Why Safer Housing

General Design Principals

Housing for Sensitive Individuals

All portions of the design, materials and method of application, are evaluated for compliance with the needs of MCS, CS, EI and/or EHS individuals. A critical part of the design process is to utilize the following design principals, in order of importance, for the selection of products and systems.

INNOVATION – In the selection of materials, methods, process and systems we will not just assume that tried and tested forms of construction are appropriate. In all areas of design we innovate and examine different solutions for the building occupant’s need so that we can reduce the sources and strength of contaminants.
ELIMINATION¹ – The first way to assure compliance with the tenant’s needs is to, wherever possible, simply not use offending products. All of our products are selected because they are low-polluting or inert, zero (or at least very low) VOC and magnetically stable. Some examples of Elimination are the use of natural wood floors or ceramic tile instead of carpet or vinyl floor finishes. Plywood and particle boards are replaced with inert breathable sheathings.
SEPARATION¹ – If it is impossible to eliminate a product or system then we will separate it from the living environment. An example is installing electrical and mechanical systems in a separate room accessed from the exterior and protected from the living space by a positive barrier.
VENTILATION¹ – All spaces must be ventilated to assure clean non-toxic living areas. Exhaust within the units will be removed from the closets so that stale air is not allowed to develop. Basement or crawl spaces will have permanent louvers and, if required, mechanical ventilation to stop the growth and infiltration of radon, mold and other toxins.

Outline specifications

General Requirements

· All workers, contractors and visitors will be thoroughly trained in construction for the environmentally sensitive prior to entering the work site.

· During construction special attention is paid to cleanliness and ventilation so as not to leave trace odors or toxins.

· Smoking is prohibited from the site.

· After the building is closed in, the use of aftershaves, colognes, perfumes, scented soaps and detergents and other sources of lingering out gassing is prohibited from the work site.

· All elements will be rain and moisture protected to prevent the development of molds in concealed spaces.

· After construction, a two month period of out gassing will be required. Out gassing will be accomplished by running the mechanical ventilation constantly at high speed.

Foundations – Slab on grade, crawl spaces and basements will be constructed of custom designed concrete mixes that are free of chemical admixtures. All concealed foundation spaces will be ventilated.

Framing - The safe rooms are framed with Douglas fir lumber. The framing is then coated with a Bindan NeoTerrazzo MgO cement and powdered Kaolin or Bentonite clay solution prior to the application of the sheathing to reduce out gassing.

Sheathing - Magnesium Oxide breathable floor wall and roof sheathing installed with fasteners and zero VOC panel adhesive.

Exterior finish - Bindan Neo-terrazzo MgO cement with masonry sand and 2% Kaolin clay brought to slurry for spaying.

Roofing Material – Optional metal standing seam roofing over rosin paper, clay tiles or cement fiber shingles over felt paper with metal trim are available to eliminate or reduce out gassing.

Doors, windows and trim are solid hardwood with zero VOC finishes

Interior paint – Low toxin, zero VOC, water based paints.

Flooring material – unfinished sub floor, nail down hardwood or tile with natural grout.

Caulking – If needed, caulking will be 100% silicone. Caulking will be kept to absolute minimums.

Heating and cooling - Three options are available for heating and cooling the safe room.

1. Inside the wall or floor radiant piping with the furnace and chiller located in an auxiliary structure.

2. Sealed water baseboard heating units with a remote furnace and controls. No Air conditioning available.

3. Package ductless split system heat pump with the condenser and chiller located on a remote pad.

Temperature controls will be mounted in the mechanical room with an air temperature sensor in the dwelling.

Mechanical Ventilation - All outside air will be captured from the clean side (upwind) of the structure. Intake air will be filtered and tempered. Exhaust will be ducted to the opposite side of the structure. Exhaust will be captured from dead areas such as closets and laundry areas. The make up air system will have a two speed fan and automatic controls. The fan will run at high speed (adequate to provide 5 air changes per hour) for a period each day to cleanse the dwelling. The rest of the time the fan will run at a lower speed to provide a minimum air change of 15cfm per occupant. The kitchen and bathroom exhaust will be separate exhaust fans, remotely located and interconnected with the ventilation system. Upon demand the ventilation system will switch to high speed to provide make up air for the kitchen or bathroom exhaust fan.

Electrical - Electrical panel and disconnect will be located in the mechanical room. All wiring will be installed in flexible metal conduit with an insulated and isolated ground wire (MC Cable) to minimize electromagnetic fields. Demand cutoff switches will be provided on most of the circuits especially in the bedroom. Lighting will be incandescent. No lights with ballasts will be allowed due to electromagnet interference.

^1. Building a new Healthy House by John Bower – The healthy House Institute, 430 N. Sewell Road, Bloomington, Indiana 47408 - www.hhinst.com