What Work Can Be Done During a Building Flush-Out?
ByOption 1a of NC 2.2 Credit EQ 3.2 requires supplying 14,000 cu. ft. of outdoor air per square foot of a building’s floor area. If you select this option, the good news is that you won’t have to complete IAQ testing (option 2) and run the risk of having to do the flush-out anyway or manage occupant interference and comfort (option 1b - flush-out with early occupancy). The bad news is that you could be looking at up to two weeks for the flush-out to complete and seriously limited as to the kind of work you can do in the building during the process.
A construction project coming to a standstill for two weeks is every contractor’s nightmare. So, the question now is, “What work can actually be done during this two week period?” The answer is, unfortunately, very little.
No absorbent materials (furniture, workstations, etc) can be moved into the space and no punch list items involving materials or supplies containing VOC’s of any amount can be completed.
What’s left? Commissioning, and a limited amount of it. Assuming that the building HVAC system would be constantly operating, it clearly can’t be commissioned. That leaves lighting systems, life/safety and building envelope. Additionally, if actual measurements are going to be taken for EQ 8.1 (daylighting) this is as good a time as any to do them.
If you have additional work items that you think worthy of mention, please post them as a comment to this entry.
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1 Comments
July 6th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
There was a CIR ruling that seems to allow furniture move in during the flush out period (see below). It is for Leed v2.0 and 2.1. Nothing in the new Leed v2.2 has negated this ruling. What is your opinion on this? Thanks.
2/8/2005 - Credit Interpretation Request
We are planning on performing a 2 week building flush out as required by EQ cr3.2. Due to schedule constraints, it would be helpful if the Owner were allowed to set up used, moveable office partitions, and install new auditorium seating during the flush out period. The used, moveable office partitions are from another building, and have, theoretically, already off-gased. Would it be acceptable to perform one or both of these operations during flush out?
3/7/2005 - Ruling
Several CIRs have addressed this issue, including CIR ruling 12/21/2004, “Note that LEED-NC prefers, but does not require, the flush to occur before furniture installation.” The proposed furniture installation schedule, though not recommended, would still be acceptable under this credit.