Why is IAQ so Important to Building Management?
From the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) we learn:
The growing proliferation of chemical pollutants in consumer and commercial products, the tendency toward tighter building envelopes and reduced ventilation to save energy, and pressures to defer maintenance and other building services to reduce costs have fostered indoor air-quality problems in many buildings. Occupant complaints of odors, stale and stuffy air and symptoms of illness or discomfort breed undesirable conflicts between occupants or tenants and building managers… So it helps to understand the causes and consequences of indoor air quality and to manage your building to avoid these problems.”
A Breath of Fresh Air – The Effect on Performance
Who wants to arrive at work and be subject to stale air, odors, lethargy, headaches, or congestion? Our place of work should allow us to enjoy the air around us and feel invigorated.
What are some of the symptoms of these unhealthy ‘sick buildings’ experiences?
Acute: These have an immediate onset; such as headaches, runny nose, itchy eyes, etc. But they are usually short term once the exposure ends. However, exposure to bio-contaminants have been known to cause serious respiratory diseases.
Chronic: These are longer-lasting when an employee is exposed to long term or repeated exposures. Some of these can be radon, asbestos, benzene and tobacco smoke.
Discomfort: People will complain of being too hot, too cold, have itchy eye, nose or throat irritation, etc. These could result from pollution, too low humidity, stale air, too high humidity or heat.
What is the top reason for this? Often these indoor pollutants are due to lack of proper ventilation and the presence of pollutants, as well as dirty or plugged air-intake filters or defective dampers.
These, and other building associated poor air qualities, reveal a significant change in people’s ability to concentrate and perform mental or physical tasks.
The EPA categorizes it like this:
Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) – You may have heard of this. It’s a catch-all term for acute complaints. These often occur when the employee is at work, but subside when leaving the building. Investigations often reveal some of the above sources, and are generally easier to eradicate.
Building Related Illness (BRI) – These have causative agents relating to exposure to the building air, such as humidification systems, cooling towers, drain pans or filters, etc. Symptoms may mimic the flu, and lead to serious lung conditions, and other illnesses.
Some of the Key Remedies
Ventilation systems that are poorly designed or maintained, can contribute to Sick Building Syndrome. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that as many as 30 percent of new or remodeled buildings may have unusually high rates of health complaints due to IAQ.
Ventilation requires a balanced combination of moving air into, and out of, a building. There are a number of system strategies to accomplish this.
Air Distribution – Air supply and return vents need to be distanced properly to ensure balance.
Variable airflow – The space conditioning needs of a building may be impaired by reduced or interrupted flow. Cleanliness and distribution, as well as temperature and humidity, must be taken into consideration.
Vent placement – Air supply vents are more effective when placed near sources of pollutants, such as exhaust vents, heavy traffic areas, and dumpsters.
Scheduling – Controls to operate the vent system based on occupancy levels or building hours are critical. Using Co2 sensors can optimize indoor air quality and save energy.
The CDC (Center for Disease Control) says:
The HVAC system includes all heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment serving a building: furnaces or boilers, chillers, cooling towers, air handling units, exhaust fans, ductwork, filters, steam (or heating water) piping. All of a building’s components (walls, ceilings, floors, penetrations, HVAC equipment, and occupants) interact to affect the distribution of contaminants.”
Do you Need Help Evaluating the indoor air quality of your place of business?
The AIHA (American Industrial Hygiene Association) says:
When evaluating consultants, pay particular attention to their professional background in terms of education, professional credentials, the reputation of the firm, and most important, demonstrated success in resolving similar situations. Ask for references.”
At Abel we believe in the importance of providing a safe clean air environment for your workers. Don’t let them dread coming to work, or suffer from annoying or problematic contaminants.
If you are an employee concerned about the air in your workplace, talk to your employer.
Call us with any questions, or to set up an appointment. 952-472-2665 or Contact Us