The Future of Intelligent Building Energy Management Systems Relies on Smart Strategies
As a leader in architectural engineering, Pennsylvania State University has been at the forefront...
Jason Pohl
In the past two years, monitoring indoor air quality has emerged as a top priority in building management. According to a 2020 study, 76% of U.S. consumers would feel more comfortable entering buildings in which air quality is being monitored. That sentiment can have a big impact on where people choose to live, work, and play. To maintain a healthy, safe, and appealing environment, you must start with knowing how to improve indoor air quality in buildings.
Critical Indoor Air Quality Variables
When it comes to indoor air quality standards, there is no one one-size-fits-all solution. However, organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) agree that the following are critical variables:
- Particulate matter (PM): PM2.5 are fine dust and tiny particles suspended in the air with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less. The EPA-recommended threshold for PM2.5 is 0-12 µg/m3. PM10 are coarse dust particles with a diameter of 10 micrometers and have a recommended threshold of 0-54 µg/m3. Both PM2.5 and PM10 can be generated by indoor activities and outdoor air conditions and can be inhaled deep into the lungs.
- Carbon dioxide: Inadequate ventilation can lead to high carbon dioxide levels, which can cause fatigue, discomfort, and other health problems. Peak carbon dioxide concentrations above 1000 ppm in indoor air indicate ventilation problems.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): VOCs are chemical compounds released by solvents, furniture, liquid fuels, carpets, and other fabrics. Improper ventilation and poor standards of cleanliness result in higher levels of VOCs. The VOC concentration indoors should ideally be 0-15 ppm.
- Temperature and humidity: Temperature is one of the most basic indicators of indoor air quality and has a strong influence on the spread and activity of pathogens causing respiratory infections. Indoor temperature can affect dampness and humidity, which contribute to the growth of mold, dust mites, bacteria, and other biological contaminants.
With a better understanding of indoor air pollutants and their sources, facility managers can take appropriate actions to improve indoor air quality.
How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Buildings
Knowing how to improve indoor air quality in buildings can help you comply with indoor air quality standards and create safer environments for building occupants:
These steps can make a meaningful difference for everyone who enters your building.
Make Air Quality Monitoring Smart
Integrating building equipment, air quality sensors, and an intelligent building platform opens up extraordinary opportunities when you know how to improve indoor air quality in buildings.
A platform like onPoint helps facility managers make sense of the complex air quality data and create data-driven strategies to maximize air quality. It can not only monitor variables like air-borne contaminants, HVAC performance, and occupancy, it can also make automatic adjustments based on custom inputs to make indoor spaces safer. Additionally, onPoint’s advanced fault detection and diagnostics allows you to implement preventive and predictive maintenance to support optimal equipment function.
Indoor air quality is a critical aspect of the built environment that directly affects building occupants. With smart technology, facility managers can protect both health and comfort with ease.
Want to learn more about indoor air quality in buildings? Download our Indoor Air Quality Sensor Readings eBook to learn additional need-to-know aspects and how to decipher common indoor air quality sensor readings.
