Modern Building Services

32 MODERN BUILDING SERVICES APRIL 2023 FEATURE INDOOR AIR QUALITY It can also help with the adjustments and enhancements required to the HVAC system to combat poor IAQ; the ability to provide real time data and linking with ‘smart’ building technology allows for rapid adjustment of ventilation rates and outside air quantities to cater for situations such as spikes in CO2. Growth in demand The additional growth in Demand Control Ventilation systems, provides opportunities to reduce operating costs in several ways, but ultimately without accurate measuring devices, such gains are limited. A demand controlled indoor climate system is energy efficient as the system delivers exactly what is required. It ventilates and conditions neither too much, which costs energy, nor too little, which adversely affects comfort, but only as much as is needed. Building occupants productivity Having such levels of accuracy provides the real time assurance that the right airflow and ventilation is being achieved in all parts of the building. It also helps avoid low airflows and under ventilation which potentially reduces IAQ and impacts health and performance of building occupants, and the longevity of materials. Indeed, one factor that is frequently overlooked when discussing investments and savings is the productivity of the people who are in the building. Building occupants are more aware than ever of their working environment these days thanks to the availability of extensive data about temperature; air quality; lighting levels etc. on smart phones and other portable devices. Indoor climate and air quality is strongly linked to human wellbeing and performance. With a demand controlled indoor climate and measurement devices, such as WFGs, the indoor climate can be adjusted on an individual level, which has a positive effect on performance. Historically, few employers would have given much thought to the quality of an indoor environment, but with the wide availability of data, employers are starting to better appreciate the quality and productivity implications. A well-ventilated office can double an employee’s cognitive ability. Moreover, studies have found that high levels of carbon dioxide have a significant negative impact on cognitive ability and strategic thinking. This makes a powerful business case for including measures for good air quality as early on in the project as possible, and requires the manufacturer to help with early-stage design as a properly joined up approach is the only way to achieve the best results Carbon neutral targets The drive for SMART buildings and net carbon neutral targets is widening both the scope and necessity to accurately commission and monitor airflows, as reflected in programs such as LEED, BREEAM etc. For example; with LEEDv4 (BD+C new construction), it is possible to obtain 1 Point under EQc1 Outdoor air delivery monitoring Indoor Environmental Quality. This requires provision of a direct outdoor airflow measurement device capable of measuring the minimum outdoor air intake flow. This device must measure the minimum outdoor air intake flow with an accuracy of +/–10% of the design minimum outdoor airflow rate. More information can be found at www.sensing-precision.com