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Additional reproduction, distribution, or transmission in either print or digital form is not permitted without ASHRAEs prior written permission.

the standard are encouraged to use the continuous mainte- b. because of the many other factors that may affect occu-
nance procedure to suggest changes for further improvements. pant perception and acceptance of indoor air quality, such
A form for submitting change proposals is included in the back as air temperature, humidity, noise, lighting, and psycho-
of this edition. The project committee for Standard 62.1 will logical stress;
take formal action on all change proposals received. c. because of the range of susceptibility in the popula-
tion; and
1. PURPOSE d. because outdoor air brought into the building may be
unacceptable or may not be adequately cleaned.
1.1 The purpose of this standard is to specify minimum ven-
tilation rates and other measures intended to provide indoor
3. DEFINITIONS (SEE FIGURE 3.1)
air quality that is acceptable to human occupants and that min-
imizes adverse health effects. acceptable indoor air quality: air in which there are no
known contaminants at harmful concentrations as deter-
1.2 This standard is intended for regulatory application to mined by cognizant authorities and with which a substantial
new buildings, additions to existing buildings, and those majority (80% or more) of the people exposed do not express
changes to existing buildings that are identified in the body of dissatisfaction.
the standard.
air-cleaning system: a device or combination of devices
1.3 This standard is intended to be used to guide the applied to reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants,
improvement of indoor air quality in existing buildings. such as microorganisms, dusts, fumes, respirable particles,
other particulate matter, gases, and/or vapors in air.
2. SCOPE
air conditioning: the process of treating air to meet the
2.1 This standard applies to all spaces intended for human requirements of a conditioned space by controlling its temper-
occupancy except those within single-family houses, multi- ature, humidity, cleanliness, and distribution.
family structures of three stories or fewer above grade, vehi-
cles, and aircraft. air, ambient: the air surrounding a building; the source of
outdoor air brought into a building.
2.2 This standard defines requirements for ventilation and
air-cleaning system design, installation, commissioning, and air, exhaust: air removed from a space and discharged to
operation and maintenance. outside the building by means of mechanical or natural venti-
lation systems.
2.3 Additional requirements for laboratory, industrial,
health care, and other spaces may be dictated by workplace air, indoor: the air in an enclosed occupiable space.
and other standards, as well as by the processes occurring air, makeup: any combination of outdoor and transfer air
within the space. intended to replace exhaust air and exfiltration.
2.4 Although the standard may be applied to both new and air, outdoor: ambient air that enters a building through a venti-
existing buildings, the provisions of this standard are not lation system, through intentional openings for natural venti-
intended to be applied retroactively when the standard is used lation, or by infiltration.
as a mandatory regulation or code.
air, recirculated: air removed from a space and reused as
2.5 This standard does not prescribe specific ventilation rate supply air.
requirements for spaces that contain smoking or that do not
meet the requirements in the standard for separation from air, return: air removed from a space to be then recirculated
spaces that contain smoking. or exhausted.
air, supply: air delivered by mechanical or natural ventilation
2.6 Ventilation requirements of this standard are based on
to a space, composed of any combination of outdoor air, recir-
chemical, physical, and biological contaminants that can
culated air, or transfer air.
affect air quality.
air, transfer: air moved from one indoor space to another.
2.7 Consideration or control of thermal comfort is not
included. air, ventilation: that portion of supply air that is outdoor air
plus any recirculated air that has been treated for the purpose
2.8 This standard contains requirements, in addition to ven-
of maintaining acceptable indoor air quality.
tilation, related to certain sources, including outdoor air, con-
struction processes, moisture, and biological growth. breathing zone: the region within an occupied space between
planes 3 and 72 in. (75 and 1800 mm) above the floor and more
2.9 Acceptable indoor air quality may not be achieved in all than 2 ft (600 mm) from the walls or fixed air-conditioning
buildings meeting the requirements of this standard for one or equipment.
more of the following reasons:
cognizant authority: an agency or organization that has the
a. because of the diversity of sources and contaminants in expertise and jurisdiction to establish and regulate concen-
indoor air; tration limits for airborne contaminants; or an agency or

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2010 3

 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (www.ashrae.org). For personal use only.
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Figure 3.1 Ventilation system.

organization that is recognized as authoritative and has the exfiltration: uncontrolled outward air leakage from condi-
scope and expertise to establish guidelines, limit values, or tioned spaces through unintentional openings in ceilings,
concentrations levels for airborne contaminants. floors, and walls to unconditioned spaces or the outdoors
caused by pressure differences across these openings due to
concentration: the quantity of one constituent dispersed in a
wind, inside-outside temperature differences (stack effect),
defined amount of another.
and imbalances between supply and exhaust airflow rates.
conditioned space: that part of a building that is heated or
industrial space: an indoor environment where the primary
cooled, or both, for the comfort of occupants.
activity is production or manufacturing processes. The
contaminant: an unwanted airborne constituent that may processes in these spaces may generate contaminants with
reduce acceptability of the air. characteristics and in quantities dictating that principles of
worker safety and industrial hygiene be used to define contam-
demand-controlled ventilation (DCV): any means by which
inant control strategies, including ventilation. Also, the
the breathing zone outdoor airflow (Vbz) can be varied to the
primary occupants of these spaces consist of the individuals
occupied space or spaces based on the actual or estimated
involved in these processes.
number of occupants and/or ventilation requirements of the
occupied zone. infiltration: uncontrolled inward air leakage to conditioned
spaces through unintentional openings in ceilings, floors, and
energy recovery ventilation system: a device or combination
walls from unconditioned spaces or the outdoors caused by the
of devices applied to provide the outdoor air for ventilation in
same pressure differences that induce exfiltration.
which energy is transferred between the intake and exhaust
airstreams. mechanical ventilation: ventilation provided by mechani-
cally powered equipment, such as motor-driven fans and
environmental tobacco smoke (ETS): the aged and diluted
blowers, but not by devices such as wind-driven turbine venti-
combination of both side-stream smoke (smoke from the lit
lators and mechanically operated windows.
end of a cigarette or other tobacco product) and exhaled main-
stream smoke (smoke that is exhaled by a smoker). ETS is microorganism: a microscopic organism, especially a bacte-
commonly referred to as secondhand smoke. rium, fungus, or protozoan.
ETS-free area: an area where no smoking occurs and that is natural ventilation: ventilation provided by thermal, wind, or
separated from ETS areas according to the requirements of diffusion effects through doors, windows, or other intentional
this standard. openings in the building.
Note: A no-smoking area is not necessarily an ETS-free
net occupiable area: the floor area of an occupiable space
area.
defined by the inside surfaces of its walls but excluding shafts,
ETS area: spaces where smoking is permitted, as well as those column enclosures, and other permanently enclosed, inacces-
not separated from spaces where smoking is permitted in sible, and unoccupiable areas. Obstructions in the space such as
accord with the requirements of Section 5 in this standard. furnishings, display or storage racks, and other obstructions,

4 ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2010

 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (www.ashrae.org). For personal use only.
Additional reproduction, distribution, or transmission in either print or digital form is not permitted without ASHRAEs prior written permission.

whether temporary or permanent, are considered to be part of a. Regional air quality compliance status.
the net occupiable area. Note: Regional outdoor air quality compliance status for
occupiable space: an enclosed space intended for human the United States is available from the U.S. Environmen-
activities, excluding those spaces that are intended primarily tal Protection Agency located under www.epa.gov.
for other purposes, such as storage rooms and equipment b. Local survey information:
rooms, and that are only occupied occasionally and for short 1. Date of observations
periods of time. 2. Time of observations
odor: a quality of gases, liquids, or particles that stimulates the 3. Site description
olfactory organ. 4. Description of facilities on site and on adjoining
properties
readily accessible: capable of being reached quickly for oper- 5. Observation of odors or irritants
ation without requiring those for whom ready access is 6. Observation of visible plumes or visible air contami-
required to climb over or remove obstacles or to resort to porta- nants
ble ladders, chairs, or other climbing aids. 7. Description of sources of vehicle exhaust on site and
ventilation: the process of supplying air to or removing air on adjoining properties
from a space for the purpose of controlling air contaminant 8. Identification of potential contaminant sources on the
levels, humidity, or temperature within the space. site and from adjoining properties
volume, space: the total volume of an occupiable space c. Conclusions regarding the acceptability of outdoor air
enclosed by the building envelope, plus that of any spaces quality based on consideration of information from inves-
permanently open to the occupiable space, such as a ceiling tigation.
attic used as a ceiling return plenum.
5. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
ventilation zone: any indoor area that requires ventilation and
consists of one or more occupiable spaces with similar occu- 5.1 Ventilation Air Distribution. Ventilating systems shall
pancy category (see Table 6-1), occupant density, zone air be designed in accordance with the following requirements.
distribution effectiveness (see Section 6.2.2.2), and zone 5.1.1 Designing for Air Balancing. The ventilation air
primary airflow (see Section 6.2.5.1) per unit area. distribution system shall be provided with means to adjust the
Note: A ventilation zone is not necessarily an indepen- system to achieve at least the minimum ventilation airflow as
dent thermal control zone; however, spaces that can be required by Section 6 under any load condition.
combined for load calculation purposes can often be combined 5.1.2 Plenum Systems. When the ceiling or floor plenum
into a single zone for ventilation calculations purposes. is used both to recirculate return air and to distribute ventila-
tion air to ceiling-mounted or floor-mounted terminal units,
4. OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY the system shall be engineered such that each space is pro-
vided with its required minimum ventilation airflow.
Outdoor air quality shall be investigated in accordance
Note: Systems with direct connection of ventilation air
with Sections 4.1 and 4.2 prior to completion of ventilation
ducts to terminal units, for example, comply with this require-
system design. The results of this investigation shall be docu-
ment.
mented in accordance with Section 4.3.
5.1.3 Documentation. The design documents shall spec-
4.1 Regional Air Quality. The status of compliance with ify minimum requirements for air balance testing or reference
national ambient air quality standards shall be determined for applicable national standards for measuring and balancing
the geographic area of the building site. airflow. The design documentation shall state assumptions
4.1.1 In the United States, compliance status shall be that were made in the design with respect to ventilation rates
either in attainment or non-attainment with the National and air distribution.
Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)1. In the United
5.2 Exhaust Duct Location. Exhaust ducts that convey
States, areas with no EPA compliance status designation shall
potentially harmful contaminants shall be negatively pressur-
be considered attainment areas.
ized relative to spaces through which they pass, so that
Note: The National Ambient Air Quality Standards exhaust air cannot leak into occupied spaces; supply, return,
(NAAQS) are shown in Informative Appendix I, Table I-1. or outdoor air ducts; or plenums.
4.2 Local Air Quality. An observational survey of the build- Exception: Exhaust ducts that are sealed in accordance with
ing site and its immediate surroundings shall be conducted SMACNA Seal Class A.2
during hours the building is expected to be normally occupied
5.3 Ventilation System Controls. Mechanical ventilation
to identify local contaminants from surrounding facilities that
systems shall include controls, manual or automatic, that
may be of concern if allowed to enter the building.
enable the fan system to operate whenever the spaces served
4.3 Documentation. Documentation of the outdoor air qual- are occupied. The system shall be designed to maintain no less
ity investigation shall be reviewed with building owners or their than the minimum outdoor airflow as required by Section 6
representative and shall include the following as a minimum: under any load condition.

ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2010 5

 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (www.ashrae.org). For personal use only.
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Note: Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems with fixed equivalent or lesser rate of introduction of contaminants
outdoor air damper positions must comply with this require- from outdoor sources will be attained.
ment at minimum system primary airflow. Note: Appendix F presents an analytical method for
5.4 Airstream Surfaces. All airstream surfaces in equip- determining the minimum separation distances based on dilu-
ment and ducts in the heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning tion of outdoor contaminants.
system shall be designed and constructed in accordance with 5.5.2 Rain Entrainment. Outdoor air intakes that are part
the following requirements. of the mechanical ventilation system shall be designed to
5.4.1 Resistance to Mold Growth. Material surfaces manage rain entrainment in accordance with any one of the
shall be determined to be resistant to mold growth in accor- following:
dance with a standardized test method, such as the Mold
Growth and Humidity Test in UL 181,3 ASTM C 1338,4 or a. Limit water penetration through the intake to 0.07 oz/ft2h
comparable test methods. (21.5 g/m2h) of inlet area when tested using the rain test
Exception: Sheet metal surfaces and metal fasteners. apparatus described in Section 58 of UL 1995.12
Note: Even with this resistance, any airstream surface b. Select louvers that limit water penetration to a maximum
that is continuously wetted is still subject to microbial growth. of 0.01 oz/ft2 (3 g/m2) of louver free area at the maximum
intake velocity. This water penetration rate shall be deter-
5.4.2 Resistance to Erosion. Airstream surface materials
mined for a minimum 15-minute test duration when sub-
shall be evaluated in accordance with the Erosion Test in
jected to a water flow rate of 0.25 gal/min (16 mL/s) as
UL 1813 and shall not break away, crack, peel, flake off, or
show evidence of delamination or continued erosion under described under the Water Penetration Test in AMCA
test conditions. 500-L13 or equivalent. Manage the water that penetrates
the louver by providing a drainage area and/or moisture
Exception: Sheet metal surfaces and metal fasteners. removal devices.
5.5 Outdoor Air Intakes. Ventilation system outdoor c. Select louvers that restrict wind-driven rain penetration to
intakes shall be designed in accordance with the following. less than 2.36 oz/ft2h (721 g/m2h) when subjected to a
5.5.1 Location. Outdoor air intakes (including openings simulated rainfall of 3 in. (75 mm) per hour and a 29 mph
that are required as part of a natural ventilation system) shall be (13 m/s) wind velocity at the design outdoor air intake
located such that the shortest distance from the intake to any rate with the air velocity calculated based on the louver
specific potential outdoor contaminant source shall be equal to face area.
or greater than the separation distance listed in Table 5-1. Note: This performance corresponds to Class A (99%
Exception: Other minimum separation distances shall be effectiveness) when rated according to AMCA 51114 and
permitted, provided it can be shown analytically that an tested per AMCA 500-L.13

TABLE 5-1 Air Intake Minimum Separation Distance

Object Minimum Distance, ft (m)
Class 2 air exhaust/relief outlet (Note 1) 10 (3)
Class 3 air exhaust/relief outlet (Note 1) 15 (5)
Class 4 air exhaust/relief outlet (Note 2) 30 (10)
Plumbing vents terminating less than 3 ft (1 m) above the level of the outdoor air intake 10 (3)
Plumbing vents terminating at least 3 ft (1 m) above the level of the outdoor air intake 3 (1)
Vents, chimneys, and flues from combustion appliances and equipment (Note 3) 15 (5)
Garage entry, automobile loading area, or drive-in queue (Note 4) 15 (5)
Truck loading area or dock, bus parking/idling area (Note 4) 25 (7.5)
Driveway, street, or parking place (Note 4) 5 (1.5)
Thoroughfare with high traffic volume 25 (7.5)
Roof, landscaped grade, or other surface directly below intake (Notes 5 and 6) 1 (0.30)
Garbage storage/pick-up area, dumpsters 15 (5)
Cooling tower intake or basin 15 (5)
Cooling tower exhaust 25 (7.5)
Note 1: This requirements applies to the distance from the outdoor air intakes for one ventilation system to the exhaust/relief outlets for any other ventilation system.
Note 2: Minimum distance listed does not apply to laboratory fume hood exhaust air outlets. Separation criteria for fume hood exhaust shall be in compliance with NFPA 455 and
ANSI/AIHA Z9.5.6 Information on separation criteria for industrial environments can be found in the ACGIH Industrial Ventilation Manual 7 and in the ASHRAE Handbook
HVAC Applications.8
Note 3: Shorter separation distances shall be permitted when determined in accordance with (a) ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 549 for fuel gas burning appliances and equipment, (b) NFPA 3110
for oil burning appliances and equipment, or (c) NFPA 21111 for other combustion appliances and equipment.
Note 4: Distance measured to closest place that vehicle exhaust is likely to be located.
Note 5: Shorter separation distance shall be permitted where outdoor surfaces are sloped more than 45 degrees from horizontal or that are less than 1 in. (3 cm) wide.
Note 6: Where snow accumulation is expected, the surface of the snow at the expected average snow depth constitutes the other surface directly below intake.

6 ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2010