Indoor Air Quality For Commercial Buildings
We spend an average of 80% of our time inside a building. The quality of indoor air is, therefore, a major issue, as much or even more as the quality of the outdoor air. That is the reason for the topic of Indoor Air Quality For Commercial Buildings.
The development of buildings with high environmental and energy performance poses a double challenge: to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, in particular by limiting the losses associated with ventilation while maintaining a good quality of air.
There are two main principles to ensure good indoor air quality: limit the emission of pollutants and ensure efficient air exchange.
Health issues
Serious health problems can be caused by poor indoor air; including asthma, breathing problems, headaches. Indeed, many pollutants can deteriorate the quality of the air we breathe. These can be biological or chemical in nature.
Biological contaminants are microorganisms such as mold, bacteria, and mites, which can be breathed and delivered to the lungs.
Chemical contaminants, which are gases or particles released into the air by combustion devices. These can be; carbon monoxide, some insulation, tobacco smoke, cleaning products, and some building materials containing asbestos.
Commercial air quality solutions
Choose low-emitting materials and products
Construction and decoration materials in contact with indoor air (insulators, glues, paints, varnishes and stains, floor coverings, etc.) have been subject to mandatory labeling since 2012, which indicates their pollutant emissions. The emission level is indicated by a class ranging from A + (very low emissions) to C (high emissions). So companies should focus on low-emitting materials and products.
The occupants of the building also have a major role on indoor air quality: choice of cleaning products, furniture, ventilation, HVAC maintenance, the presence of pets, cigarette smoke, candles, etc.
Ensure an efficient air exchange
Some old commercial buildings are not usually equipped with a ventilation system. When renovating these buildings, one must be vigilant because the insulation of walls and windows can make buildings airtight and lead to pathologies such as the appearance of mold. It is therefore often necessary to put in place a permanent ventilation during the energy renovation of these buildings.
Monitoring and tests
Often schools and other commercial buildings, especially those with children, are required to regularly monitor indoor air quality. These buildings ventilation must be controlled (openings, ventilation) and a pollutant measurement campaign must be carried out unless the establishment has implemented an action plan on indoor air quality.
At CallCMC, We are experts in indoor air quality
At CallCMC Inc, our air quality specialists analyze all aspects of indoor air quality in your environment through a variety of tests. Our indoor air quality services include general building review and environmental control of airborne contaminants such as molds, allergens, bioaerosols, total particulate matter (such as asbestos), volatile organic compounds (VOC), and other chemical contaminants.
We have state-of-the-art measuring instruments and equipment that allow us to perform advanced analysis of indoor air quality and ultimately make it better.
