The topic of good IAQ is more trending today than ever. Especially during this ongoing pandemic, it has become an absolute necessity to have good indoor air quality in your office premises. The factors affecting IAQ contain dust particles, smoke, bacteria, chemical components, dampness, and foul odor. This can be seen by the physical characteristics of sir such as humidity, air movement consistency, and temperature.
Having a poor IAQ can take a hit on the health and productivity of the employees working there. It is more alarming because these days the modern high-tech offices are now built in a more tight, secluded place increasing the metric of poor IAQ.
- PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF BAD IAQ
A bad IAQ can turn out to be a costly affair for business because it increases the chances of having respiratory issues, headaches, and sinus. The more employees get sick the more business will take a hit resulting in loss of profit and medical expenses.
- LET’S TALK ABOUT THE STEPS WE CAN TAKE TO IMPROVE THIS:
FLOW OF NATURAL AIR
To improve the humidity level, and natural air flow a workspace that has an adequate number of windows, an ducted air conditioning Sydney for common working areas and doors is the need of the hour. A regular weekly drill of opening them will increase the flow of natural air, removes the chances of humidity and fungus, temperature maintenance through natural sunlight can be done. Natural ventilation improves the air quality of the surroundings and kills indoor pollutants.
While this is still underutilized, studies show that our work productivity increases with a touch of natural air and sunlight. Apart from the weekly drill, one can also get the benefits of opening the blinds daily, and sitting in a properly lit, properly ventilated space can help us in long run.
AIR CONDITION SYSTEM
The usage of air conditioners and HVAC systems in many office premises ensures that the air inside the office rooms and corridors are properly recycled. It is important to keep the office premises clean and free of dust particles because these particles are very minute in size and travel in the air causing nasal infections and other respiratory diseases.
However, these days most of the offices rely upon air conditioning Sydney system for private rooms meeting rooms, cafeterias, and seminar halls where the air is recycled constantly and dust particles get absorbed instantly by the filters. These units not only keep the building cool but also focuses on cleaning the air and moving it deep into every corner of the building.
IMPORTANCE OF VENTILATION
IAQ depends largely upon the work of ventilation which should be a well-maintained system replacing used air with fresh air constantly. Although this ventilation isn’t capable enough to remove huge quantities of pollutants they still seem to work and help in reducing the air pollution in the office environments.
The good ventilation system also keeps the bad odor out from the washroom areas. Constant servicing and washing of these ventilators are equally required since the malfunctioning in this can bring negative pressure indoors, compromising the health of employees due to the increase in the number infiltration of pollutant particles in the air.
Insulation material, carpeting, old furniture, and low budget paint inside the office are equally responsible for releasing a small number of chemicals. Make sure the air filters have activated carbon filters needed to remove gas and particles.
USAGE OF PLANTS
Putting plants inside the office and office premises as well helps in making the air quality fresh and lively. Many plants are known for their ability to absorb harmful toxins from the air.
There is a large number of indoor plant options to choose from such as the spider plant (chlorophytum Como sum), golden pothos (Scindapsus aureus), etc. they not only look good but also absorbs toxins, benzene, trichloroethylene, ammonia, formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and xylene from the air.
Researches show that employees love to work around in a lively environment in which there are a lot of small plants and natural sunlight present. Small plants like spider plants can be placed on every desk or room as they are easy to care for and propagate and helps in good breathing.
RESTRICTING SMOKING ZONE
The cigarette is popular amongst the office goers. Many a time the addiction is that much that they get confused between choosing over food or smoke on their break. Smoking in the office premises increases the number of fine particles like carbon mono oxide, formaldehyde, and millions of other chemicals that get inside through vent and air recycle system, causing health issues in the non-smokers.
Although smoking is extremely harmful to an individual, it is one such habit that is not easy to get rid of. To get started, one can switch onto E-cigarettes which is less harmful in comparison to the basic ones. Taking small steps towards improving your bad habits is a good thing to get started with.