Indoor Air Quality
In the midst of the energy efficient age and global warming concerns the building industry has effectively been forced to place a high priority on energy consumption and conservation. This has lead to both old and new buildings being made more and more efficiently. This in turn has lead to changes in building materials and furnishings used towards a more widespread use of synthetic materials.
However, while a tightly sealed building is more energy efficient it is also susceptible to rapid build up of emissions including volatile organic and inorganic chemical compounds (VOC's) from chemically formulated cleaning products, carpeting, fabrics, pesticides, business machines, bio effluents (from breathing) and airborne microbes. This mixture can lead to significant complaints of poor indoor air quality.
The Law in the UK requires compliance with The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) within the office environment. The HSE's EH40/2005 workplace exposure limits also list a number of substances that have maximum exposure limits in the workplace. There are many compounds that may be present in the office environment that come under these regulations that will not be obviously identified.
Aqua legion have the ability to conduct various tests for a multitude of substances known to be problematic with regards to indoor air quality in the workplace.
Investigations
Our consultant has conducted detailed site investigations and inspections to resolve numerous issues regarding indoor air quality. Our services usually start by doing visual inspection. If permitted, we will also question individuals expressing complaints to further identify their symptoms and the frequency of on-set. The usual items to be reviewed by us include:
- Observation of potential sources of airborne chemical contamination (e.g., engines, chemical processes, neighboring facilities, construction etc).
- Inspection of layout and distribution of air supplies to the spaces.
- inspection of the condition of of the HVAC system and accessible components, such as filters, condensate drip trays, heating and cooling coils, air intakes, air supply and return grilles, duct work etc.
- Observation for evidence of water ingress, excessive moisture or microbial growth.
- Contamination sources near HVAC and air intakes and returns.
A basic air quality survey should cover:
Temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, Sulphur dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, formaldehyde, airborne bacteria, fungi, yeast and moulds, airborne particles and air movement measured against current standards, regulations and guidelines. These are the essential elements required to get a basic understanding of the air quality in the workplace.
However, if needed we can go that step further and conduct very specific VOC analysis, ductwork deposit thickness testing and more when required.
Call us with your air quality queries on 020 8555 3797