BOC Indoor Environmental Quality and Safety 2

Question 1

An indoor CO2 reading about 700 ppm above the outdoor level roughly corresponds to what outdoor air rate per sedentary occupant?

Accepted Answer

15 cfm per person

Answer

At steady state, a CO2 differential of about 700 ppm indicates roughly 15 cfm of outdoor air per sedentary person.

Question 2

Which ASHRAE standard defines conditions for human thermal comfort in occupied spaces?

Accepted Answer

ASHRAE Standard 55

Answer

ASHRAE 55 specifies the combinations of temperature, humidity, air speed, and other factors that produce acceptable thermal comfort.

Question 3

What indoor relative humidity range is generally recommended to limit mold growth and dust mites while avoiding overly dry air?

Accepted Answer

30% to 60%

Answer

Keeping RH between about 30% and 60% limits microbial growth and dust mites without causing dryness complaints.

Question 4

Which situation is best described as a building-related illness rather than sick building syndrome?

Accepted Answer

An employee is diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease traced to the cooling tower

Answer

Building-related illness has clinically diagnosable symptoms with an identifiable building source, such as Legionella from a cooling tower.

Question 5

To reduce Legionella growth in domestic hot water systems, at what minimum temperature should water heaters typically store water?

Accepted Answer

140°F (60°C)

Answer

Storing hot water at 140°F (60°C) or above suppresses Legionella, which grows best between about 77°F and 113°F.

BOC - Building Operator Certification Practice Test