San Diego State University
OP-3: Indoor Air Quality

SDSU addresses Indoor Air Quality through preventative maintenance, through building design and product selection, and by providing a mechanism for occupants to register complaints and request an area evaluation.

Work Control unit performs preventative scheduled maintenance on HVAC systems to maintain air quality. Occupants register complaints through work control. However, current policy does not provide for monitoring or auditing.

As a part of the California State University system SDSU takes part in the CSU Program for Environmental Responsibility (PER) which builds upon established processes within the CSU and acknowledges accepted sustainable practices. This program covers indoor air quality and provides guidelines for campuses.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is an influencing factor on occupant health, well-being, and productivity. To an extent, though, good IAQ is at odds with energy efficiency goals. By eliminating infiltration and reducing ventilation levels to the lowest allowable, energy efficiency increases but IAQ suffers. The CSU supports a balance between good IAQ and energy efficiency, first seeking passive means of maintaining good IAQ (material selection, contaminant control), then pursuing active ventilation strategies.
Strategies: Project teams shall provide indoor air quality to maintain occupant health and satisfaction by implementing the following strategies:
1. Meet the minimum California Title 24 ventilation requirements. Do not exceed the minimum requirements unless required for a specific application (e.g. make-up air for an exhaust system).
2. Provide demand control ventilation for all systems that serve a space with a design occupant density greater than or equal to 25 people per 1000 sf, including classrooms. This requirement applies to any system, regardless of whether it has an outdoor air economizer.
3. Filter all supply air with a minimum MERV 11 filter. Spaces that are normally not occupied, such as storage rooms, electrical rooms, or mechanical rooms, are exempt. For LEED projects, or in locations adjacent to particulate sources, such as freeways, industrial sites, or agricultural sites, use MERV 13 air filtration. Care should be taken in the selection of HVAC systems to ensure that fan motors have enough power to push air through a dirty filter. Smaller fans such as those contained in fan coil units or water source heat pumps require special attention.
4. Employ measures that keep outside contaminants out of the building, and that isolate potential contaminants located inside the building. Consider following LEED-NC requirements.
5. Specify materials that are certified to be low emitting. Consider following LEED-NC requirements.
6. Implement construction-phase IAQ measures, including duct protection, temporary ventilation, contaminant isolation, proper sequencing, and building flush-out. Consider following LEED-NC requirements.

Occupied building space reported is the assignable square footage of state and auxiliary operated and maintained space. Excludes student housing.