The New England Asthma Regional Council
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The New England Asthma Regional Council
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Building
Guidance for Healthy Homes [Download printable PDF version] The Asthma Regional Council (ARC) of New England is committed to reducing the impact of asthma on children and families across New England through the collaboration of health, housing, education and environmental organizations. Modifications in current housing construction and maintenance practices can help minimize conditions that are associated with asthma and asthma triggers. This guidance presents the general principles to help achieve healthier indoor environments, recommends specific building practices, and describes technical resources to support the adoption of these healthy building practices. Background Asthma
is an allergic reaction to certain exposures (“triggers”)
such as dust, mold, pests (cockroaches, rats, mice), pets (cats and
dogs), cold air, and dry heat. Researchers
have estimated that over 40% of doctor-diagnosed asthma in children
under 16 years of age is associated with residential exposures where
these triggers are often present. This guidance presents principles and specific construction practices designed to minimize residential exposures to asthma triggers. Many of these practices also improve energy efficiency. ARC encourages state housing, finance, environmental and health agencies as well as non-governmental organizations and business involved in developing and maintaining housing to implement these building practices, whenever feasible.
Each
home construction and each rehabilitation project presents unique constraints
and opportunities. The measures included here were chosen because the
opportunities to use them occur frequently and they are feasible for
most construction and rehab projects. These measures may need minor
adjustments in specific situations, particularly for projects involving
the rehabilitation of existing buildings. Therefore, on-going training
in healthy homes principles and access to technical consultations for
project designers and builders is critical. Resources for such assistance
are described later is this guidance. An
R or C proceeds each practice and denotes whether it is appropriate
for renovation and/or new construction. The italicized text explains
the rationale for the recommended practice where added description is
appropriate. A
reference to the key resource document used to develop these recommendations
is provided to give users a citation for additional detail and specifications.
The pages referenced in italics are to a pamphlet -- Healthy and
Affordable Housing: Practical Recommendations for Building Renovation
and Maintaining Housing: Before You Design, Build or Renovate (HAH).
This is one of a series of three pamphlets developed by Building Science
Corporation for training sponsored by the ARC, U.S. Department of Housing
and Urban Development, and U.S. Department of Energy’s Building
America Program. The other two pamphlets provide recommendations “Before
You Turn Over a Unit” and “Before You Move In.” The pamphlets
are available on the Building
Science web site. ARC recommends that individuals and organizations
consult these pamphlets when developing and revising building standards
and practices. The pamphlets include the practices listed here and a
broader array of recommendations that will help improve the overall
health conditions for occupants. Dry
and Clean Structures R
& C Install pan flashings on all windows and exterior doors. Apply
window pan flashings over building paper at sill and corner patches.
Flashing helps direct water away from wall cavities and to the drainage
plane. [HAH, p.7] R
& C Avoid putting plumbing in exterior walls. It is easier to
detect and repair leaks in interior walls. [HAH, p.11] R
& C Install hot water heaters in rooms with drains or catch pans
and floor coverings that are not water sensitive. Install easy to use
shut off valves for clothes washers and hot water heaters. These
precautions will minimize damage from leaks. [HAH, p.11] R
& C Use cement board, fiber cement board, or cement plaster as an
air barrier in wet areas such as behind tubs or showers. Do not use
paper-faced gypsum board that can wick moisture. [HAH, p.11] R
& C Seal holes to prevent air flow (e.g., utility walls where they
intersect exterior walls and ceiling). Seal bathtub and shower enclosures
with rigid materials (e.g. sheathing or gypsum board). This minimizes
airflow that can bring in moisture and pests. [HAH, p.15] R
& C Avoid putting duct work and air handlers in attics because of
air leakage. [HAH, p.15, 24] R
& C If basement spaces or below grade spaces (garden apartments)
are likely to be occupied, they should be designed and constructed for
occupancy. They should be dry and have appropriate heating/cooling.
Do not use ceiling basement insulation. Instead, insulate basements
at their perimeters. Install continuous rigid insulation under concrete
floor slabs or above concrete floor slabs coupled with a floating floor.
Insulate the wall assemblies in wet areas with semi-vapor permeable
foam (e.g., rigid foam). These strategies will raise the temperature
of the floor coverings and below grade walls to control mold and dust
mites. Semi-vapor permeable insulation allows the basement wall assemblies
to dry to the interior, releases capillary water to the interior in
a controlled manner, protects interior finishes, and minimizes the growth
of molds. [HAH, p.14, 15] R
& C Insulate cold water pipes. Permeable foam insulation is recommended.
Insulation minimizes condensation in warm temperatures. [HAH,
p.18] R
& C Do not install carpet in wet areas (e.g., bathrooms, laundry
rooms, kitchens, entryways, and damp basements). Use smooth and cleanable
surfaces that do not act as reservoirs for moisture/mold and can be
washed (e.g., vinyl, wood, tile, rubber). Whenever possible, install
smooth and washable surfaces in other rooms/areas (e.g., common areas,
bedrooms, living rooms). Carpet can trap moisture and dust. They
can become a breeding ground for mold; smooth and cleanable surfaces
do not trap moisture and are easier to clean. C
Ensure that all exterior claddings have drainage planes between the
cladding and the house wrap material. Drainage planes provide a pathway
for water to run away from the structure and avoid creating reservoirs
behind cladding. [HAH, p.8] C
Backprime exterior siding materials (paint back, front, edges and ends
of wood siding, cement siding and wood trim). This helps prevent
wood clapboard from absorbing moisture and eliminates a potential water
reservoir. [HAH, p.8] C
Install a capillary break on top of the footing between the footing
and the perimeter foundation wall. A break helps minimize movement
of moisture from the ground into the building assemblies. [HAH,
p.9] Well
Ventilated and Free of Combustion Products and Toxics R
& C Install exterior exhausting fans in bathrooms and kitchens.
Use durable and quiet fans (less than 3 sones). Fans exhaust excess
humidity that can spur mold development. [HAH, p.20] R
& C Install power vented fans or range hoods that exhaust to the
exterior when gas cook tops and gas ovens are present. These fans
remove moisture, odors and other contaminants. [HAH, p.20] R
& C Seal forced air ductwork, particularly on the return side (suction
side). This helps avoid negative air pressures that can draw contaminants
(radon and soil gas) into homes from below grade or smoke and odors
from neighboring units. [HAH, p.21] C
Ventilate attics at the soffits and ridges. [HAH, p.20] Pest
Free R
& C Seal utility openings and joints between openings. Avoid materials
that rodents can chew. Use corrosion proof materials (e.g., copper or
stainless steel mesh). Reducing holes minimizes transit pathways
for rodents and pests. [HAH, p.26] R
& C Seal utility openings and joints between materials. This
minimizes transit pathways for pests. [HAH, p.26] Training
and Technical Assistance We
strongly urge that whenever possible employees involved in designing,
constructing, and maintaining publicly funded housing complete relevant
training. A list of organizations that provide and/or sponsor such training
and technical assistance is provided below. U.S.
Department of Housing & Urban Development U.S.
Department of Energy, Building America Program Non
Profit American
Lung Association, Health House® Program Energy
& Environmental Building Association Maine
Indoor Air Quality Council Rocky
Mountain Institute Other
Resources Terry
Brennan Bill
Turner Technical
Resources
Building
Science Inc. developed these three pamphlets for training sponsored
by the Asthma Regional Council, US Department of Housing and Urban Development,
and US Department of Energy’s Building America Program. The pamphlets
are available electronically at www.buildingscience.com. Energy and Environmental Building Association’s Builder’s Guides (EEBA Guide). The Department of Energy’s Building America Program developed these Guides. Copies are available from Environmental and Energy Building Association, 10740 Lyndale Avenue South, Suite 10W, Minneapolis, MN 55420 952.881.1098; www.eeba.org.
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Asthma
Regional Council - The Medical Foundation - 622 Washington Street, 2nd
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