Talking Stick - November/December 2008 - (Page 25)

“The key to good indoor air quality is constant vigilance by all parts of the university.” When it comes to retrofitting HVAC systems in an older building, the process is not always simple, as Rupp cautions: “You can put new products into an old building. But you can’t put old products in a new building.” One problem with older buildings, Infelt says, is that floorto-floor heights do not give adequate clearance to run a forced air system, so retrofitting may require use of a terminal system such as fan coil units. Thorne is especially concerned about one potential problem in retrofitting older buildings: condensation may not go where it is supposed to go. With routine preventative maintenance, mechanical systems can run for years without any problems related to indoor air quality. For this reason, occupants won’t necessarily connect a health problem with the building’s interior environment. As Thorne comments, “Most people are oblivious to air quality. It is generally taken for granted. They expect that a building has excellent air quality and is free from odors.” He advises that institutions take complaints regarding air quality seriously. “Building staff must look into complaints and investigate any potential problem. Keep them posted and follow through on them. This builds good will and provides good public relations.” Though reports of Legionnaire’s Disease or sick building syndrome may no longer be newsworthy, the threat remains real. Circumstances beyond people’s control may affect indoor air quality in buildings, despite the best preventative maintenance. The recent hurricanes, for example, created enormous problems caused by flooding and excessive humidity. Infelt speaks of how both her head and heart reacted to these events; while her heart went out to those who were impacted by Hurricane Ike, her thoughts were more fitting of an engineer. While looking at the buildings with numerous broken windows on television, what she noticed was the longterm effects on the building’s interior environment: “The interiors are wet, the building now has no envelope, and there is no way to dehumidify the space. Air quality will be a problem in these buildings for a long time.” ts Von Stange is the director of university housing at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. E-mail: von-stange@uiowa.edu. Editor’s Note: This is the second installment in a series about indoor air quality. In the next issue, the focus will be on how natural disasters impact air quality. http://www.handytrac.com http://www.handytrac.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Talking Stick - November/December 2008

Talking Stick - November/December 2008 Contents Online Now Vision Just In Your ACUHO-I Transitions Res Life Facilities Business Special Focus Calendar Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places The Evolving Role of the Resident Advisor Conversations First Takes Reporting Out New Members Snapshot

Talking Stick - November/December 2008

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