Modern Building Services

26 MODERN BUILDING SERVICES APRIL 2023 FEATURE INDOOR AIR QUALITY As well as this, studies have shown that air quality has a considerable impact on cognitive function. Another study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that raised concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and lower ventilation rates (measured using carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) levels as a proxy) were associated with slower response times and reduced accuracy on a series of cognitive tests 3 . With the average person spending around 90% of their time indoors, monitoring is highly recommended, and people should have the right to know about the quality of air they are breathing in. Updates to regulations For building services engineers, there is now more regulatory support available to guide them in their decisions when assessing air quality and ventilation. Casting back to June 2022, building regulations received one of their biggest overhauls in many years, with Approved Document F, which governs ventilation and air quality standards, substantially updated. Among thewave of alterations, the changes to IAQmonitoring expectations are arguably themost prominent, demonstrating a greater development in the air quality conversation.To paraphrase fromthe document, under point 1.21, it states: “In newbuildings, the following types of occupiable room, unless they are rooms of the size described in paragraph 1.22, should have a means ofmonitoring the indoor air quality.Thismay be achieved using CO 2 monitors or othermeans of measuring indoor air quality.” The new requirements cover habitable spaces where large volumes of CO 2 could be expelled or inhaled – offices, gyms, or rooms with low temperatures or humidity levels to name a few. Certain rooms may not be applicable due to their size, such as those under 50m” and over 320m” in floor area. With such regulations in place, there must now be provision to monitor air quality within new builds. Going beyond this, building management stakeholders need to consider introducing air monitoring measures wherever possible to improve the wellbeing and comfort of occupants. This means not only extending the provisions to rooms not covered by the building regulation updates due to their size but considering existing properties alongside new builds. Long term gains from better air hygiene Instead of seeing the application of air quality monitoring as an additional layer of complication and unwelcome cost, it is important to recognise the advantages that it offers for all parties. The first and foremost of these is the improved health and wellbeing of occupants within the property. By successfully measuring IAQ, an appropriate ventilation strategy can be actioned to circulate fresh air and remove bad pathogens, working to reduce sickness and improve comfort. Looking at it through a commercial perspective, having such data from IAQmonitoring can ensure more efficient ventilation solutions can be designed and installed. In turn, this can reduce the energy consumption and carbon output of the building and improve its overall sustainability rating. Consistent monitoring can also be used to align with internationally recognised certifications like RESET®. Using IAQ and having an air hygiene rating to benchmark a facility’s performance creates a marketable advantage that can lead to attracting more tenants or people to use your space. What makes an efficient IAQ monitor When it comes to using an air quality monitor, as mentioned previously, there are key factors that should be considered to ensure the technology is performing efficiently. For instance, as set out in updated Part F of the building regulations, placement is paramount as they must be at breathing height to guarantee correct readings are gathered. Likewise, it is important to recognise that an IAQmonitor’s key function is tomeasure the volume of CO 2 in the air. However, CO 2 is just one of many contaminants that can harm occupant health and productivity. PM1 and PM2.5, for example, can suspend in the air in the form of dust, dirt, aerosols and bacteria. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and naturally occurring gases, such as Radon, can also present risks of long- and short-term health effects, fromeye and nose irritation through to lung cancer. In certain cases, where buildings reside in Radon affected areas, a bond agreement and testingmust be carried out before the property can be sold. Using an IAQmonitor that can detect such VOCs and notify building controls could potentially mitigate this process. With this inmind, Elta Group has partnered with air quality monitoring specialist Airthings to offer a device able to detect all of the contaminants above while measuring additional IAQ factors, such as temperature, humidity, light, noise and pressure. All data is presented on a highly informative dashboard as the systembehind the monitors is often what determines whether collated data can be used or not. It’s best to seek systems that provide strong analytics to ensure information can be read and conclusions drawn, alongside monitors that alert users to irregular air quality for added safety. Creating a movement toward air hygiene ratings The addition of efficient IAQ sensor technology within buildings, new build and retrofit, is the stepping- stone to demonstrating change. However, having good sensor technology, detecting bad IAQ and recognising its effects is just the start – results need to be acted on. We are committed to supporting the development of the air quality conversation and can assist in the design of regulation compliant air quality monitoring solutions to help building services engineers and managers establish the quality of their indoor air. More information can be found at www.eltafans.com/indoor- air-quality-businesses/