Most of us will spend about half of our life in a work or office environment. It is important that we make commercial buildings safe and comfortable for workers. Ventilation is something that many people do not think about, however poor ventilation can lead to many problems for both the building itself and your employee’s health.
Problems associated with poor ventilation
Concentration of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
When there is insufficient air movement within a room or building, there is a decrease in oxygen and an increase in carbon dioxide. This can make the air seem stuffy, which can potentially cause headaches and lethargy amongst workers. It takes as little as 0.02% excess carbon dioxide in a building compared to the outside air for a person to notice these air conditions.
Humidity and temperature
Ensuring an optimal temperature and humidity within a commercial building is essential. Humid conditions or temperatures can influence a person’s physical and mental activity. When workers are comfortable, they will work more effectively.
Harmful substances and dust
Dust can easily build up in a building with poor air ventilation. Added to the normal everyday sources of odours, cigarette smoke, pollens and pollutants in the air, this can certainly affect a worker’s health. Cleaning products can also increase contamination of the air.
How to improve air quality
Now that we’ve noted what could go wrong, let’s look at what can be done to improve the air quality within commercial buildings and help achieve optimal conditions within the workplace.
Naturally
Letting in fresh, natural air can be a good way to increase the airflow within a building and help alleviate pollutants from the air. However, natural ventilation can also be unpredictable and uncontrollable. However, this type of ventilation is not possible without the correct flow of wind outside and suitable weather conditions.
Spot ventilation
Like the exhaust fan above the stove in the kitchen or the air vent in the bathroom, spot ventilation can work to help reduce the amounts of moisture and air pollution at the source. This works well for areas within a commercial building that require extra air flow, such as kitchens or near equipment such as photocopiers and printers.
Whole-building ventilation
If you believe natural and spot ventilation will not be sufficient to ensure good quality air within the building, whole-building ventilation systems can provide an alternative, with controlled ventilation. These systems will utilise fans and duct systems to remove stale, dusty, polluted air and replace it with fresh, clean air throughout the building.
Controlling air pollutants
Many air pollutants are generated by the very products that are in your office building. This can include furniture, the building itself, residual paint, carpets, and cleaning materials. By choosing furnishings that don’t have strong odours or finishes, such as wood furnishings with protectants and polishes, you can start to eliminate some of the air pollutants. It is also advised to choose ‘green’ cleaning products and avoid letting in outside air that is close to contaminants like heavy traffic, building exhausts, plumbing vents, and generators.
If you’re looking for a cleaner, healthier, and more energised work environment, consider your ventilation and how you can make improvements to it. Contact us today to see how we can help you!
