"ASHRAE believes that ASHRAE 62.2 provides a higher standard for ventilation and indoor air quality than the current requirements of the International Residential Code," said Bruce Hunn, ASHRAE's director of technology.

In its proposal, ASHRAE noted that the standard was developed to ensure healthy indoor air in residences.

"The most effective strategy for minimizing indoor air exposure to pollutants is to prevent them from being released into the air in the first place," according to ASHRAE. "To this end, the standard requires source-control measures that exhaust pollutants from specific rooms before the pollutants enter the rest of the household. In addition, whole-house ventilation brings fresh air into the house, diluting pollutants that are difficult to control at the source."

The IRC is considered a comprehensive model code for homebuilding that brings together all building, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical provisions for one- and two-family residences.

The proposed changes are scheduled to be evaluated in spring 2005 for possible inclusion in the 2006 code. ASHRAE's proposals to the ICC can be found at www.ashrae.org under the Technology & Standards link in the Standards Activities section labeled "Code Interaction."

Publication date: 10/11/2004