Having air that is good quality in your commercial property is important not only for the safety of the people working on the property but also for any customers who may be visiting your business. Poor air quality can lead to breathing problems for the young and elderly, even those who are otherwise healthy but have lung issues. Are you looking to improve the quality of the air on your company property? This post will go over the signs of poor air quality, how poor air quality can impact employee health, how your HVAC system impacts air quality, as well as how to improve indoor air quality on your commercial property.
Defining Poor Indoor Air Quality
Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to when the air on your property has a high concentration of airborne pollutants, particulate matter, and contaminants. Some of these contaminants can include pollen, viruses, mold spores, gasses, air pollution, dust, and dust mites. A high concentration of these contaminants can lead to acute illness or even long-term repercussions from long-term exposure.
Signs of Poor Air Quality
- A persistent unpleasant odor: If you notice a funky or unpleasant smell in your workspace that does not seem to go away, it could be a sign that the air quality in your space is poor.
- Poor ventilation: If there is not adequate ventilation in the workspace, it can lead to poor air quality.
- Dust accumulation: Finding a thin layer of dust throughout your workspace that always seems to come back no matter how much you clean can be a sign of poor air quality.
- Increase in allergies and respiratory illnesses: If you notice an increase in employees who are experiencing allergies or respiratory illnesses, it may be time to consider your air quality.
- Decrease in employee productivity: If employees are not feeling well, then they will not perform at their best, leading to a decrease in productivity.
What Factors Affect Commercial IAQ?
The two most common factors that affect the air quality of your commercial property are indoor pollutants and poor ventilation. Some of these indoor air pollutants include the following.
- Chemical Cleaners: Improperly using cleaning agents can lead to harmful fumes that lead to poor air quality.
- Poor Maintenance of Janitorial Equipment: Janitorial tools such as vacuums can release harmful particles into the air if they are not properly cleaned.
- Your Company’s HVAC System: Poor maintenance of your property’s HVAC system can lead to a lack of ventilation in your space and poor air quality.
How Office Indoor Air Quality Affects Employee Health
Long-term exposure to poor air quality can lead to negative health consequences for your employees. These can range from cold-like symptoms to life-threatening respiratory illnesses. Some of these early symptoms can include the following.
- Dry cough
- Stuffy or running nose
- Sneezing
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Forgetfulness
- Irritability
How to Check Air Quality in the Workplace
There are a few steps you can take to check the air quality of your workplace and catch any issues early on, including:
- Invest in an Air Quality Monitor
- Check for Any Health Symptoms From Employees
- Inspect for Mold
- Invest in Carbon Monoxide Alarms
- Inspect Your HVAC System
- Inspect Your Carpets for Cleanliness
What Is A Good IAQ For My Facility?
There is no one number that your company has to stay under for air quality. Rather, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has different regulations depending on the contaminant and what type of commercial property it is. A hospital has different air quality standards than a hotel. If you would like to test your facility’s air quality, you can get in touch with a contractor who has experience in testing air quality.
Why Your HVAC System May Contribute To Poor IAQ
Your property’s HVAC system circulates all of the air within your building, pulling air in and releasing it back into the space as warm or cool air. Because all of your air goes through the system, if there are any issues with the HVAC system, then it will be circulated throughout the entire building. Contaminants in the filters can be spread throughout the building, and any leaks from the system can also spread rapidly.
Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Commercial Spaces
It is one thing to check the air quality of your space, but what do you do when your air quality is poor? Some indoor air quality solutions for commercial spaces include the following.
- Call an HVAC Company: Inspect your HVAC system and call a professional to check for any potential problems that can lead to poor air quality.
- Seal your Air Ducts: If your air ducts are not properly sealed and leaking air, this can lead to poor air quality.
- Improve Ventilation: Improve the ventilation of your space with open windows, fans, and a circulation of air.
- Invest in Air Purifiers: Air purifiers work to remove contaminants in the air either mechanically or with an activated carbon filter. These can help remove contaminants in the air and improve air quality.
Take Back Control of Your Indoor Air Quality
The indoor air quality of your facility is not only crucial to the health and productivity of employees but maintaining a high air quality can help prevent exposure to harmful pathogens and contaminants. Don’t wait until your workforce begins to fall ill, stay on top of your air quality with routine inspections of your space and HVAC system to catch any issues early and keep your facility going strong!
Looking to work with an HVAC technician to inspect your system for air quality? Andrew’s has a team of expert HVAC technicians ready to help diagnose any issues and provide stellar HVAC repair and installation services in the Phoenix area. Get in touch with us online to schedule an appointment!
General FAQs on Indoor Air Quality
Air quality is determined by measuring the amount of certain contaminants in the air. Each contaminant has a level that is considered dangerous and results in poor air quality.
If you notice an odd smell, an increase in dust everywhere, and an increase in employee illness, these can be signs that you have poor indoor air quality.
You can improve ventilation in your office space with windows and fans, as well as calling a technician to inspect your building’s HVAC system.
To test the air quality of your facility, get in touch with a professional contractor who has experience in performing air quality tests for commercial properties.