WASHINGTON —  A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced legislation that would require a comprehensive review of indoor air quality and HVAC system performance across federal buildings after hazardous wildfire smoke created unhealthy air conditions in the Washington, D.C., region.

Introduced July 22 by Rep. James R. Walkinshaw (D-Va.), along with Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), the Federal Facilities Indoor Air Quality Assessment Act aims to identify indoor air quality and ventilation deficiencies throughout the federal building portfolio.

The legislation follows a weekend in which wildfire smoke pushed the Washington region into Code Purple air quality conditions, indicating air considered very unhealthy for everyone.

If enacted, the bill would direct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive review of federal facilities, including:

• Whether buildings meet applicable indoor air quality and HVAC standards;
• How federal agencies monitor, test, and document indoor air quality;
• The frequency and causes of indoor air quality deficiencies;
• Whether agencies effectively identify and correct indoor air hazards; and
• The qualifications and certifications of workers performing HVAC installation, maintenance, and remediation.

According to the legislation, the Government Accountability Office would submit its findings and recommendations to Congress within 12 months. Federal agencies identified as having material indoor air quality deficiencies would then have six months to develop corrective action plans.

Rep. Walkinshaw said the recent wildfire smoke highlighted the importance of maintaining healthy indoor environments and cited previously identified ventilation issues in federal buildings as a reason for the legislation.

The proposal also emphasizes the role of ventilation, filtration, and HVAC system performance in protecting building occupants during outdoor air quality events, including wildfire smoke.

The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA) endorsed the bill, saying it would help identify HVAC deficiencies throughout the federal building portfolio while improving indoor air quality for public employees and visitors.

"While many public officials are speaking out now due to the hazardous smoke covering many states in our nation, these four members of Congress have advocated for assessing HVAC deficiencies and remediating indoor air quality dangers for many years at the local, state and federal levels, especially in schools, military facilities, and all types of public buildings," said Stan Kolbe, executive director for government and political affairs, SMACNA.  "Our firms are the leaders in the installation of IAQ mechanical systems in existing buildings and facilities and in new public facility construction projects. These highly skilled construction corporations and their skilled workforce know well that countless thousands of public employees and the millions of our citizens who visit public buildings nationwide will benefit from such a valuable federal effort. The Federal Facilities Indoor Air Quality Assessment Act is a vital legislative effort to assess the federal building portfolio and then move quickly to better protect the health and well-being of America’s public employees.”

The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) said the legislation would establish a comprehensive review of indoor air quality conditions across federal buildings while creating opportunities for skilled sheet metal workers to perform ventilation and indoor air quality improvements.

"Ensuring that federal buildings provide healthy indoor environments is essential to protecting occupant health and supporting productivity," said Sarah E. Maston, P.E., BCxP, LEED AP BD+C, President, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). "A comprehensive review of indoor air quality across the federal building portfolio will provide valuable information about how these facilities perform against nationally recognized indoor air quality standards and where improvements may be needed. This legislation demonstrates a commitment to improving the spaces where millions of federal employees and visitors live, work, and conduct business."

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) also endorsed the measure, stating that evaluating indoor air quality across federal facilities would help identify necessary improvements and strengthen workplace health and safety.

For HVAC contractors, the legislation reflects continued federal attention on IAQ, ventilation performance, HVAC system maintenance, and workforce qualifications. If passed, the bill could increase demand for building assessments, HVAC system upgrades, ventilation improvements, commissioning, testing, balancing, and remediation services in federal facilities while reinforcing the importance of qualified technicians and documented compliance with industry standards.