Mansel A Nelson Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals Visual Inspections and Occupants Role and Education of Occupants

Presentation A Balancing Act Sensitivities The 3 Ls Visual Inspection (Look) Source Reduction Ventilation Air Cleaning Special Needs

Balancing Act nau.edu/iaqtc

Sensitivities Privacy Human Subjects Be careful about health data Some tribes require IRBs Watch the gossip nau.edu/iaqtc

Three Ls Look Listen to Occupants Learn and Teach nau.edu/iaqtc

Visual Inspection Purpose: Get Lay of the land of house and how it is operated Basic building characteristics Determining what measurements to make and where Look for visual clues Provides the foundation to interpret measurements

Building Characteristics Vital Organs Foundation Wall construction Attic General Condition Safety hazards Insulation Sealing Windows & Doors 7

Floor Plan / Site Plan Helps to diagram the layout of the structure and Components Identify Rooms Reference for later recall Location of equipment (e.g. HVAC) Location of observed problems Useful for annotating where measurements are made Basis for calculations (area, volume) 8

Exterior Walk Around Orientation Exterior dimensions Construction type, obvious additions Ground Contact – Where & How house interfaces with ground Site Drainage General Condition – State of maintenance, obvious need for repairs Signs of water damage or leakage Type and condition of roofing Shading Record observations with Completed Form / Notes Photos / noted in form Floor Plan (one each occupied floor)

Building Envelope Walls Floors and Basements Ceilings and Attics Doors and Windows Overall Heat Loss Air Leakage 10

Walls Type of construction Insulation Thickness / R value Type Penetrations and sealing

Windows and doors Inventory Type Thermal breaks Exposure U rating Sealing

Floors & Ceilings Type Finish Insulation Penetrations & Sealing

Basement / Crawlspace Inspection Determine insulation level & placement Conditioned ? Directly Indirectly Ducts and vents Joints and Penetrations To Soil To Living Area Drainage Sealing Traps Venting Vapor Barrier Indication of water/water damage

Slab inspection Presence of exterior (footer) insulation Interior joints penetrations Sealing Smoke test

Attic Inspection Type Presence of Knee walls / Inaccessible voids Attached garages Exhaust vents Attic Venting Natural vents Attic fans Sealed / Unvented Chases Sealing /Barriers to Living Space Access Door seals Penetrations Insulation Location, Type and R value Radiant barrier Gaps and Voids Evidence of moisture / moisture damage

Attached Garage Smoke test at door to living area Air barrier Storage Water heater / Appliances

HVAC & Duct Systems Inspection Heating Cooling Ductwork Portable Devices Thermostats Duct Type and Characteristics Duct Leakage Ductwork design, installation, sealing Filter location, type, condition System Inspection Cleanliness Condensate pan and drainage 18

Inspect for Moisture Problems Rain Water Leaks Flooding Damp Soil High Water Table Plumbing Leaks Sewage Backups Cold Surface Condensation Cooling Systems

Fire & Combustion Safety Check for presence and operability of: Smoke Detector / Alarm CO monitor / Alarm Electrical Open boxes Damaged wiring Overloaded circuits Clear exits Unsafe storage of flammables Fireproof clearance around combustion devices 20

Maintain stoves and flues EPA Certified stoves preferred Consider switching to propane

Lighting and Appliances Inventory Energy Star Other fixtures and lamps Appliances 22

Occupant Roles and Issues Operate the home systems Maintain the home Cleaning the home Storage of chemicals in the home Activities in the home Listen to the Occupant Teach the Occupant

1. Source Control 2. Ventilation 3. Air Cleaning Source Control becomes even more important as you tighten a home through weatherization activities.

TVs & Computers Personal Care/Cosmetics Cleaning Products & Pesticides Flooring Furniture Carpeting Furniture Automobile Radon Lead Asbestos

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) No risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke Following actions DO NOT protect nonsmokers Separating smokers from nonsmokers Cleaning the air Ventilating buildings

Cleaners and Air Fresheners Average US household uses 40 lbs. of chemicals each year Average household stores more than 60 hazardous products Many of the products are loaded with fragrances and petroleum-distilled chemicals (Volatile Organic Compounds / VOCs)

Identifying Safer Products Third-party certified Green Seal EcoLogo EPA s Design for the Environment

DO NOT clean the air They add more air pollutants

Read and follow label instructions IPM preferred

Vacuuming Vacuuming can re-suspend particles Consider HEPA Vacuum HEPA Fireplace Vacuum

Basic Principles 1. Source Control 2. Ventilation 3. Air Cleaning

Source Ventilation Excess moisture in bathroom can lead to mold

Gas stoves release low CO and lots of moisture Cooking releases moisture Make sure range hood vents to outside

Ventilation ASHRAEs residential ventilation standard (Standard 62.2) sets the minimum ventilation 7.5 cfm per occupant plus 3 cfm for every 100 square feet of occupied floor area

Basic Principles 1. Source Control 2. Ventilation 3. Air Cleaning Air cleaning is only considered after proper source control and ventilation.

Air Cleaners No Ozone Air Cleaners True HEPA Filter Activated Charcoal Size for the space

Special Needs Asthma and Allergies EPA Asthma Home Environment Checklist Young Children Elderly

Resources Help Yourself to a Healthy Home An Office Building Occupants Guide to Indoor Air Quality Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home American Lung Association - Asthma American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) aiha/Press/ConsumerBrochures/Forms/AllItems.aspx

Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Mansel A. Nelson, Senior Program Coordinator Indoor Air Quality in Tribal Communities Northern Arizona University (NAU) nau.edu/iaqtc/ Voice FAX PO Box 5768, Flagstaff, AZ 86011