Indoor Air Quality Guidelines -Appendix B

 SAMPLE CHECKLIST FOR BUILDING INSPECTION

Note: A walk-through inspection should include the office premises, its air-conditioning system and any other ventilation installations. The purpose of the inspection is to identify irregularities. The following checklist is provided as a guide and is not meant to be exhaustive. Where necessary, assistance should be sought from the building manager

1 Human exposure and comfort levels

1.1 How many occupants are there in each work area?

1.2 What time are the occupants in the building?

1.3 Is the indoor temperature regulated by thermostats? Where are they located? Have they been correctly positioned following building alterations? Are they set to the correct temperature?

1.4 Is there discomfort from heat radiation from visual display units?

1.5 Is there discomfort due to radiant heat from warm window surfaces?

1.6 Are temperature, relative humidity and air flow rates checked regularly during working hours?

1.7 Does air reach all parts of the office or are there dead spaces?

1.8 Are there any flickering fluorescent tubes? Are fluorescent tubes regularly replaced before there are obvious signs of wear?

1.9 Is the building still being used for the purpose it was intended? Have partitions/walls been added or removed? Have occupancy levels changed?

2 Potential sources of contaminants

2.1 Are there occupants smoking in any room or area?

2.2 Are there office equipment giving off gases or fumes? If so, are the equipment supplied with separate exhaust ventilation? Does the exhaust convey air to the exterior of the building or into corridors or into the air-conditioning system?

2.3 Are there furniture, furnishings, carpets, etc. that emit noticeable odours? Have detergents, pesticides or other chemicals been used in the building?

2.4 Are renovation works being undertaken in any part of the building? Are they done during working hours?

2.5 Is there a kitchen or pantry where cooking is done? Is exhaust ventilation provided there?

2.6 Is the building adequately cleaned? Is regular dusting of office furniture, ledges, shelves, etc. carried out to help keep dust to a minimum? Are the carpets vacuum-cleaned regularly?

3 Ventilation and air-conditioning

3.1 How many supply air and extract air vents are there in each room or area? Is there at least one each in every room?

3.2 Are vents located in positions that will permit the best air circulation?

3.3 Are supply air or extract air vents blocked in any way by partitions, 35 files or other structures that obstruct air flow? Has dust collected around the air vents?

3.4 Is the air-conditioning system turned off any time during the day?

3.5 Is the system turned off after office hours? Are there still occupants in the building after office hours?

3.6 Where is the outdoor air intake duct located? Is it near the cooling tower in this building or is it near adjacent buildings? Is it at street level or near a car park? Is it blocked up? Are heavy industries located nearby? Is there any construction work going on nearby? Is outdoor air actually getting into the building?

3.7 Are filters being used? Are they adequate? Are they being bypassed? How often are they cleaned or replaced?

3.8 Is there a regular schedule for cleaning and maintenance of the airconditioning system in the building? Are all the components of the air-conditioning system regularly inspected for leaks, breaches, etc.?