Which acronym corresponds to Outside Air used for ventilation?

• A. OA
• B. IAQ
• C. HVAC
• D. FPT

Answer: (A)

Outside air used for ventilation is abbreviated OA. This term identifies the fresh air drawn from outdoors to dilute indoor contaminants and satisfy ventilation requirements in a building. It’s the input stream the HVAC system brings in to maintain acceptable air exchange, often managed and mixed with return air to achieve the required ventilation rates per standards like ASHRAE.

IAQ stands for Indoor Air Quality, which describes the condition of the air inside a space but isn’t the source of the air itself. HVAC refers to the system that handles heating, cooling, and air movement, not specifically the outdoor air input. FPT refers to a type of testing (Functional Performance Test) used during commissioning, not a term for the air source.