What "IAQ commissioning" means in practice.
For new commercial fit-outs, IAQ commissioning is a structured pre-occupancy measurement of the indoor air — typically against ASHRAE 62.1 ventilation targets and a panel of contaminants known to off-gas from new finishes (VOCs, formaldehyde, particulates). It's a short engagement that lands a defensible "ready for tenant" report on the punch list.
Why it matters.
New-construction air has predictably high concentrations of certain VOCs — most notably from adhesives, paints, sealants and engineered-wood furniture. These dissipate over weeks. Without measurement, the first occupants get the highest exposure and tend to attribute the symptoms (headaches, eye irritation) to the building permanently — which colors a tenant relationship from day one.
What we measure.
- VOCs — EPA TO-15 panel, active sampling on selected zones.
- Formaldehyde and aldehydes — targeted around new cabinetry and engineered-wood furniture.
- Particulates (PM2.5) — real-time and integrated samples to verify the filtration is performing.
- CO₂ and ventilation rates — to confirm the ventilation system is delivering at ASHRAE 62.1 targets under occupancy load.
- Temperature and relative humidity — within design ranges across the day.
How we run it.
A typical fit-out commissioning takes a day on site after substantial completion. We "bake out" — i.e., run the HVAC at design conditions for a defined period prior to sampling. Sampling captures both unoccupied and simulated-occupancy conditions. The report lands in 5–7 business days with lab data.
What the report says.
Three things:
- Measured values for each parameter, mapped to applicable benchmarks (ASHRAE, EPA, WELL where applicable).
- Any parameter outside expected ranges, with the likely source.
- A recommended pre-occupancy action plan — usually extended HVAC purging, filter replacement, or specific localized remediation.
When to schedule it.
The optimal window is after substantial completion but before tenant move-in. Two weeks of buffer is comfortable. We can scope rush commissioning where the schedule is compressed.