As the green building sector continues to grow, more and more building owners and operators are seeking the benefits of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification for their buildings.


By committing to a LEED design and certification, building owners and operators are seeing the benefits of reduced operating costs, improving the quality of their building and the building's impact on the environment, enhanced occupancy productivity and marketability of the building.

Indoor Air Quality is an integral factor in the LEED rating system. The intent of the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Plan is to prevent air quality problems resulting from the construction or renovation and to promote the comfort and well being of construction workers and building occupants. One such credit within the IAQ section of the LEED rating system includes the New Construction (LEED-NC) EQ Credit 3.2, Construction IAQ Management Plan Before Occupancy. This credit seeks to recognize post construction practices that ensures excellent indoor air quality during occupancy and has two (2) options to qualify for the credit.

Option 1 : Flush-Out

After construction ends, prior to occupancy and with all interior finished installed, install new filtration media and perform a building flush out. A total air volume of 14,000 cubic feet of outdoor air per square foot of floor area must be supplied, while maintaining an internal temperature of at least 60 degrees F and relative humidity no higher than 60 %.

Option 2 : Indoor Air Quality Testing

Conduct baseline IAQ testing, after construction ends and prior to occupancy, using protocols consistent with the EPA Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Air Pollutants and Indoor Air. Testing must be conducted to demonstrate maximum concentrations of the individual contaminants listed below are not exceeded within the indoor environment under LEED specified testing parameters.

IAQ Consultants, Inc. provides Certification testing for LEED-NC EQ Credit 3.2. Our Certified IAQ Professionals will determine the most efficacious and cost efficient sampling strategy required to achieve the LEED-NC EQ Credit 3.2 accreditation for each individual job site. IAQ Consultants, Inc. has worked with numerous construction and architectural firms to conduct IAQ testing for accreditation. Please call for a list of representative projects all conducted in accordance with the US EPA Compendium of Methods for the Determination of Air Pollutants in Indoor Air.

Visit the LEED website for additional information and tools regarding the LEED certification process and requirements (www.leedbuilding.org or www.usgbc.org).