Advancing Healthier Buildings
On October 17, leaders from across the building, health, and policy sectors will convene on Capitol Hill for the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Congressional Briefing Series, an educational event designed to inform policymakers about the critical role indoor environments play in public health, learning outcomes, and economic productivity. Laurie Gilmer, P.E., CFM, FMP, SFP, LEED AP, President of FEA, will participate in the session on behalf of ASHRAE, lending her expertise on building operations, performance management, and sustainability.
Educating Policymakers on IAQ and Its Impact
The briefing will provide Congressional members and staff with evidence-based insights into how indoor air quality affects human health, cognitive performance, and workplace well-being. Participants discussed the importance of policies that promote healthier indoor environments, including IAQ monitoring, ventilation strategies, and technological innovations that can improve air quality across schools, workplaces, and public facilities.
Gilmer will join a panel of experts to highlight how data-driven facility management and integrated building systems can support long-term IAQ improvements. Drawing on her experience with both FEA and ASHRAE, she will focus on the need for cross-sector collaboration – bridging engineering, health sciences, and policy – to create sustainable frameworks for clean indoor air.
Collaboration Across Coalitions
The event brings together a wide network of organizations committed to improving indoor environments. Coalition partners supporting and distributing information about the briefing included:
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High Performance Building Coalition
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Healthy Workplaces Coalition
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National Academies of Sciences Health in Buildings Roundtable
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Energy Efficiency Strategy Group
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NIBS Consultative Council
By reaching these coalitions and Congressional staff, the briefing aimed to build a shared understanding of the connection between IAQ and national priorities—from public health resilience to energy efficiency and workforce productivity.
A Continuing Commitment to Healthy, Resilient Buildings
FEA is proud to support Laurie Gilmer’s participation in this important effort to advance science-based IAQ practices at the national level. Her contribution reinforces FEA’s ongoing commitment to helping organizations create safe, efficient, and resilient buildings that enhance occupant well-being and operational performance.
As awareness of IAQ’s role in health and productivity continues to grow, events like this Congressional briefing serve as essential opportunities to shape informed, effective policy. Through partnerships with ASHRAE and allied organizations, FEA remains dedicated to sharing expertise that helps create healthier spaces for all.
