While you could attribute it to seasonal allergies, it is also entirely possible that everyone on your team is feeling under the weather because of the indoor air quality, or IAQ, in your building.
It won’t be much longer until everyone starts to feel the sniffles. While you could attribute it to seasonal allergies, it is also entirely possible that everyone on your team is feeling under the weather because of the indoor air quality, or IAQ, in your building. Here are some of the steps you can take to make it better.
Factors That Affect IAQ
The maintenance level of your commercial HVAC system is perhaps the one factor that affects the IAQ in your building more than anything else. In other words, you can’t neglect it. Whenever your system undergoes maintenance, it should fix everything that’s wrong with it; partial repairs can provide a short-term fix, but you will want a long-term solution. System design and operation can also affect IAQ. Plus, the amount of moisture and humidity also affects the air quality, and this is especially true in the fall and winter you need to fight the effects of dry air, making everyone feel unwell. Finally, consider where the strange odors in your system are coming from as well.
Limit the Number of Pollutants
Various pollutants can enter your ductwork can cause havoc for everyone with respiratory problems. Germs count as pollutants, as do cigarette smoke, carbon monoxide, sawdust, and fibers from asbestos that could be released during renovation work. Is another business moving into the same building where you are based? If that’s the case, then it could be the right time to consider upgrading the existing ventilation systems.
Upgrade the Ventilation
Think about the ventilation fan in the bathrooms lined up every few feet on your floor. They are meant to remove foul odors and provide some fresh air in the bathroom, especially given how many chemicals are needed to sanitize the bathroom. Getting more fresh air into your office space can cut down on the number of pollutants that are otherwise trapped inside.
Use More Filters
Replacing the filters attached to HVAC systems, individual units, and the broader network of ducts can also make a tremendous difference. Filters are supposed to clean the air that has been cycling through the building along with purifying the air that comes from outside, which is why they are so important.
Crockett Facilities Can Help!
Crockett Facilities Services, Inc. (CFSI) is committed to helping building owners, property managers, engineers, and facility professionals lower their operating expenses through HVAC preventive maintenance. We can develop a cost-effective, customized preventive maintenance plan for your commercial building that will provide you with peace of mind, improved comfort, and energy savings. Click Here to Request a Quote
To learn more about the importance of HVAC Preventive Maintenance, please contact us at 202.600.2787 or mford@crockett-facilities.com. Our PM contract customers receive priority service with 24/7 emergency service in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest!