Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
It is widely reported by the technical community involved in indoor air evaluations that
the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers
(ASHRAE) has a standard of 1,000 ppm CO2 for indoor spaces. The Standard often
cited is ANSI/ASHRAE 62-1989 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality (which
has since been replaced by ANSI/ASHRAE 62-1999). However, this interpretation is
incorrect.
Background:
One of the best papers addressing this issue was prepared by Mike Schell and Dan Int-
Hout entitled Demand Control Ventilation Using CO2 published in the February, 2001,
ASHRAE Journal (copy attached as Attachment A). This article points out that CO2
has long been used as a basis for ventilation (providing fresh outdoor air to indoor
spaces) design and control. CO2 is a natural product of human respiration whose rate
can be predicted based on an occupants age and activity level. Beginning as early as
1916 (Mechanical Engineers Handbook by McGraw-Hill) and found in the New York
City Building Code of 1929, CO2 of 800 to 1,000 ppm and 1,000 ppm respectively were
recommended. However, the key point is that CO2 levels are good predictors or
surrogates for human emitted bioeffluents (i.e., odors) that are considered undesirable
for the overall human comfort inside conditioned spaces. Thus CO2 is a surrogate for
levels of other bioeffluents that cause odors that are likely to be viewed as unacceptable
by others in the space, not because of their presence as a direct health hazard.
It is helpful to review the basis for the 1,000 ppm CO2 as well as the language in the
ANSI/ASHRAE 62-1989 standard and Interpretation Documents from ASHRAE on this
matter.
Section 6.1.3: Human occupants produce carbon dioxide, water vapor, particulates,
biological aerosols, and other contaminants. Carbon dioxide
concentration has been widely used as an indicator of indoor air
quality. Comfort (odor) criteria are likely to be satisfied if the ventilation
rate is set so that 1000 ppm CO2 is not exceeded. In the event CO2 is
controlled by any method other than dilution, the effects of possible
elevation of other contaminants must be considered.
This last statement clearly defines the role of CO2 in the standard.
ASHRAE also produced a document entitled Interpretations for ASHRAE Standard 62-
1989 Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality that provided specific interpretations
of this standard. Two questions, and their responses, (see Attachment B) are directly
relevant to this current topic and confirm the last statement just discussed.
Q: June 26, 1995 The carbon dioxide level of 1000 ppm noted in 6.1.3 and 6.2
including Table 3 appears to be provided as a recommended guideline rather
than a mandatory requirement. Can the carbon dioxide level in a space ever
exceed the referenced value of 1000 ppm, and still remain in compliance with the
standard?
A similar series of questions on the topic were responded to on January 29, 1995:
Ms. Paolini, Manager of Health and Safety notes that.It is unclear what is meant by
the clause, ventilation rate is set so the 1000 ppm CO2 is not exceeded.
Q1: Is the 1000 ppm CO2 a ceiling value or a time weighted average value?
A1: The reference to 1000 ppm CO2 in Section 6.1.3 is only as a point of information.
This is not a requirement of ASHRAE 62-1989. Since it is not a requirement it is
neither a ceiling nor a time weighted average value. Rather, it can be considered
a target concentration level. Since comfort (odor) criteria are likely to be satisfied
when the CO2 does not exceed 1000 ppm the converse is also likely to be true,
i.e., when the CO2 level exceeds 1000 ppm, the comfort (odor) criteria may not
be satisfied.
Q2: If it is a time weighted average value, how are the CO2 test results to be
calculated and weighted?
Q3: Would CO2 levels measured only during room occupancy be used or CO2 levels
measured throughout the time period of ventilation system operation?
A3: CO2 levels should be measured during the time of occupancy. This is defined for
the classroom as the time between initial occupancy in the morning and
dismissal time for the students.
Again, these questions and answers suggest that the CO2 level of 1,000 ppm is a
guideline (surrogate for odors), not a standard.
One should note that the 1999 Standard has removed all mention of the 1,000 ppm
value from the Standard.
The current ASHRAE Standard Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
(ANSI/ASHRAE 62-1999) does not reference the term 1,000 ppm CO2.
The former ASHRAE Standard Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality
(ANSI/ASHRAE 62-1989) references the term 1,000 ppm CO2 as a surrogate for
where human bioeffluents (odors) may be at levels not acceptable for human
comfort. Further, this value of 1,000 is a guideline value only and not considered
a regulated standard.
Interpretation document questions and answers confirm this concept of the CO2
concentration of 1,000 ppm as a guideline level to be used as a surrogate for
odor causing compounds from human activity that may not be acceptable for
human comfort.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this document, please contact the
author at:
www.eesinc.cc