Air Quality, Health and Comfort

Construction IAQ Management Plan
Austin Energy used indoor air quality plan during construction to protect the health of construction workers and building occupants. Using this plan prevented dust and pollutants from collecting inside the building.

The plan also included a 2-week, after construction, flush out of the mechanical system. Construction can introduce large amounts of contaminants into a building’s ductwork. If not properly flushed out, they can linger for years, negatively impacting occupant health.

Low-Emitting Materials
Chemicals in adhesives, sealants, paints, carpets and wood products were minimized during the construction. Minimizing use protected the health of construction workers and building occupants.

Many building products emit a certain amount of VOCs, chemical fumes. The fumes can remain long after they are installed. For example, the odor of fresh paint is usually due to these pollutants, which are harmful to human health. Health issues tied to indoor air pollutants have included allergies, asthma, toxic reactions, cancer, brain damage and birth defects.

Indoor Chemical Pollutant Source Control
This building resists the build up of harmful pollutants. The design of the entryway mats effectively removes and controls dirt and pollutants. The janitor closets exhaust fumes from cleaning products.

Elimination of HCFC’s and Halons
This building helps reduce ozone impacts through CFC-, HCFC- and ozone-free mechanical equipment.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) impact the fragile ozone layer. The ozone layer shields the earth from the harmful effects of overexposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Non-Toxic Termite Barrier
A termite screen protects the foundation of this building. It eliminates the need for toxic chemical pest control.

Increase Ventilation Effectiveness
The mechanical system design of the building provides a large amount of fresh air.

Fresh air ventilation is important for occupant health. It flushes out germs, molds, chemicals and other contaminants which may impact people’s health. While 100% fresh, filtered air would be ideal for health, it would take a toll on heating and cooling systems, wasting precious energy. That is why ventilation effectiveness requires careful and creative engineering.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control
This is a non-smoking building.

All Austin Energy and City of Austin facilities are non-smoking. In 199x, City officials passed a smoking ban in effort to protect the health and air quality of City workers and visitors to our public buildings.

Daylight and Views
The design of the Sand Hill Administration and Control Building emits health and comfort. Windows have been carefully located to provide views to the outdoors for most of the occupants.

Office buildings that receive natural sunlight show an increase in worker productivity and health. Natural sunlight in the retail environment has shown increased sales. Daylight is an asset in any building type.