The other week, groundhog “Phil” announced that we are going to be experiencing another 6 weeks of winter.  For many, that means more time inside, both at work and at one’s leisure.  Keeping your hands washed, taking your vitamins, and covering your mouth when you cough are solid starts to staying well within closed quarters…but what about your “IAQ”?

Indoor air quality (IAQ) plays a large role in how a building performs and how you and others may experience the space when speaking about health, comfort, and overall work productivity.  Within the CDC’s “Building Air Quality Action Plan”, the quality of air inside a building has a direct impact on occupant well-being and the performance of the facility. For building owners & facility managers, IAQ is a critical piece of being a responsible building manager.

Your IAQ

Indoor air quality simply refers to the current condition of the air within a building and its effect of those that occupy said space.  With a poor IAQ, you, your staff, or your family are potentially prone to having unnecessary headaches/fatigue, breathing irritation , or heightened asthma symptoms. These issues can lead to increased complaints, unnecessary sickness, and reduced productivity.

Common contributors to poor indoor air quality include:

• Improper balanced ventilation
• Airborne dust and particulates
• Contaminants of the likes of organic growth, mold, or bacteria
• Aged out or poorly maintained HVAC equipment

Because these factors are often interconnected, addressing indoor air quality requires a comprehensive, building-wide approach rather than isolated fixes.

IAQ Planning Matters

The CDC’s Building Air Quality Action Plan states that good air quality doesn’t happen by accident…it requires planning and an ongoing planned service program. Buildings that take a proactive maintenance approach are better equipped to identify issues early.  Effective IAQ planning includes planned system evaluations, proper ventilation management, identifying any and all pollutant sources, and maintaining HVAC systems so they operate as engineered.

For commercial & industrial facilities, investing in your indoor air quality delivers lasting benefits:

• Healthier Occupants
• Improved Productivity Within The Workplace
• Extended HVAC Equipment Life-Span
• A Commitment To Safety & Accountability

Improving indoor air quality starts with the fundamentals of implementing a HVAC maintenance program.  By addressing ventilation, HVAC filtration, and the overall system efficiency, building owners can reduce risk, have a proactive approach to their operating costs, and overall create more comfortable indoor environment.