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ASSESSMENT OF VENTILATION RATES IN 100 BASE OFFICE BUILDINGS
Citation:
Impact/Purpose:
To assess the ventilation system characteristics and ventilation rates in the BASE building study spaces.
Description:
The U.S. EPA's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air studied 100 public and private office buildings across the U.S. from 1994-1998. The purpose of the study, entitled The Building Assessment Survey and Evaluation Study (BASE), was to: a) provide a distribution of IAQ, building, and HVAC characteristics; b) obtain baseline symptom rates; c) establish protocols; d) examine relationships of symptoms; e) assist in developing guidance on building design aspects; and f) develop hypotheses to investigate Sick Building Syndrome. The BASE study provides statistically valid data from a nationwide cross-section of office buildings. Proper ventilation is a critical component of maintaining good IAQ, and the data provide an opportunity to assess the characteristics of building ventilation systems and the ventilation rates provided to the BASE building study spaces.
