National Indoor Air Quality Policy.

The National Indoor Air Quality Policy is a sectoral policy. The primary objectives of this policy are: (i) sustainable design; (ii) assessment and maintenance; (iii) regulation; and (iv) communication. This policy paper aims to inform Cabinet of the status of indoor air quality (IAQ); outline the existing structure for addressing IAQ issues in Barbados; highlight some of the challenges experienced with this current structure; and outline a more appropriate management framework for indoor air quality.
Sustainable design will be carried out to ensure that buildings and ventilation systems are designed in accordance with applicable standards, green building strategies and practices, and taking local climatic conditions into consideration in order to provide a healthy working environment. Applicable national standards will be developed or adopted, implemented and enforced. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standards: Standard 62.1-2013 - Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality, 62.2-2013 - Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings, and Standard 170-2013 - Ventilation of Health Care Facilities will be adopted as guidance documents and modified to Barbadian climatic conditions. Options, such as green building certification programmes similar to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental design (LEED), will be explored. These strategies would all be in keeping with the drive towards a Green Economy and be consistent with the government’s renewable energy policy.
A framework will be developed and implemented for the continuous assessment and maintenance of habitable buildings to prevent conditions that impact negatively on indoor air quality which includes a flexible mechanism to respond to health and safety hazards. Barbados National Standards Institution’s Indoor Air Quality Technical Standard will be implemented to provide general guidance to property managers and building owners on improving the indoor air quality of office premises. This will be supported by mandatory training for property managers in indoor air quality assessment.
The existing regulatory framework will be enhanced such that there is adequate national legislation, standards and enforcement mechanisms which encourage stakeholders to go beyond compliance and emphasizes the shared responsibility of stakeholders. A comprehensive review and update of the Health Services (Building) Regulations will be carried out by the Government to include relevant provisions for vetting ventilating and air conditioning systems. The Guidelines for Good Indoor Air Quality- Code of Practice will be adopted as a national standard and referenced in the Health and Labour legislative instruments to address the operational phase in the life of buildings. Relevant legislative instruments will also be developed that support a system of audits by registered competent persons who will use a structured system of inspections and report findings to the regulatory authorities for enforcement. Regulatory agencies will conduct periodic compliance inspections.
Interactive communication will be promoted amongst all stakeholders to improve the indoor air quality management system. Stakeholders' awareness will be raised on applicable standards, best practices, legislation and policy that support sound indoor air quality management. The regulatory agencies will provide avenues for public consultation and feedback on proposed standards, legislation and policy. This will be facilitated through social media, print and electronic media, focus groups or town hall meetings.