EQ PREREQ + CREDIT
Minimum IAQ Performance vs Enhanced IAQ Strategies
- Prerequisite → Minimum IAQ
→ Meet baseline ventilation + monitoring requirements - Credit → Enhanced IAQ
→ Go beyond minimum → better filtration, control, monitoring
👉 Memory shortcut:
Prereq = “Bring in enough clean air”
Credit = “Keep pollutants out + monitor better”
🔹 2. PREREQUISITE SUMMARY (Minimum IAQ)
🎯 Intent
Ensure minimum indoor air quality for occupant health and comfort
🧩 Two Core Requirements
| Requirement | What it Means |
| Ventilation | Provide enough outdoor air |
| Monitoring | Ensure system is working properly |
🌬️ A. Ventilation Requirements
- Mechanically Ventilated Spaces
| Option | Standard | Notes |
| Option 1 (US) | ASHRAE 62.1–2010 | ⭐ MOST IMPORTANT (memorize) |
| Option 2 (EU) | CEN EN 15251 + EN 13779 | Outside US |
👉 Must meet minimum outdoor air ventilation rates
- Naturally Ventilated Spaces
| Requirement | Standard |
| Natural ventilation design | ASHRAE 62.1–2010 |
| Effectiveness validation | CIBSE Applications Manual |
👉 Exam Trap:
- ASHRAE → design
- CIBSE → effectiveness
📡 B. Monitoring Requirements
Mechanically Ventilated Systems
| System Type | Requirement |
| VAV | Outdoor airflow monitor (+/-10% accuracy + alarm at 15%) |
| CAV | Maintain airflow via balancing + monitoring device |
Naturally Ventilated Systems (Choose ONE)
| Option | Strategy |
| 1 | Exhaust airflow monitoring |
| 2 | Opening status monitoring (windows, vents) |
| 3 | CO₂ monitoring |
👉 Exam Tip:
ONLY one option required for natural ventilation
🔹 3. CREDIT SUMMARY (Enhanced IAQ Strategies)
🎯 Intent
Improve IAQ beyond minimum ventilation
🧩 Two Options
| Option | Requirement | Points Logic |
| Option 1 | Implement ALL required strategies | 1 point |
| Option 2 | Implement ANY ONE strategy | +1 point |
👉 Memory shortcut:
Option 1 = “Do everything required”
Option 2 = “Pick one advanced strategy”
🔹 4. OPTION 1 – REQUIRED STRATEGIES
Based on Ventilation Type
| Ventilation Type | Required Strategies |
| Mechanical | Entryway + Cross-contamination + Filtration |
| Natural | Entryway + Natural ventilation calc |
| Mixed-mode | ALL (Mechanical + Natural + Mixed-mode calc) |
🧠 KEY STRATEGIES
| Strategy | Key Requirement | Exam Tip |
| Entryway systems | 10 ft long systems at entrances | ⭐ Common question |
| Cross-contamination | Negative pressure + exhaust (0.5 cfm/sf) | Hazardous spaces |
| Filtration | MERV 13+ | ⭐ Very important |
| Natural ventilation calc | Use CIBSE | |
| Mixed-mode calc | CIBSE AM13 |
🔹 5. OPTION 2 – PICK ONE STRATEGY
| Strategy | Requirement | Exam Tip |
| Exterior contamination prevention | Modeling (CFD, etc.) | Advanced |
| Increased ventilation | +30% above ASHRAE | ⭐ Common |
| CO₂ monitoring | Densely occupied spaces | |
| Source control + monitoring | Identify pollutants + sensors | |
| Room-by-room calc | CIBSE airflow modeling |
👉 Key takeaway:
Only ONE strategy needed
🔹 6. EXAM/Project-FOCUSED MASTER TABLE
| Topic | Requirement | Standard | Remember |
| Ventilation (mechanical) | Min outdoor air | ASHRAE 62.1–2010 | ⭐ |
| Ventilation (natural) | Design + effectiveness | ASHRAE + CIBSE | ⭐ |
| Filtration | MERV ≥ 13 | ASHRAE 52.2 | ⭐ |
| Entryway | 10 ft system | — | ⭐ |
| Increased ventilation | +30% | Based on ASHRAE | ⭐ |
| CO₂ monitoring | Alarm at +10% | — | ⭐ |
🔹 7. COMMON EXAM TRAPS 🚨
❗ 1. Entryway Systems
- Must be permanent
- Must be 10 feet long
- Carpet = ❌ NOT acceptable
❗ 2. Filtration
- Minimum = MERV 13
- Not optional for mechanical systems
❗ 3. CO₂ Monitoring
- Applies to:
- Densely occupied spaces
- Alarm at +10% above setpoint
❗ 4. Natural Ventilation
- Uses BOTH:
- ASHRAE 62.1 (design)
- CIBSE (effectiveness)
❗ 5. Option Logic
- Option 1 = ALL required strategies
- Option 2 = ONLY ONE strategy
🔹 8. PRACTICAL PROJECT STRATEGIES
Goal | Strategy |
Reduce contaminants | Entryway + source control |
Improve air quality | MERV 13 filters |
Monitor performance | CO₂ sensors + alarms |
Improve ventilation | Increase airflow +30% |
🔹 9. ULTRA-SIMPLE MEMORY TOOL
Minimum IAQ = Ventilation + Monitoring
Enhanced IAQ = Filtration + Control + Smarter Design
Official FAQs
Which standard is primarily used to determine minimum ventilation rates for mechanically ventilated spaces in LEED?
A. ASHRAE 55–2010
B. ASHRAE 90.1–2010
C. ASHRAE 62.1–2010
D. CIBSE AM13
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
ASHRAE 62.1–2010 is the primary standard for ventilation and IAQ requirements in LEED.
B. ASHRAE 90.1–2010
C. ASHRAE 62.1–2010
D. CIBSE AM13
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
ASHRAE 62.1–2010 is the primary standard for ventilation and IAQ requirements in LEED.
What is the minimum filtration requirement for mechanically ventilated systems under Enhanced IAQ Strategies?
A. MERV 8
B. MERV 11
C. MERV 13
D. HEPA
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
LEED requires MERV 13 or higher filtration (or equivalent).
B. MERV 11
C. MERV 13
D. HEPA
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
LEED requires MERV 13 or higher filtration (or equivalent).
What is the minimum required length for permanent entryway systems?
A. 5 feet
B. 8 feet
C. 10 feet
D. 12 feet
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
Entryway systems must be at least 10 feet (3 meters) long in the primary direction of travel.
B. 8 feet
C. 10 feet
D. 12 feet
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
Entryway systems must be at least 10 feet (3 meters) long in the primary direction of travel.
Which of the following is required for naturally ventilated spaces to confirm effectiveness?
A. ASHRAE 55
B. CIBSE Applications Manual
C. ASHRAE 90.1
D. EPA WaterSense
✅ Answer: B
Explanation:
CIBSE is used to confirm effectiveness, while ASHRAE 62.1 is used for design.
B. CIBSE Applications Manual
C. ASHRAE 90.1
D. EPA WaterSense
✅ Answer: B
Explanation:
CIBSE is used to confirm effectiveness, while ASHRAE 62.1 is used for design.
A project uses a mechanically ventilated VAV system. What is required to comply with IAQ monitoring requirements?
A. CO₂ sensors only
B. Direct outdoor airflow measurement device with alarm
C. Entryway system
D. Natural ventilation openings
✅ Answer: B
Explanation:
VAV systems require direct outdoor airflow measurement (+/-10%) with alarm at 15% deviation.
B. Direct outdoor airflow measurement device with alarm
C. Entryway system
D. Natural ventilation openings
✅ Answer: B
Explanation:
VAV systems require direct outdoor airflow measurement (+/-10%) with alarm at 15% deviation.
A project team wants to pursue Enhanced IAQ Strategies (Option 2). What is the minimum requirement?
A. Implement all applicable strategies
B. Implement two strategies
C. Implement one strategy
D. Perform energy modeling
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
Option 2 requires only ONE strategy.
B. Implement two strategies
C. Implement one strategy
D. Perform energy modeling
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
Option 2 requires only ONE strategy.
A project increases ventilation rates by 30% above ASHRAE 62.1. Which credit strategy does this support?
A. Minimum IAQ Performance
B. Enhanced IAQ – Option 1
C. Enhanced IAQ – Option 2
D. Thermal Comfort
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
“Increased ventilation (+30%)” is an Option 2 strategy.
B. Enhanced IAQ – Option 1
C. Enhanced IAQ – Option 2
D. Thermal Comfort
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
“Increased ventilation (+30%)” is an Option 2 strategy.
A project installs CO₂ sensors in densely occupied spaces that trigger alarms when levels exceed setpoints by 10%. Which requirement is this meeting?
A. Minimum IAQ – Ventilation
B. Minimum IAQ – Monitoring
C. Enhanced IAQ – Filtration
D. Enhanced IAQ – Entryway systems
✅ Answer: B
Explanation:
CO₂ monitoring with alarms is part of monitoring requirements in the prerequisite (and also appears in credit strategies).
B. Minimum IAQ – Monitoring
C. Enhanced IAQ – Filtration
D. Enhanced IAQ – Entryway systems
✅ Answer: B
Explanation:
CO₂ monitoring with alarms is part of monitoring requirements in the prerequisite (and also appears in credit strategies).
A mixed-mode building includes both natural and mechanical ventilation systems. Under Enhanced IAQ Option 1, which of the following is required?
A. Only mechanical ventilation strategies
B. Only natural ventilation strategies
C. All applicable strategies for both systems
D. Only one strategy from either system
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
Mixed-mode = must implement ALL applicable strategies for both systems.
B. Only natural ventilation strategies
C. All applicable strategies for both systems
D. Only one strategy from either system
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
Mixed-mode = must implement ALL applicable strategies for both systems.
Which strategy BEST addresses pollutant entry at the building entrance?
A. CO₂ monitoring
B. Increased ventilation
C. Entryway systems
D. Filtration
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
Entryway systems are source control—they stop pollutants before entering the building.
B. Increased ventilation
C. Entryway systems
D. Filtration
✅ Answer: C
Explanation:
Entryway systems are source control—they stop pollutants before entering the building.
Which of the following materials is acceptable as a permanent entryway system?
A. Standard carpet
B. Roll-out mat designed for entryways
C. Decorative rug
D. Vinyl flooring
✅ Answer: B
Explanation:
Only designed entryway systems (grilles, mats, etc.) qualify.
Carpet = ❌ not acceptable.
B. Roll-out mat designed for entryways
C. Decorative rug
D. Vinyl flooring
✅ Answer: B
Explanation:
Only designed entryway systems (grilles, mats, etc.) qualify.
Carpet = ❌ not acceptable.
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