Natural air flow is not a feature of the average office space or commercial space. Many office buildings won’t allow you to open the windows. This puts you in control of what air is being breathed. airconman.sg is a brilliant service provider for air conditioning based in Singapore that specializes providing Air Conditioning servicing and Aircon installations in Singapore.
People feel sick when the air is dirty in commercial spaces.
- Dry, irritated eyes and skin
- Headaches, nausea, dizziness
- Congestion, coughing, and sneezing
Employees are less productive and more likely to take sick calls. Some studies have shown that improving the quality of your air can increase productivity by 8 percent.
Aircon Man has helped Singapore businesses find out how their air quality is and how they can improve it.
- It should be a team effort
- It doesn’t take a lot of money to get clean air. You can have cleaner air as easy as:
- Properly getting rid of waste
- Sealing food
- Clearance of vents and ducts
- Work with your building manager
These are small tasks that everyone can and should do. Encourage employees to not leave food out, and to keep the sinks and refrigerators clean. This is a great way to prevent mold and other airborne toxic substances.
When you plan your layout or move things around, remember to consider air circulation. It can be tempting to block vents or ducts to ensure everyone has the right spot. This can lead to problems later.
Vents and ducts are more than just heat and air conditioning. They also circulate the air and help keep it clean. We’ll get into this a bit more shortly.
However, blocking vents makes it much more difficult for them to perform their duties. This can affect the temperature. Particles in the air will not be filtered. They’ll just hang around and cause irritation.
Finally, ensure you are on good terms and understanding with your building manager. If you are the building manager, maintain open lines of communication with your tenants. Sometimes it can be difficult to identify the problem.
A test can help you make sure that everything is in order. You’ll want to make sure that everyone is doing their part to keep it clean and the air moving. Communication is crucial as you monitor the symptoms and offer different solutions.
It’s much easier to solve a problem when everyone is on the same team.
Filters and air purifiers can improve commercial air quality
Your HVAC system can cause or solve your problems. The following methods can be used to improve the quality of commercial air in your office:
- Air filters that are stronger
- Air purifiers
- Humidifiers
Let’s start with filters and air purifiers. These do the same thing in a way: They trap and block small particles from passing through the building or hanging in the air.
Each HVAC system contains filters. You should replace them every few months, just as you would at home. However, employees who are allergic to allergens or other particles may require a stronger product.
This is when purifiers and filters that have MERV or HEPA ratings will be of interest to you. Let’s not forget Alphabet soup. These acronyms will tell you the types of particles they trap.
The acronym MERV stands to represent “Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.” This probably didn’t help. It’s a rating system. The filter will trap more particles if it has a higher rating.
The average filter can trap larger particles such as pollen and dust mites. To catch smaller allergens or other problem-causers, you would need a filter with a higher MERV rating.
HEPA filters, also known as “High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance”, block almost everything from passing through. This includes residuals and germs from cigarettes.
Why not go straight to the strongest filter? The cost of one is high. These can get quite expensive, especially for commercial buildings. Then there is air pressure.
Filters reduce the pressure of air in your system by adding resistance. The filter also blocks particles from allowing air to flow through it. The filter’s resistance is greater the stronger it is.
HEPA filters can only be used in “clean rooms” at hospitals, where there is a need for sterility. You will also need an HVAC system that can maintain adequate airflow.
How can you determine what is right for your building? Testing will again reveal what you are dealing with. Next, consider the strength of your system. These factors can be weighed by a professional to help you make the best decision.
Humidity is a key factor
Let’s finally look at humidity. Both too much and too little humidity can lead to problems. This becomes more complicated as the seasons change.
The humidity in warmer air is naturally higher than that of colder air. It can retain more moisture. It can hold more moisture, which is why it becomes humid in summer.
This is also why winter brings more static electricity. Because the air is dryer, it conducts electricity better.
Now, let’s go a little deeper. Your office can become a breeding ground of mold and mildew if it has too much moisture. These spores can circulate in the atmosphere. Similar is true for other allergens or irritants.
Low humidity is an issue in winter. Because it is cold outside, water vapor is less prevalent than in summer.
Your HVAC system heats the air. But, it doesn’t add moisture. It makes it feel even dryer. It can also affect your health.
Some people will get nosebleeds from dry and cracked membranes. This makes it easier for people to get sick. The body cannot keep germs away.
You can’t forget about the extra junk in our air and people are calling for help. They may also be sneezing and hacking around, spreading germs and other odours throughout the air.
This is not so bad in summer. Your air conditioner removes moisture from your air to make it cooler. If that is not enough, you can always add a humidifier. Your relative humidity should be between 30-60 percent.
What is the best way to know where you stand? For starters, a humidistat. A qualified HVAC technician can then help you decide if more or less moisture is needed.
