4 ways to improve indoor air quality: What all facility managers & building owners need to know

The Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating AIRAH is calling for nation-wide legislation to mandate minimum levels for indoor air quality for publicly accessible buildings. In other words, non-residential buildings like offices and shopping centres where people congregate but have little/no control over the indoor air they consume. This push to legislate was a key topic at AIRAH’s indoor air quality conference, attended by our Senior Mechanical Engineer Clint Walker .

“Currently, standards are in place regarding ventilation, filtration and air conditioning but we need to mandate minimum benchmarks for things like exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide,” Clinton explains.

Whilst we’ve long known the health risks of invisible airborne threats like mould, the pandemic further highlighted the dangers of inhaling contaminated indoor air. But where to from here? Whilst advocating for changes to legislation, Clinton urges facility managers and building owners to consider the following …

1.     Know your building — inside & out

Statistics show that each of us eat around 1kg of food per day, and we drink about 2kg of liquids. Meanwhile, we breath approximately 15kg of air and spend around 90% of our time indoors!* So Clinton says it’s crucial we’re well informed about what we’re inhaling. 

“Education is vital,” he says. “Take the time to research what health risks (and financial costs) could be associated with poor-quality indoor air in your building. Then seek professional support to help you mitigate those risks.”

2.     Stay on top of maintenance

“Hold your maintenance team to account,” Clinton urges. “A set-and-forget approach can have serious repercussions for the quality of your indoor air and the occupants who inhale it.” 

3.     Plan for changing weather conditions

According to Clinton, building design and maintenance need to stay ahead of the impacts of climate change. In Brisbane alone, it’s predicted that by 2030 the city’s ‘wet season’ will last up to five months. “Without adequate planning for increased dehumidification, buildings could be rife with mould issues,” Clinton warns.

4.     Conduct regular audits

Natural ventilation outlets and mechanical air-conditioning units should be regularly inspected to ensure optimal performance. Additionally, if mould or other contaminants are found, there may be a need for these to be sampled and tested in a laboratory. Consulting with building occupants, to fully understand how they use indoor spaces, is also key. From there, reports and remediation measures can be recommended. 

Want to learn more about your building’s indoor air quality? Clinton and the Ashburner Francis team welcome your enquiry via hello@ashburnerfrancis.com.au

*https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8672270/