, and potential areas impacted by those contaminants, (4) and a detailed plan and budget for contamination controls are generated. When contamination is present prior to construction, the indoor environmental consultant should provide a detailed protocol (i.e., corrective action plan) in their report and on-going follow-up communication to materially interested parties.

Review of Options & Development of the Construction Plan: 

Whether the initial phase determines preliminary contamination or the possibility of contamination during construction, the review of control and procedural options should be discussed by all materially interested parties. The idea is to assure that all materially interested parties understand the needs of the job, are clear on the options and their cost-benefit analysis, agree on a strategy to address tasks, building configures, and indoor- and outdoor- generated contaminants. 

Quality Controls During Construction: 

The assessments, communications, and strategizing don’t stop once construction starts. Competent personnel should have authority to provide ongoing determinations of how the plan is working during construction activities; for example, occupational safety and health laws dictate that a safety professional evaluate the workplace to assure none of the construction activities create an environment where the initial Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is no longer effective. While knowing this need up front may provide for a credible construction plan, no one can anticipate all hazards; for example, often mold isn’t discovered until after demolition begins – especially if that mold is a result of a past water incident inside a wall or ceiling cavity. Having a competent person on-site during the construction phase assures that such contamination is observed, communicated, and follow-up measures are made sufficient to provide for the safety and health of all materially interested parties. 

Quality Controls After Construction: 

Sometimes the indoor environmental consultant and engineers are called upon to assure construction was successful in achieving all goals and regulations and haven’t created poor IEQ prior to normal building occupancy and use. It is my professional opinion that this should be understood prior to construction and re-evaluated during construction to assure all materially interested parties that the end-product meets all regulatory and other goals.