These problems can occur in both naturally ventilated offices and in air conditioned spaces. The first step is a site survey which will include monitoring for the common indoor air pollutants. These include combustion products from boilers, gensets and diesel trucks (carbon monoxide, NOx and SOx), ozone from printers and photocopies, formaldehyde from wood products such as furniture, flooring and panelling, hydrogen sulphide from sewers, and VOCs from cleaning products, detergents, oil spills and paint.
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One gas included in the monitoring suite is carbon dioxide which may seem strange since we breathe it out. However, high levels of carbon dioxide indicate inadequate ventilation. Humidity is also measured. Levels that are too high or too low can cause problems to occupants and again can be linked to inadequate ventilation.
The concentrations of the gases and odours found are then compared to the Occupational Exposure Limits to determine whether there is any breach. In a commercial building it would be expected that the concentrations found will be way below the limits. If substances are detected it could well indicate some problem. Typical problems include boiler flues being not high enough or located close to air intakes, insufficient ventilation rates or spills of oils or solvents nearby which seep into building basements.
For new building projects Environmental Efficiency can help with assessments under LEED and BREEM. Environmental Efficiency recently carried out the first LEED v4 air assessment in Ireland for a Dublin data centre.
Environmental Efficiency undertakes work across Ireland and the UK with offices in Bray, Cork, Birmingham and Lisburn.
