How do ventilation standards and building codes help protect against indoor air quality related problems?
After achieving industry consensus in 1989, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) published its “Standard 62-1989: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality.” This is a voluntary standard for “minimum ventilation rates and indoor air quality that will be acceptable to human occupants and are intended to avoid adverse health effects.” This standard applies to all types of facilities, including dry cleaners, laundries, hotels, dormitories, retail stores, sports and amusement facilities, and teaching, convalescent and correctional facilities. The specified rates at which outdoor air must be supplied to each room within the facility range from 15 to 60 cfm/person, depending on the activities that normally occur in that room.
