Indoor airPLUS Program
Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications
Inside the Specifications
Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications
Office of Air and Radiation (6609J)
EPA 402/K-08/003, January 2009
Construction Specifications (PDF)
(16 pp., 1.9 M, about PDF).
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- Self-sealing Bituminous Membranes and Roof Systems
- Keep Good Indoor Air Quality In and Pests Out!
- Exhaust Fans in Attached Garages
Self-sealing Bituminous Membranes and Roof Systems
Membrane protection of roof valley (Option 1) (Click on the image for a full-page version)
Find more detailed illustrations in the Technical Guidance.
Roof systems should be designed to effectively keep normal rainfall, as well as wind-blown rain and in cold climates, snow and ice out of the home. Water that penetrates the roof structure causes several problems; it can rot and otherwise degrade building materials, wet insulation and reduce its effectiveness, and cause unsightly stains on ceilings and walls. And, from an air quality perspective, it can lead to the growth of mold and occupant exposure.
Roof valleys and penetrations of the roof (e.g., plumbing vent pipes) are areas that are prone to leakage problems over time. Valleys receive excessive wear because so much water is directed to them, and this meeting point where two roof planes intersect is the site of a significant amount of expansion and contraction movements in roofing materials as temperatures vary daily and seasonally. For this reason, Indoor airPLUS requires that a secondary layer of protection against leaks be placed at valleys and roof penetrations; that is, a self-sealing bituminous membrane, or equivalent. Several excellent flashing materials are available that have an extended service life. However, there are a wide variety of flashing materials (e.g., copper, lead-coated copper, aluminum, painted aluminum, lead, stainless steel, galvanized steel, zinc-coated galvanized steel, zinc and other alloys). The effectiveness and service life of each of these depends upon the climate and air pollutants that are present, the thickness or gauge of the material, and whether it is difficult to install properly and may possibly come in contact with other building products that may cause its degradation.
- Technical Guidance to the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications: 1. Moisture Control - Water-Managed Roof Assemblies; 1.9 Install Self-Sealing Bituminous Membrane
- Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications and Checklist.
Keep Good Indoor Air Quality In and Pests Out!
In a new home, the first line of defense against common pests, such as cockroaches, fleas, termites, ants and rodents, is to prevent them from entering the home. This will help reduce or eliminate pest-related asthma attacks and allergic reactions and reduce the need for pesticides, which also can be a potential health risk. Indoor airPLUS encourages builders to help prevent pest invasion by sealing, caulking and screening places where pests can enter a home. For many homes, total pest elimination is almost impossible, but by following Indoor airPLUS specifications for pest barriers, you can lower the potential for pest infestation. Once an Indoor airPLUS qualified home is occupied, it is important for builders to ensure that the homeowners understand basic indoor air quality guidelines for pest control as part of the maintenance of the home.
- Learn more about the specifics of installing pest barriers for new homes by visiting the pest control section of the Indoor airPLUS Construction Specifications.
Exhaust Fans in Attached Garages
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 Indoor_airPLUS@epa.gov or visit the Frequent Questions online.