Section A5.504 — POLLUTANT CONTROL

A5.504.1 Indoor air quality (IAQ) during construction. Maintain IAQ as provided in Sections A5.504.1.1 and A5.504.1.2.

A5.504.1.1 Temporary ventilation. Provide temporary ventilation during construction in accordance with Section 120.1 (Requirements for Ventilation) of the California Energy Code, CCR, Title 24, Part 6 and Chapter 4 of CCR, Title 8 and as follows:

1. Ventilation during construction shall be achieved through openings in the building shell using fans to produce a minimum of three air changes per hour.
2. If the building is occupied during demolition or construction, meet or exceed the recommended Control Measures of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings under Construction, 1995, Chapter 3.

A5.504.1.2 Additional IAQ measures. Employ additional measures as follows:

1. When using generators to generate temporary power, use generators meeting the requirements of CCR, Title 13, Chapter 9 or local ordinance, whichever is more stringent.

2. Protect on-site absorbent materials from moisture. Remove and replace any materials with evidence of mold, mildew or moisture infiltration.

3. Store odorous and high VOC-emitting materials off-site, without packaging, for a sufficient period to allow odors and VOCs to disperse.

4. When possible, once materials are on the jobsite, install odorous and high VOC-emitting materials prior to those that are porous or fibrous.

5. Clean oil and dust from ducts prior to use.

A5.504.2 IAQ postconstruction. After all interior finishes have been installed, flush out the building by supplying continuous ventilation with all air handling units at their maximum outdoor air rate and all supply fans at their maximum position and rate for at least 14 days.

1. During this time, maintain an internal temperature of at least 60°F and relative humidity no higher than 60 percent. If extenuating circumstances make these temperature and humidity limits unachievable, the flush-out may be conducted under conditions as close as possible to these limits, provided that documentation of the extenuating circumstances is provided in writing.

2. Occupancy may start after 4 days, provided flush-out continues for the full 14 days. During occupied times, the thermal comfort conditions of Title 24 must be met.

3. For buildings that rely on natural ventilation, exhaust fans and floor fans must be used to improve air mixing and removal during the 14-day flush-out and windows should remain open.

4. Do not “bake out” the building by increasing the temperature of the space.

5. If continuous ventilation is not possible, flush-out air must total the equivalent of 14 days of maximum outdoor air. The equivalent of 14 days of maximum outdoor air (the target air volume) shall be calculated by multiplying the maximum feasible air flow rate (in ft [3] /m) by 14 days (20,160 minutes). The air volumes for each period of ventilation are then calculated and summed and the flush-out continues until the total equals the target air volume.

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APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

A5.504.2.1 IAQ testing. If the engineer determines that building flush-out pursuant to Section A5.504.2 is not feasible, a testing alternative may be employed after all interior finishes have been installed, using testing protocols recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).

A5.504.2.1.1 Maximum levels of contaminants. Allowable levels of contaminant concentrations measured by testing shall not exceed the following:

1. Carbon Monoxide (CO): 9 parts per million, not to exceed outdoor levels by 2 parts per million;
2. Formaldehyde: 27 parts per billion;
3. Particulates (PM10): 50 micrograms per cubic meter;
4. 4-Phenylcyclohexene (4-PCH), if fabrics and carpets with styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) latex backing, are installed: 6.5 micrograms per cubic meter; and
5. Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC): 300 micrograms per cubic meter.

A5.504.2.1.2 Test protocols. Testing of indoor air quality should include the following elements:

1. The contaminant sampling and averaging times and the measurement methods should be sufficient to achieve a Limit of Detection that is below the maximum allowable concentrations.

2. Testing should be conducted with the HVAC system operated at the minimum design outdoor air ventilation rate.

3. Air samplers and monitors should be located near likely sources of formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds, at a height of 3 to 6 feet from the floor and well away from walls and air diffusers.

4. The test protocols should be justified with documentation to show that appropriate sampling methods and times were used.

A5.504.2.1.3 Noncomplying building areas. For each sampling area of the building exceeding the maximum concentrations specified in Section A5.504.2.1.1, flush out with outside air and retest samples taken from the same area. Repeat the procedures until testing demonstrates compliance.

Note: US EPA-recognized testing protocols may be found on the Air Resources Board web site.

A5.504.4.5.1 No added formaldehyde Tier 1. Use composite wood products approved by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) as no-added formaldehyde (NAF) based resins or ultra-low emitting formaldehyde (ULEF) resins.

Notes:

1. See Title 17, Section 93120.3(c) and (d), respectively.
2. Documentation must be provided verifying that materials are certified to meet the pollutant emission limits. A list of manufacturers and their NAF and ULEF certified materials is provided at: http://www.arb.ca.gov/toxics/ compwood/naf_ulef/listofnaf_ulef.htm.

A5.504.4.7 Resilient flooring systems, Tier 1. Where resilient flooring is installed, at least 90 percent of floor area receiving resilient flooring shall meet the requirements of the California Department of Public Health, “Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,” Version 1.2, January 2017 (Emission testing method for California Specification 01350).

ere resilient flooring is installed, at least 90 percent of floor area receiving resilient flooring shall meet the requirements of the California Department of Public Health, “Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,” Version 1.2, January 2017 (Emission testing method for California Specification 01350).

See California Department of Public Health’s website for certification programs and testing labs.

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHLB/IAQ/Pages/VOC.aspx#material

A5.504.4.7.1 Resilient flooring systems, Tier 2. Where resilient flooring is installed, 100 percent of floor area receiving resilient flooring shall meet the requirements of the California Department of Public Health, “Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical Emissions from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers,” Version 1.2, January 2017 (Emission testing method for California Specification 01350).

See California Department of Public Health’s website for certification programs and testing labs.

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/EHLB/IAQ/Pages/VOC.aspx#material

A5.504.4.7.2 Verification of compliance. Documentation shall be provided verifying that resilient flooring materials meet the pollutant emission limits.

A5.504.4.8 Thermal insulation, Tier 1. Thermal insulation, No-added Formaldehyde. Install thermal insulation which complies with Tier 1 plus does not contain any added formaldehyde.

A5.504.4.8.1 Verification of compliance. Documentation shall be provided verifying that thermal insulation materials meet the pollutant emission limits.

A5.504.5 Hazardous particulates and chemical pollutants. Minimize and control pollutant entry into buildings and cross-contamination of regularly occupied areas.

A5.504.5.1 Entryway systems. Install permanent entryway systems measuring at least six feet in the primary direction of travel to capture dirt and particulates at entryways directly connected to the outdoors.

1. Qualifying entryways are those that serve as regular entry points for building users.
2. Acceptable entryway systems include, but are not limited to, permanently installed grates, grilles or slotted systems that allow cleaning underneath.

APPENDIX A5-36 2025 CALIFORNIA GREEN BUILDING STANDARDS CODE

on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

APPENDIX A5 — NONRESIDENTIAL VOLUNTARY MEASURES

3. Roll-out mats are acceptable only when maintained regularly by janitorial contractors as documented in service contract or by in-house staff as documented by written policies and procedures.

A5.504.5.2 Isolation of pollutant sources. In rooms where activities produce hazardous fumes or chemicals, such as garages, janitorial or laundry rooms and copy or printing rooms, exhaust them and isolate them from their adjacent rooms.

1. Exhaust each space with no air recirculation in accordance with ASHRAE 62.1, Table 6-4 to create negative pressure with respect to adjacent spaces with the doors to the room closed.
2. For each space, provide self-closing doors and deck to deck partitions or a hard ceiling.
3. Install low-noise, vented range hoods for all cooking appliances and in laboratory or other chemical mixing areas.