Fresh Air, Fresh Thinking
When it comes to air quality, there is nowhere more important than the workplace. At home the environment in which we live is largely within our control. At work the air we breathe and our thermal comfort is provided by others. Small wonder then that a World Health Organisation report suggests that up to 30% of new and refurbished buildings may be subject to excessive complaints relating to indoor air quality. The symptoms include headaches, eye, nose and throat irritation, dry coughs, dizziness and nausea, difficulty concentrating, fatigue and sensitivity to odours.
Since the 1970's as energy costs have risen, so buildings have become more airtight and in many cases the amount of recirculated fresh air has been reduced in order to improve energy efficiency. These reduced rates have been found to be, in many cases, inadequate to maintain the comfort and health of building occupants. Frequently, problems result when the occupants activities are different from that which the building was originally intended.
In retail and the hospitality sector, employers have an additional duty of care towards their staff with regard to passive smoking. Satisfactory air quality and thermal comfort is not just good for employee health, it's good for business too.
In general office environments 4-6 air changes per hour is sufficient to provide circulation and remove volatile organic compounds from furnishings, cleaning agents and biological contaminants.
For further information or technical support, please contact our Renewable Energies Commercial Team on 0845 602 5574.