INDOOR AIR QUALITY Is change in the air?
The shift towards greener energy and solutions can be felt around the world. As the climate crisis draws on, we’ve seen more inspired and impactful projects launched- from electric cars to kinetic dance floors for concerts. Humans are actively looking for more energy-efficient, healthier ways of living. John Barker, managing director of Humidity Solutions and chair of the humidity control group explains why he thinks of indoor air quality when he thinks of a healthier, happier future
Relative humidity chart showing the optimum humidity zones. C
leaning up the entire planet is important, but a simpler, and more efficient start is to clean the room we’re in. We spend between 85-90% of our time indoors, and
approximately 7% in an enclosed vehicle, where we rely on the building designer and internal air control for air quality. Yet, the UK government has no office for Indoor Air Quality Standards. The closest equivalent is the Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) who advise Defra, supported by legislation on some outdoor pollutants. The COVID-19 pandemic brought ventilation and consistent airflow to the forefront of public consciousness, highlighting the improvements it makes in air composition and general health benefits, as well as combatting transmission and infection rates. Increased public awareness and interest in air circulation has led the Schools Air Monitoring for Health and Education
organisation to provide over 1,000 UK schools and education establishments with high-spec air monitoring probes. The study hopes to present its findings shortly and help improve conditions for the 10 million students in education across the UK.
But air is a lifelong need. What can be done to improve the working environment for the 33 million adults in offices and commercial buildings around the country? What can be done to help lower the impact of poor air quality, which is currently linked to 25% of heart attacks, 30% of lower respiratory infections and 40% of COPD cases? Recent calls for set standards and legislation on the acceptable amount of Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide and PM2.5 present the air of public buildings is a step in the right direction.
The first, most obvious method, is air conditioning, something several offices currently offer, especially to C-Suite offices and meeting rooms. The issue lies in the quality of the air being supplied. In these ‘climate-controlled’ offices there is little consideration given to the relative humidity or filtration of the provided air. Too often air is simply pulled from outside, cooled and pumped into the building. This isn’t the breath of fresh air that employers want to provide, but a cooled or heated glut of contaminated air pumped directly into employees lungs.
Of course, as thoughts turn to modern
approaches to a healthier and happier future, especially in commercial and industrial spaces, eco-friendliness and energy efficiency are a key area of concern. Despite their best intentions, employers would not be keen to add another charge to an already lengthy list of workforce- based bills. Air conditioning, even the unfiltered kind, is expensive. To make its introduction a requirement would improve employee health, but could see offices struggle, or even shut under the increased cost of maintaining the workspace. One of the methods to recoup some of the cost is humidity control.
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Good humidity control allows for reduced
energy use, as studies have shown that thermal comfort improves with greater humidity control. 22oC with 30% felt colder and less comfortable to participants than 20oC at 50%RH. The power saved from 2oC reduced heating is greater than the cost of running a power-conscious humidifier unit, allowing building managers to achieve greater climate control and reduce costs. With more environmentally friendly models of humidifiers available, improvement of indoor air quality – not just its temperature – can be both cost-effective and lead to healthier offices and workforces. As a bonus, the lower energy requirement means the heater batteries can also be reduced in size, requiring significantly less space in the Air Handling Unit. Controlled humidity protects profitability and people. Studies have indicated that a stable humidity of 50%RH reduces the transmission of airborne pathogens. By reducing the amount of contaminants in a controlled working environment employers can reduce the number of sick days required by staff. Increased water vapour present in the air through humidity control can eliminate the risk of static discharge, protecting sensitive machinery and the workforce. In addition to creating a more comfortable and welcoming work environment, controlled humidity can reduce rates of eczema, eye irritation and allergen impact. Awareness of the full effects of indoor air quality, and the factors that allow true climate control, will play a large part in the continued health of the workforce. Following the July general election, we’ve seen a number of dramatic changes including a hard push for the UK government’s power grid Net Zero goals by 2030. What this means for Labour’s Clean Air Act, and the future of Air Quality legislation remains unseen, but I remain quietly hopeful. To learn more about how humidity control can help improve your indoor air quality, contact Humidity Solutions experts by calling 01372 571200 or visit
humiditysolutions.co.uk
BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER AUGUST 2024 21
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