Indoor air pollution is on average 3.5 times higher than outdoor air pollution, yet the consequences of poor indoor air quality (IAQ) are often ignored. The health risks it poses should lead businesses to reevaluate their approaches to ensure they provide clean and healthy indoor environments. Considering most people spend the majority of their time indoors, including the workplace, it is important to take proactive measures to ensure optimal IAQ.
Financial Burden
Dust and mould can easily build up in fans and humidifiers due to insufficient maintenance or poorly planned PPM scheduling. This not only compromises indoor air quality but also forces systems to work harder than necessary, resulting in increased energy consumption and higher operational costs. Computer-aided facilities management software (CAFM) can help FMs optimise maintenance schedules for ventilation systems through asset lifecycle functionality in a number of ways. The software can review past data to highlight the most cost-effective way of maintaining an HVAC system and schedule PPMs for maintenance teams.
Systems like QFM can be integrated with a BMS (Building Management System) so any anomalous readings automatically create a work order for an engineer to investigate. Checklists can be attached to work orders to improve service quality, reminding operatives of the requirements for each asset such as cleaning or changing filters, or ductwork inspections. This insight prevents minor issues from escalating into major problems.
Protecting the Vulnerable
A study conducted within Australian hospitals concluded that an effective IAQ strategy reduced the incidence of hospital-acquired infections by 20%. Inadequate IAQ increases the risk of respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases and the spread of viral infections – a particular concern in buildings such as hospitals and care homes that serve some of our most vulnerable citizens.
It is therefore important to have the capability to measure air pollutants within a building to ensure patient wellbeing and compliance with national air quality standards. Sensors can measure temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels, and can be integrated with CAFM software to record the data or with BMS to take action.
For example, if carbon dioxide levels rise above acceptable limits, indicating poor ventilation. In that case, the system can trigger alerts and make changes, such as increasing airflow or adjusting the HVAC system’s settings. Similarly, monitoring temperature and humidity levels reduces the chance of mould build-up within these systems, taking a proactive approach to limiting poor IAQ.
CAFM software can also be integrated with compliance checklists and best practice schedules around different regulatory requirements, ensuring that businesses across all industries meet the necessary standards.
Workplace Productivity
A study by Harvard found that air quality adversely affects productivity: participants in well-ventilated offices with better IAQ achieved 61% higher marks on cognitive function tests. Concentration and decision-making are impaired, reducing the overall efficiency of employees.
Air pollutants also lead to respiratory problems, headaches and fatigue, leading to an increase of sick days taken. A report commissioned by the UK government revealed that poor IAQ in the workplace costs the country an estimated £15 billion annually in terms of lost workdays and decreased productivity.
By investing in innovative solutions such as CAFM software and integrating with sensors, businesses can not only safeguard the health and well-being of their employees and customers but also enhance productivity and mitigate financial risks associated with poor IAQ.
If you would like to read more about how CAFM software can maintain your HVAC systems to a high standard, contact us here or request a demo.
