BSEE INDOOR AIR QUALITY


Adversing: 01622 699116 Editorial: 01354 461430


TAKE ACTION ON IAQ Meeng the targets now


We are all


becoming more aware of the dangers of invisible pollutants, both inside and outside our buildings. Steven Booth, Managing Director for Guardian Water Treatment, discusses how to ensure Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is safe – essenal for both human and HVAC health.


outside sources, while also raising the emerging issue of IAQ. People are spending more and more time indoors – up to 90% of the time according to some research – so a hygienic indoor environment will have a big impact on our lifetime exposure to toxic air.


T


Apart from safeguarding occupants’ health by improving and maintaining IAQ the overall performance of heating, ventilating and air handling/conditioning systems will remain efficient, with less chance of disruption and expensive repairs.


System snapshot


To keep levels of indoor air pollution as low as possible, a combination of good ventilation alongside regular monitoring and maintenance of equipment is essential. Poor maintenance can result in bacterial growth in the system, posing the risk of disease spreading through ductwork, as well as dust and grime clogging up the system and affecting efficiency. In the first instance, the quality and cleanliness of indoor air can be assessed by monitoring the following: u Temperature and humidity u Carbon monoxide u Carbon dioxide u Airborne dust particulates u Airborne fungus and pathogens Implementing a regular air monitoring schedule ensures that any problems that do crop up are caught early so the root issues can be identified and dealt with, before any damage is done to valuable equipment, or building occupants. The readings taken during monitoring can be used to draw up a maintenance plan going forward.


Making improvements


uKitchen extract ducts before and aer service.


The quality of air inside our buildings is not fixed; it is affected by many factors including changes to the building’s usage and the number of people occupying it. These factors can be incorporated during the design and specification stage when a building is new, but as the life of the building goes on and new tenants and


he government has addressed the issue of ambient air quality in its Clean Air Strategy which aims to tackle emissions from a wide range of


businesses come in, existing systems must be reviewed and modified to ensure they are appropriate for the new setting.


Some measures to improve IAQ are more straightforward. Space planning is essential to ensure proper airflow; something as simple as ensuring that vents and grilles are not blocked by equipment and furniture can have a big impact. Outdoor air supply is necessary, but action must be taken to protect against external pollutants. When properly installed and maintained, high-grade filters provide a barrier against damaging particulate matter (PM2.5). HVAC thermostats should be in neutral areas, well away from any heat generating equipment that could cause system confusion.


Preventative maintenance


With air quality so essential to our health and wellbeing, ensuring the equipment that keeps it clean is in good working order should be a priority. Health concerns aside, debris- filled air will contribute to system inefficiencies, causing higher energy bills and potential breakdown – a planned and preventative approach to maintenance is key.


At the very least, manufacturer’s instructions must be followed, but we recommend a bespoke approach, based on the environment in which a product is being used. As the saying goes, ‘you have to speculate to accumulate’ and this is never more true than with HVAC maintenance. Leaving things until there is a problem will almost always cost more and when an added impact is potentially causing harm to building occupants, it is a risk no building manager should take. Maintenance of ventilation and ductwork cleaning is also necessary in order to prevent fire; an essential factor in insurance compliance. BSEN 15780 is the British Standard that covers ductwork cleanliness, with the second edition of TR19 recommending regular health checks for Air Handling Units – testing is therefore essential.


Shared responsibility


While we can’t see it, our understanding of air’s impact is a growing concern. The Clean Air Strategy marks an important shift in the collective psyche when it comes to


uTop: The quality and cleanliness of indoor air can be assessed through monitoring.


uAbove: The quality of air inside our buildings is aected by many factors including changes to the building’s usage and the number of occupants.


‘


viewing how air quality affects our lives. Carbon reduction targets are not the only factor, the wider impact on health and the environment is just as important; an approach that may see more people getting on-board as we come to realise that we are all affected by the invisible substances we breathe in.


From specifiers to installers and maintenance staff, the building services sector in particular has a key role to play in improving IAQ. It’s an exciting time for an area of indoor comfort that has remained out of the spotlight for too long – if the proposed Clean Air Strategy goes ahead, the UK will be working towards meeting tougher PM2.5 standards than virtually every other industrialised nation. Inside our buildings we should be looking to meet these targets now.


Guardian Water Treatment provides a range of air hygiene services, including IAQ monitoring, ventilation and ductwork cleaning.


www.gwtltd.com 30 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JULY 2018 VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.bsee.co.uk


The Clean Air


Strategy marks an important shi in the collecve psyche when it comes to viewing how air quality aects our lives. Carbon reducon targets are not the only factor, the wider impact on


health and the environment is just as important.


’


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50