IAQ Monitoring Guide for Construction & Renovation
You're planning a large-scale renovation of an apartment complex you own. Modernizing bathrooms, replacing flooring, and upgrading the HVAC system are key parts of the plan. But you're worried about air contaminants from construction, and how they may affect residents and workers. Could indoor air quality (IAQ) monitoring help mitigate the risks?
Dust, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and moisture often increase during construction projects. These contaminants affect IAQ, especially in tight and enclosed spaces. In this guide, you'll learn how IAQ monitoring reduces liability exposure and protects occupants and workers during building construction projects.
The Usual Suspects: Common Pollutants on Construction Sites
Construction is a necessary part of any renovation or building project. It's the means to an end, resulting in a fresh space that welcomes new occupants or tenants. But the construction process introduces contaminants that may cause poor IAQ in commercial buildings, including:
PM2.5 Fine Particulates: These particles measure 2.5 micrometers or less. Common construction sources of PM2.5 particulates include diesel exhaust, spray paint mist, and dust from wall or concrete demolition.
PM10 Coarse Particulates: These particles measure up to 10 micrometers and are visible to the human eye. PM10 particulates arise from demolition activities, using power saws, and grinding materials like cement and gravel.
VOCs: These dangerous gases are released from common construction products, such as paint, aerosol sprays, and wood preservatives.
Moisture: Water, vapors, and high humidity contribute to the moisture levels of a construction project. High moisture environments facilitate mold and mildew growth, which can damage building materials and adversely impact health.
Since particulates and VOCs aren't always visible to the naked eye, you may not notice the signs of poor indoor air quality until it's already an issue. That's why a continuous IAQ monitoring system is so important. It tracks IAQ metrics in real time, alerting you when they reach unsafe levels.
Why Continuous IAQ Monitoring Beats Spot Testing
Spot checks are frequently used to test indoor air quality during construction. To conduct one, teams use a handheld device or standalone monitor to measure airborne particulates in an area. The device evaluates the data over a set period of time and returns the results.
While spot checks are a useful resource, they only evaluate IAQ at a specific point. They miss out on critical indoor air quality metrics before and afterward, when levels can swing wildly based on current construction activities. They're also expensive. Performing a spot check may require hiring contractors who have specialty equipment to do the job, sometimes repeatedly.
A better option? Implementing a continuous IAQ monitoring system as part of your construction air quality plan. Such systems track a space's indoor air quality 24/7, so you know when levels are safe or present hazards that can delay projects and affect occupants. Attune's building monitoring and intelligence platform does exactly that, collecting data from sensors and transforming it into clear insights. Our IAQ monitors guide explains how monitoring systems work and what they detect.
Using IAQ Data to Support Building Readiness and Sustainability Goals
It's in your best interest to demonstrate that a commercial property protects occupant health. Many owners do so by obtaining a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or WELL Building Standard certification. Among other factors, these programs evaluate a building's indoor air quality. A continuous IAQ monitoring system provides hard data that supports the certification process.
Indoor air quality monitoring best practices encourage facility teams to set an IAQ baseline before a renovation project begins. This requires several days of initial monitoring, which allows the system to set the initial IAQ parameters. The baseline defines the average metrics for VOCs, particulates, humidity, and temperature.
IAQ levels fluctuate during construction, but ongoing monitoring alerts you when they become hazardous. If levels get too high, you can introduce immediate fixes, such as improving ventilation, sealing off high-risk areas, or using dehumidifiers to dry up moisture.
When construction ends, continuous monitoring can tell you whether the building is ready for occupants. It confirms that IAQ levels are within regulatory guidelines. If the system detects problems, you can address them before tenants or occupants move in.
IAQ monitoring systems are critical for high-occupancy buildings such as multifamily complexes, schools, and commercial buildings. In a multifamily setting, systems can minimize tenant complaints during construction, improve building readiness, and support a smoother occupancy process. IAQ monitoring in schools protects students during phased renovation projects, verifying that classrooms and spaces remain environmentally safe.
Turn Monitoring Data Into Better Decisions
Real-time alerts from a continuous monitoring system tell you when indoor air quality merits a fix. Data informs building managers where issues are so they can make adjustments to the ventilation system and identify problems driven by failing HVAC components. Systems also provide valuable stakeholder reporting, which comes in handy if you decide to apply for a LEED or WELL certification.
Attune gives you the tools you need to protect your building and its occupants. Our building monitoring and intelligence platform collects sensor data and relays it into a dedicated dashboard, where your team can view insights into critical IAQ metrics. Using the data, they can make informed facility decisions to safeguard occupant health.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most important sensors for a construction site?
Air quality monitors rank among the most important. They track humidity, VOCs, and fine particulates, so you know whether the air is safe for workers and building occupants.
Does IAQ monitoring help with LEED certification?
IAQ monitoring is one tool that can help you obtain LEED certification for your building. It tracks indoor air quality over time, which can earn you points for the indoor environmental quality category.
How does construction dust affect HVAC systems?
Construction dust can clog air filters and build up in evaporator coils, damaging your HVAC system. After a renovation project, it's important to replace air filters and clean the coils to prevent system corrosion and mechanical failures.
Build Healthier Projects With Smarter IAQ Monitoring
Proactive and continuous IAQ monitoring alerts you to poor air quality that's hazardous for workers and occupants. It delivers value well after renovation ends, enabling you to track and act on unhealthy IAQ levels before they affect occupants.
Attune's indoor air quality monitoring platform supports your organization during and after construction projects. It's fully customizable, so you can add modules as your building expands. To explore our solutions, schedule a demo today.
