- Author
- Persily, A. K.
- Title
- Ventilation, Carbon Dioxide and ASHRAE Standard 62-1989.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Journal
- ASHRAE Journal, Vol. 35, No. 7, 40,42-44, July 1993
- Keywords
- ventilation | carbon dioxide | standards | air quality
- Abstract
- This article is an attempt to reduce some of the confusion concerning the issues of ventilation, carbon dioxide (CO₂) and ASHRAE Standard 62-1989 that has been evident in recent discussions of indoor air quality. For example, at the last three ASHRAE meetings, there have been programs addressing carbon dioxide, indoor air quality and ventilation. While these programs included some new and interesting material, some of the presentations and remarks from the audience reflected a lack of understanding of the relationship between indoor CO₂ concentrations and ventilation rates and of some important aspects of Standard 62. This article presents a brief discussion of how indoor CO₂ levels are related to ventilation rates, including the use of indoor concentration measurements to determine outdoor air flow rates. The role of carbon dioxide in Standard 62, specifically the significance of the 1.000 ppm guideline, is also discussed. This article primarily addresses mechanically ventilated office buildings, but many of the statements are also relevant to other building types.