Which of the following best describes a construction/start-up IAQ measure?

• A. Increase outdoor air to 100% indefinitely.
• B. Do not test controls to avoid delays.
• C. Use filters, protect materials from moisture, and test controls.
• D. Seal all indoor spaces until occupancy.

Answer: (C)

Construction/start-up IAQ measures focus on preventing contaminants from building up as systems are installed and brought online. The best approach is to use filtration to capture construction dust, protect materials from moisture to prevent mold and material degradation, and verify that HVAC controls operate as intended by testing them during start-up. This combination directly addresses the common IAQ risks that occur during construction and commissioning, ensuring that ventilation and filtration perform correctly before occupants arrive.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: simply increasing outdoor air to 100% indefinitely is not practical or energy-efficient and isn’t how IAQ is typically managed during construction. Not testing controls to avoid delays bypasses essential verification that systems will function as designed. Sealing all indoor spaces until occupancy would trap contaminants and moisture, leading to worse IAQ rather than preventing problems.