PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE GUIDANCE

This guidance is aimed at helping to improve practice in design and construction procurement in relation to urban air pollution issues. It explains how more sustainable design and construction and pollution control are likely to be sought through the planning application process. An introduction is given to air pollution issues that the building design project team will need to be aware of when considering building developments. These include:

■ minimising the impact of outdoor air pollution on indoor air quality,

■ minimising the impact of building emissions (eg emissions from exhausts, boiler flues, and industrial and chemical processes) on air quality of the outdoor environment,

■ minimising pollution from construction and demolition processes.

Guidance is given on how to address these issues during the building design and construction process, thus helping to avoid planning delays and consequent costs.

Industry collaboration is also encouraged, by giving guidance on which sectors need to be involved during the various stages of the process.

This guide is applicable to all types of buildings from new build to refurbishment projects and is particularly aimed at:

■ urban commercial developments,

■ industrial developments,

■ public buildings, including schools.

Specialised environments, such as hospitals, are outside the scope of this guidance. Although indoor air quality is influenced by both outdoor and indoor sources of pollution, the impact of indoor sources on indoor air quality is also outside the scope of this guidance.