The 4 Most Important Indoor Air Quality Standards in Europe

What are the main Indoor Air Quality Standards in Europe?

The quality of indoor air has a significant impact on the health and well-being of building occupants. As you know, poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can lead to respiratory problems, allergies, headaches, and fatigue, among other health concerns. But also, poor levels of IAQ can have a negative effect on your buildings and facilities.

This is why, in Europe, there are several guidelines and standards in place to ensure that buildings provide a healthy indoor environment. In this article, we will focus on the four most important indoor air quality standards in Europe and their requirements.

1. OSHA Indoor Air Quality Standard (29 CFR 1910.94)

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits on certain contaminants in indoor air, such as asbestos, lead, and carbon monoxide. Employers must ensure that their workers are not exposed to levels of these substances that exceed the permissible exposure limits.

For example, according to the OSHA Standard, the exposure limit to asbestos, lead and carbon monoxide are as follows:

• Asbestos: Time-weighted average (TWA) of 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter (f/cc) for an 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek
• Lead: TWA of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³) of air for an 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek
• Carbon monoxide: TWA of 50 parts per million (ppm) for an 8-hour workday and a 40-hour workweek.

This standard also requires employers to monitor the air quality in their buildings and take measures to control any harmful contaminants. 

2. ASHRAE Standard 62.1

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 62.1 provides guidelines for ventilation rates in commercial and institutional buildings. It recommends minimum outdoor air supply rates based on the number of occupants, the type of space, and the activities taking place in the building.

For example,

• For office spaces with a typical occupancy* the recommended ventilation rate for office spaces according to ASHRAE Standard 62.1 is 30 cubic meters per hour per person (or approximately 18 cubic feet per minute per person).
• For conference rooms, the recommended rate is 34 cubic meters per hour per person (or approximately 20 cubic feet per minute per person).

The rates vary depending on the type of space, number of occupants, and activities taking place in the building. This standard also requires buildings to have a ventilation system that delivers outdoor air to each occupied space.

* This is based on the assumption of a typical occupancy level of one person per 10 square meters of floor space.

3. EPA Indoor Air Quality Guidelines

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides guidelines for maintaining good indoor air quality, including controlling sources of pollution, improving ventilation, and using air cleaners and filtration systems.

The guidelines recommend regular maintenance of HVAC systems, proper storage and disposal of chemicals, and elimination of sources of moisture. For this, the EPA recommends maintaining indoor humidity levels between 30% and 60% to prevent the growth of mold and other biological pollutants. 

4. LEED Indoor Environmental Quality Credits

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program includes credits related to indoor environmental quality, such as indoor air quality management and ventilation. To achieve these credits, buildings must meet certain requirements related to ventilation rates, air filtration, and monitoring of indoor air quality.

For example, in order to achieve the LEED indoor environmental quality credits, buildings would require to:

• Meet or exceed ASHRAE Standard 62.1 for ventilation rates (see above).
• Use air filtration systems that meet or exceed MERV 13 or higher.
• Monitor indoor air quality using a monitoring system.
• Implement a comprehensive indoor air quality management plan.
• Conduct a post-occupancy survey to assess occupant comfort and satisfaction.

Facility managers should stay up-to-date on the regulations and standards that apply to their buildings and take measures to ensure compliance. This may include implementing an indoor air quality monitoring program, conducting regular inspections and maintenance of HVAC systems, and communicating with tenants and building occupants about indoor air quality issues.

Take a look at our ongoing monitoring solutions or our one-off indoor air quality check to discover how we can help you comply with local regulations, or get in touch for a (free!) consultation.