Total of 5 categories:
This page focuses on Indoor Environmental Quality and its corresponding credits.
The emphasis here is to provide a healthy indoor environment. Improving ventilation rates,
avoiding the use of materials that off gas volatile organic compounds, creating an environment free from tobacco smoke
and preventing the contamination of mechanical systems and ducts during construction are a few of the strategies employed.
LEED NC has 15 possible points in the Indoor Environmental Quality category, whereas LEED CS has 11 points.
Indoor Environmental Quality:
2 prerequisites, 8 credits = 15 possible points
EQ Prerequisite 1 Minimum IAQ Performance:
Sets minimum rates of ventilation to improve indoor comfort.
EQ Prerequisite 2 Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control:
Requires a no smoking policy in the building or establishing effective methods to remove tobacco smoke from designated smoking areas.
EQ Credit 1 Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring:
Install permanent monitoring systems to ensure minimum ventilation performance.
EQ Credit 2 Increased Ventilation:
Two different options using mechanical or natural systems to provide additional outdoor air for improved comfort.
EQ Credit 3.1 Construction IAQ Management Plan, During Construction:
Establish and enforced a construction indoor air quality management plan
to ensure the health and well being of construction workers and building occupants.
EQ Credit 3.2 Construction IAQ Management Plan, Before Occupancy:
Essentially a building flush out over a 2 week period or has the option for IAQ testing
EQ Credit 4.1 Low-Emitting Materials, Adhesives & Sealants:
Places limits on the VOCs (volatile Organic Compound) that are used in adhesives and sealants within the building envelope.
EQ Credit 4.2 Low-Emitting Materials, Paints & Coatings:
Places limits on the VOCs (volatile Organic Compound) that are used in paints & coatings within the building envelope.
EQ Credit 4.3 Low-Emitting Materials, Carpet Systems:
Places limits on the VOCs (volatile Organic Compound) that are used in carpet adhesives within the building envelope.
Encourages the use of Green label plus carpets and rugs (including carpet pads).
EQ Credit 4.4 Low-Emitting Materials, Composite Wood & Agrifiber Products:
No added urea-formaldehyde resins
Composite Wood Check OSB, MDF, plywood, parallams, SC WD doors
EQ Credit 5 Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control:
Reduce exposure of building occupants to potential irritants/ particulates and chemical pollutants.
EQ Credit 6.1 Controllability of Systems, Lighting:
Provide for a higher level of personal control over lighting.
EQ Credit 6.2 Controllability of Systems, Thermal Comfort:
Provide for a higher level of individual control over thermal comfort.
EQ Credit 7.1 Thermal Comfort, Design:
Provide a comfortable indoor environment through mechanical and building envelope design.
EQ Credit 7.2 Thermal Comfort, Verification:
Implement a survey to understand the buildings thermal comfort after a period of time.
EQ Credit 8.1 Daylight & Views, Daylight 75% of Spaces:
Design to enable a connection between both indoor and outdoor environments.
EQ Credit 8.1 Daylight & Views, Views for 90% of Spaces:
Similar to the above but for a higher percentage.
Go to page:
1 (LEED introduction)
2 (Sustainable Sites)
3 (Water Efficiency)
4 (Energy & Atmosphere)
5 (Materials & Resources)
6 (Indoor Environmental Quality)
7 (Innovation & Design Process)
Other FAQs in our sustainable series: