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DIN Standards Committee Building and Civil Engineering

Overview

This part of EN ISO 16000 specifies the requirements for investigating buildings for the occurrence of pollutants and other injurious factors, as a basis for subsequent sampling of suspect areas and determination of the type and quantity of pollutants, which are described in detail in other parts of EN ISO 16000. Investigations on the occurrence of pollutants and other injurious factors in buildings make it possible to determine the level of pollution (such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), VOC, asbestos) at the time of the investigation and to assess their impact. The following sources of pollutants have been identified: - primary pollutants in the construction products themselves: asbestos, heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), halogenated organic compounds, volatile organic substances (VOCs) and odor emissions from construction products; - secondary pollutants generated by the transfer of pollutants to other structural elements or building areas: asbestos dust, PCBs, PAHs, solvents and such, generated by chemical reactions in air or on surfaces; - contaminations due to the use and operation, for example from building preservation (such as cleaning, disinfection or pest control), production processes (such as tetrachloroethylene used for dry cleaning, toluene used in printing works), microbial contamination in consequence of water damage; - influences of pollution from geogenic or anthropogenic sources (such as particles and dust, pet or vermin allergens, soot); - biological hazards (potential sensitizing, toxic or infectious effects of mould, rests of rodents, vermin, pigeon droppings); - transient pollution and emissions caused by use: anthropogenic carbon dioxide, bodily exhalations, humidity, odors (such pollution and emissions shall be taken into account, when following the remediation and due to the tighter building envelope, the natural exchange of air is no longer possible); - pollutants generated in the environment and that enter the building by infiltration and ventilation. For specific issues, the analysis of the indoor air quality may be expedient in order to undertake an investigation on present pollutants. The following objectives should be achieved by means of the document: - provision with specifications for the structured approach, - collection of data and information as a basis for an extended assessment, - support in the preparation of a pollutant register, - achievement of legal certainty for the customer and the provider of services. The results of the investigation form the basis for an evaluation in respect to the use, remediation or demolition of the building. An evaluation regarding the use may include hygienic and comfort parameters (for example in case of building passes). As assistance when carrying out the site visit of the buildings, Annexes A to D provide detailed lists comprising important points on the following subjects: Example of a building-related pollution investigation, VOCs and their possible sources as well as building-related VOC sources , sampling plan for pollution investigation, sampling record for investigation of pollutants in buildings. The document is directed at representatives of supervisory authorities, inspection bodies, professional associations, architecture and planning offices, structural engineering and demolition companies as well as representatives of interior designers, the furniture industry, paint industry, adhesives industry or other branches producing items for interior spaces. The International Standard has been prepared by ISO/TC 146/SC 6 "Indoor air", Working Group 19 "Investigation of constructions" in collaboration with CEN/TC 264 "Air quality" (ISO lead). The secretariats of SC 6 and WG 19 are held by DIN; the chairmanship of SC 6 is held by Japan. The responsible German body involved in its preparation was NA 134-04-04-01-01 AK "Spiegelgremium zu ISO/TC 146/SC 6/WG 1, WG 2, WG 15 und WG 19, Planung von Innenraumluftmessungen" ("national mirror committee for ISO/TC 146/SC 6/WG 1, WG 2, WG 15 and WG 19, Planning of indoor air measurements").

Document: references other documents

Document: referenced in other documents

Responsible national committee

NA 134-04-04-01 UA - Planning of indoorair analyses  

Responsible european committee

CEN/TC 264 - Air quality  

Responsible international committee

ISO/TC 146/SC 6 - Indoor air