ATLANTA — An emphasis on the growing importance of indoor air quality has led to development of an IAQ certification program and common “standard of practice” principles for the industry launched last year.

According to the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA), “A training and certification program was developed and implemented in a first attempt to establish a common language within the IAQ industry, so that each trade would be able to communicate the ‘standard procedure’ available for a client’s facility.

“Establishing ‘standard practice’ principles in the industry properly informs the client during the consultation phase to specific limitations and boundaries each trade carries that need to be observed.”

Certification continues to be a topic for the upcoming 1999 Educational Conference and Meeting at the Atlanta Marriott North Central, to be held here Sept. 24-25.

Particle house

Another popular returning feature will be the IAQA Particle House, which will take attendees through a full-scale model and ask them to tackle and resolve IAQ problems in a typical building situation.

According to the association, “The Particle House is a mobile educational display center that is used to illustrate strategies and concepts emerging in the IAQ arena. This display is divided into two equal-sided compartments.

“Although many people have studied concepts of IAQ in the past, IAQA wants to be certain that actual demonstrations have been conducted for you to fully visualize the procedures, equipment, and principles commonly used in the industry.”

This year, the Particle House will feature new pressurization demonstrations, as well as a building envelope presentation by IAQA members Andy Äsk and Ron Bailey.

Keynote speaker is Barney Burroughs, of Environmental Design International, on the impact of ASHRAE 62-89 on the future of IAQ disciplines.

For more information contact IAQA headquarters at 407-332-7002; 407-332-5319 (fax); iaqa@hotmail.com (e-mail).