ASTM D5791-23
(Guide)Standard Guide for Using Probability Sampling Methods in Studies of Indoor Air Quality in Buildings
Standard Guide for Using Probability Sampling Methods in Studies of Indoor Air Quality in Buildings
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Studies of indoor air problems are often iterative in nature. A thorough engineering evaluation of a building (1-4)3 is sometimes sufficient to identify likely causes of indoor air problems. When these investigations and subsequent remedial measures are not sufficient to solve a problem, more intensive investigations may be necessary.
5.2 This guide provides the basis for determining when probability sampling methods are needed to achieve statistically defensible inferences regarding the goals of a study of indoor air quality. The need for probability sampling methods in a study of indoor air quality depends on the specific objectives of the study. Such methods may be needed to select a sample of people to be asked questions, examined medically, or monitored for personal exposures. They may also be needed to select a sample of locations in space and time to be monitored for environmental contaminants.
5.3 This guide identifies several potential obstacles to proper implementation of probability sampling methods in studies of indoor air quality in buildings and presents procedures that overcome those obstacles or at least minimize their impact.
5.4 Although this guide specifically addresses sampling people or locations across time within a building, it also provides important guidance for studying populations of buildings. The guidance in this document is fully applicable to sampling locations to determine environmental quality or sampling people to determine environmental effects within each building in the sample selected from a larger population of buildings.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers criteria for determining when probability sampling methods should be used to select locations for placement of environmental monitoring equipment in a building or to select a sample of building occupants for questionnaire administration for a study of indoor air quality. Some of the basic probability sampling methods that are applicable for these types of studies are introduced.
1.2 Probability sampling refers to statistical sampling methods that select units for observation with known probabilities (including probabilities equal to one for a census) so that statistically defensible inferences are supported from the sample to the entire population of units that had a positive probability of being selected into the sample.
1.3 This guide describes those situations in which probability sampling methods are needed for a scientific study of the indoor air quality in a building. For those situations for which probability sampling methods are recommended, guidance is provided on how to implement probability sampling methods, including obstacles that may arise. Examples of their application are provided for selected situations. Because some indoor air quality investigations may require application of complex, multistage, survey sampling procedures and because this standard is a guide rather than a practice, the references in Appendix X1 are recommended for guidance on appropriate probability sampling methods, rather than including expositions of such methods in this guide.
1.4 This standard does not address non-probability sampling approaches. Non-probability sampling approaches may be needed, such as worst-case sampling, range finding sampling, and screening sampling as inputs to help guide and inform probability sampling methods.
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5791 − 23
Standard Guide for
Using Probability Sampling Methods in Studies of Indoor Air
1
Quality in Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5791; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This guide covers criteria for determining when prob-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
ability sampling methods should be used to select locations for
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
placement of environmental monitoring equipment in a build-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
ing or to select a sample of building occupants for question-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
naire administration for a study of indoor air quality. Some of
the basic probability sampling methods that are applicable for
2. Referenced Documents
these types of studies are introduced.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2 Probability sampling refers to statistical sampling meth-
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
ods that select units for observation with known probabilities
Atmospheres
(including probabilities equal to one for a census) so that
statistically defensible inferences are supported from the
3. Terminology
sample to the entire population of units that had a positive
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide,
probability of being selected into the sample.
refer to Terminology D1356.
1.3 This guide describes those situations in which probabil-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ity sampling methods are needed for a scientific study of the
3.2.1 census, n—survey of all elements of the target popu-
indoor air quality in a building. For those situations for which
lation.
probability sampling methods are recommended, guidance is
3.2.2 cluster sample, n—a sample in which the sampling
provided on how to implement probability sampling methods,
frame is partitioned into disjoint subsets called clusters and a
including obstacles that may arise. Examples of their applica-
tion are provided for selected situations. Because some indoor sample of the clusters is selected.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—Data may be collected for all units in
air quality investigations may require application of complex,
multistage, survey sampling procedures and because this stan- each sample cluster or, when a multistage sample is being
selected, the units within the sampled clusters may be further
dard is a guide rather than a practice, the references in
Appendix X1 are recommended for guidance on appropriate subsampled.
probability sampling methods, rather than including exposi-
3.2.3 compositing samples, v—physically combining the
tions of such methods in this guide.
material collected in two or more environmental samples.
1.4 This standard does not address non-probability sampling
3.2.4 expected value, n—the average value of a sample
approaches. Non-probability sampling approaches may be
statistic over all possible samples that could be selected using
needed, such as worst-case sampling, range finding sampling,
a specified sample selection procedure.
and screening sampling as inputs to help guide and inform
3.2.5 multistage sample, n—a sample selected in stages such
probability sampling methods.
that larger units are selected at the first stage, and smaller units
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
are selected at each subsequent stage from within the units
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this selected at the previous stage of sampling.
standard. 3.2.5.1 Discussion—For assessing the indoor air quality in a
population of office buildings, individual buildings might be
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air
2
Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.05 on Indoor Air. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2023. Published September 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2017 as D5791 – 95 (2017). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D5791-23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, P
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5791 − 95 (Reapproved 2017) D5791 − 23
Standard Guide for
Using Probability Sampling Methods in Studies of Indoor Air
1
Quality in Buildings
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5791; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide covers criteria for determining when probability sampling methods should be used to select locations for placement
of environmental monitoring equipment in a building or to select a sample of building occupants for questionnaire administration
for a study of indoor air quality. Some of the basic probability sampling methods that are applicable for these types of studies are
introduced.
1.2 Probability sampling refers to statistical sampling methods that select units for observation with known probabilities (including
probabilities equal to one for a census) so that statistically defensible inferences are supported from the sample to the entire
population of units that had a positive probability of being selected into the sample.
1.3 This guide describes those situations in which probability sampling methods are needed for a scientific study of the indoor air
quality in a building. For those situations for which probability sampling methods are recommended, guidance is provided on how
to implement probability sampling methods, including obstacles that may arise. Examples of their application are provided for
selected situations. Because some indoor air quality investigations may require application of complex, multistage, survey
sampling procedures and because this standard is a guide rather than a practice, the references in Appendix X1 are recommended
for guidance on appropriate probability sampling methods, rather than including expositions of such methods in this guide.
1.4 This standard does not address non-probability sampling approaches. Non-probability sampling approaches may be needed,
such as worst-case sampling, range finding sampling, and screening sampling as inputs to help guide and inform probability
sampling methods.
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.05 on Indoor Air.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2017Sept. 1, 2023. Published October 2017September 2023. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 20122017
ɛ1
as D5791 – 95 (2012)(2017). . DOI: 10.1520/D5791-95R17.10.1520/D5791-23.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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D5791 − 23
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this guide, refer to Terminology D1356.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 census, n—survey of all elements of the target population.
3.2.2 cluster sample, n—a sample in which the sampling frame is partitioned into disjoint subsets called clusters and a sample of
the clusters is selected.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—
Data may be collected for all units in each sample cluster or, when a multistage sample is being selected, the units within the
sampled clusters may be further subsampled.
3.2.3 compositing samples, v—physically combining the material collected in two or more environmental samples.
3.2.4 expected value, n—the average value of a sample statistic over all possible samples that could be selected using a specified
sample selection procedure.
3.2.5 multistage sample, n—a sample s
...
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