scope:

Scope of Requirements

The standard addresses more than just outdoor air ventilation rates. Chapter 5 has requirements for the HVAC systems and equipment, Chapter 7 addresses construction, commissioning, and system startup; and Chapter 8 addresses maintenance and operation.

Purpose

Overview

Standard 62.1 sets minimum outdoor air ventilation rates and requires other measures intended to provide indoor air quality that is both acceptable to human occupants and minimizes negative effects on health.

Both occupant perception and health issues affect the acceptability of indoor air quality. Therefore, both are relevant to this Standard. Thermal comfort is not considered since it is covered in ASHRAE Standard 55. Furthermore, the purpose of Standard 62.1 is broader than minimum ventilation rates, encompassing such subjects as moisture control, control of certain contaminant sources, maintenance, and air cleaning.

Indeed, the impact of indoor air quality on health, stated broadly in the Purpose of Standard 62.1, is addressed in a number of ASHRAE documents. It remains an important factor in the development and implementation of standards and guidelines that benefit the general public.¹

1 Ad Hoc Committee on Health Impacts in Standards, Report to the Board of Directors, February 6, 2000.