This “Best Practices” session takes a strong lessons-learned approach that looks at the final success of achieving indoor air quality results within LBC’s thresholds through a series of failures and discoveries. The story will focus on information as it unfolded and attendees will be told this story in three phases that each include a presentation followed by a series of breakout sessions:
1. Design through first failed air test: Collaborative efforts of design and construction with air testing occurring right before and immediately following occupancy will be presented. These preliminary test results led to an “all is well” approach to occupant behavior and building operator policies. Air quality became a misguided non-issue during the first 9 months of the performance period. The 9-month post-occupancy air tests indicated failing results and began the quest for reasons to continued failing tests.
2. Second and third failed tests: We will next present what steps were taken by the design team, the building operators, the building occupants, engineers, and the testing agency as together, we took a 360-degree problem solving approach. During this trial and error phase, we explored various approaches to solving our air quality issues (some helped, some did not, some may have made it worse):
3. Further investigation, modifications, and passing tests. Finally, we will present how we discovered the true culprits and what steps were taken to achieve test results within LBC thresholds and become a Living Building with continued authenticity through ongoing monitoring and behavioral modifications.
This session is approved for the following continuing education credits:
- 1.25 LFA credits
- 1.25 AIA LU|HSW credits
