Indoor Air Quality

Building Investigation Qualifications

GEOMET has been a leader in the development of IAQ diagnostic and measurement procedures throughout the 80's and 90's. We also have broad experience in designing survey instruments and developing protocols for their administration. We have designed instruments for studies in residences, schools, hospitals, and various types of office buildings, and have been active in various ASTM committees. Our staff have reviewed and commented on various draft methods and have been the primary authors of a number of standard guides, practices, or methods. Protocols, documentation forms and checklists have been developed for characterization of a wide range of large-building and residential situations and systems.

A key element of any diagnostic protocol is the comprehensive inventory of pollutant sources in and around the building under investigation. Such inventories address potential sources in the building, in adjacent spaces (e.g., attached garages, crawl spaces), and outdoors (including adjacent or nearby sources such as freeways and manufacturing facilities). In addition to designing the forms necessary to collect the source information, we can develop protocols for collection of such information. For example, protocols have been developed for inspections to identify mold growth in HVAC systems, bathrooms, basements, and crawl spaces. The diagnostic protocols have many things in common, including:

• Structure/systems/site characterization using a standardized environmental inventory questionnaire;
• Pollutant source inventory with data recorded on a standardized form;
• Occupant information using a standardized questionnaire;
• HVAC system characterization and performance measurements - documenting the specifications of the systems and results of comprehensive visual inspections of all components of the systems (filters, coils, blowers, ductwork, etc.); and
• Basic measurements such as temperature, relative humidity, and CO/CO2.

Recently, a corporate client in the Virgin Islands asked GEOMET to provide assistance in assessing the extent of mold and mildew problems in their on-site housing facilities. Such problems are not atypical in the humid climate characteristic of that geographic area. The request was prompted by visual signs of contamination coupled with health-related complaints from some of the occupants. GEOMET staff conducted visual inspections at a representative cross-section of houses and collected bacteria/fungi samples for laboratory analysis, using a four-plate protocol. Based on the pattern of observations and measurements from the weeklong field investigation, alternatives for remedial efforts were provided, focusing especially on singlewide mobile homes where the problems appeared to be most prevalent. Another investigation for the same client focused on biological contamination in a neighboring school.

GEOMET provides a diverse background of professional design, operations, testing, and analytical skills needed to evaluate the effects of ventilation in all aspects of the life cycle of a building. We have been actively involved in research involving ventilation measurements for many years, including use of tracer-gas decay methods to measure air exchange rates. The diversity and complexity of HVAC systems in study buildings has required that field team members have a comprehensive understanding of ventilation systems, their components, and the effect of system configuration and operation on air flow, mixing, and potential backdrafting.

GEOMET has conducted a number of conventional P2 (Pollution Prevention) studies that have resulted in opportunity assessments for reducing indoor air pollution and exposure potential. Many of these studies have been prepared for DOD facilities including the Defense Supply Center in Richmond, VA, and Air Force bases around the country. These studies go beyond standard P2 efforts in that they look at pollution reduction in all areas including exposure reduction, energy reduction and cost savings/reduction.

Building Investigation Program

Indoor Air Quality Modeling and Exposure Assessment