If you operate a commercial facility, air quality is more important than you might think—especially in the era of COVID-19.
Today, air quality testing has never been more important. Air pollution causes millions of premature deaths around the world.
Testing indoor air quality can help you to ensure your building’s safety. It can also help you to comply with building regulations for ventilation.
To learn more about air quality testing and why it’s important, continue reading.
Ventilation in Buildings Matters
Industrial sites and commercial facilities generate a great deal of air pollution. So much so that researchers have discovered that mortality rates are much higher in neighbourhoods near these facilities compared to national averages.
Indoor air pollutants are also a considerable threat to human health, vegetation and animals. They can affect your entire workforce.
The threat of airborne contaminants varies. Depending on the amount of a contaminant and length of exposure, you can find that your employees suffer varying degrees of symptoms.
Building Ventilation and the Coronavirus
Over time, poor ventilation in buildings can prove quite threatening. For example, we now know that COVID-19 can spread by coming in contact with a contaminated surface or infected individual.
However, there’s increasing evidence that the coronavirus can remain airborne for longer than originally believed. What’s more, the coronavirus isn’t the only airborne contaminant threat.
Common Indoor Air Pollutants
Indoor air pollutants can also include gases such as nitrogen oxide and ozone. They could also include particulate matter, such as metals and black carbon.
Some air pollutants linger in your HVAC system. For example, compounds that react only to carbon and hydrogen can fluctuate between a gas and liquid state, depending on the ambient temperature.
The way that contaminants transfer to people varies. The health risks of various contaminants differ as well.
Some airborne contaminants enter the human body through inhalation or digestion. However, other fine particles and gases can penetrate deep into the lungs.
Furthermore, fine particles and gases leave deposits. These deposits can contaminate food and water supplies.
Also, harmful deposits can build up in the body. Over time, they can cause local inflammation and impact human organs. This impact can present itself in one of several ways, including:
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Breathing difficulty
• Compromised immune systems
• Heart damage
• Nausea
• Nervous system damage
• Preterm births
• Stroke
These threats have existed for some time but have not been as obvious. However, with the emergence of the coronavirus, there’s an increase in the cleaning and sanitising of potentially contaminated areas.
Invisible Airborne Workplace Threats
Many kinds of airborne contaminants can place your employees at risk. A combination of things could contribute to poor indoor air quality. Some of the most common threats include:
• Asbestos
• Carbon monoxide
• Mildew
• Mould
• Radon
• Rodent droppings
• Toxic cleaning products
• Elevated Carbon dioxide levels
Over time, a combination of these contaminants may leave a deposit in your HVAC system. Your HVAC system will them spread these contaminants through recirculated air and its performance will decrease.
For this reason, it’s important to schedule regular industrial indoor air quality testing. An experienced ventilation and ductwork service has the right equipment and training to ensure that your air is safe.
It’s a good idea to make indoor air testing a routine part of building safety. By doing so, you can ensure that the air in your facility is healthy and safe and provides a good environment for the occupants or users.
Ventilation Cleanliness
Over time, your ductwork can become contaminated. It’s easyto overlook. People often forget about things that they can’t see.
Still, it’s important to clean the key elements of your HVAC system regularly. These elements include your ductwork, filters and grills. By maintaining these components, you’ll ensure the correct functioning of your building.
It’s also important to conduct regular air quality testing. BESA (The Building Engineering Services Association) establishes standards for ventilation cleanliness. It’s vital to ensure that the internal surfaces of your HVAC system meets BESA standards.
If you operate a commercial facility, it’s important to know how to test indoor air quality. A skilled duct cleaning service will help you to ensure that your facility meets statutory compliance standards.
A service can also help you to ensure your HVAC system is installed correctly. Furthermore, they can help you to maintain a proper regiment of cleaning and maintenance.
An experienced duct cleaning service can provide you with air handling unit cleanliness and condition reporting. A knowledgeable firm can also provide dust and microbial sampling of HVAC services.
Complying With Building Regulations for Ventilation
It’s vital to choose a leader in ventilation hygiene to ensure the air quality of your facility. A company with well-trained technicians can help you meet building regulations for ventilation.
They’ll inspect your HVAC ductwork regularly. Furthermore, a leading ductwork cleaning company will guarantee your ventilation hygiene services.
Regular inspections can help you to eliminate a buildup of dust or contaminants in your HVAC system. By conducting inspections annually, you can ensure that your air circulation system remains safe and efficient.
Your Partner in Clean Air
Now you know more about indoor air quality testing and why it’s important. You’ve also learned how to comply with building regulations for ventilation. What you need now is the leading air duct cleaning firm in the UK.
Ventilation Surveys and Services has helped firms comply with ventilation hygiene and fire compliance for more than a decade.
We’re experts in maintaining safe ventilation in buildings. We provide thorough ductwork cleaning, air hygiene surveying and fire damper inspections.
Contact Ventilation Surveys and Services today at 0808 506 8138 or connect with us online to learn more about our innovative real-time air quality reporting and rapid maintenance turnaround.
