Garages are a key selling point for homebuyers. Often times, though, the garage can be the one place that can quickly develop indoor air quality problems. Many sources of pollutants can be found in a garage, such as from a car, lawn mower, gas cans, paints and solvents. To address these sources of pollutants, Indoor airPLUS Construction Specification 5.6 requires a 70 cfm fan, rated for continuous operation, to be installed in attached garages. The primary goal of the garage fan is to remove air pollutants from the garage.
EPA's preferred strategy is to install an efficient ENERGY STAR® qualified fan and to operate the fan continuously. Otherwise, a builder can install a fan that limits fan operating time. The fan is set to operate whenever someone is in the garage and to continue to operate for one hour after the garage is vacated. All three of the following methods are permissible under the Indoor airPLUS Program, however, they are rated based on overall effectiveness:
- Best: A continuously operating fan address all sources of pollutants all the time.
- Better: A fan that operates via a motion detector and stops one hour after motion stops addresses activities in a garage, such as running a car's motor and operating workshop tools. This fan does not address general storage of items, such as gas cans and solvents in products.
- Good: A fan that operates when the vehicle garage door is opened or closed and stops one hour after the door is opened or closed addresses cars and other engines. This fan does not address general storage or workshop activities.
Download the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications to learn more about exhaust fans and all Indoor airPLUS features. If you would like technical assistance or more information, e-mail iap@icfi.com or visit the Frequent Questions online.
Comments(0)