Feedback sought on proposed IAQ standard

The proposal, submitted by AIRAH, has received strong support from a wide range of industry stakeholders who have long lamented the lack of an operational standard in Australia that specifies parameters and threshold values for acceptable indoor air quality.

The project would develop a technical specification, envisioned as TS 1668.5. This would provide a “standard” specification that could be adopted by those wanting to lead the way in IAQ.

The specification is initially intended to apply to occupied spaces within non-residential buildings, including schools, residential and aged care, hotels, retail and hospitality and offices.

It would address indoor air quality as it relates to airborne contaminants relevant to occupant health and building resilience. These include particulate matter, mould and moisture-related contaminants, bushfire smoke and other pollutants originating outdoors, and other factors or contaminants to be decided by the soon-to-be-formed technical committee.

In terms of solutions, the specification is likely to focus on performance-based outcomes rather than purely prescriptive solutions. The intention is to apply a technology-agnostic approach, subject to safety and performance in line with existing global standards. The project would also look to existing global standards for ensuring acceptable indoor air quality, such as ASHRAE 241.

Although technical specifications are voluntary, they can be called up in codes of practice, ratings schemes and other instruments, making this a potentially vital document.

“A standard specification for Australian indoor air quality will allow us to adopt and apply IAQ initiatives more consistently and close the gap in how IAQ is achieved and recognised,” says Brett Fairweather, F.AIRAH, who is among a group of industry experts involved in developing the proposal.

Feedback can be submitted until July 1, 2026.

The full proposal can be accessed through the Standards Australia portal.

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