Sick building syndrome is a commonly used term that refers to the symptoms occupants may experience as a result of poor air quality in high use buildings. We all know that once somebody in the office or classroom gets sick, it is likely that others around them will be the next in line.
Sick building syndrome can lead to high employee absences and increased staff turnover, therefore resulting in a loss of money at a direct cost to the business, whether that be due to replacing staff, missing deadlines or paying sick pay.
What causes SBS?
Sick Building Syndrome is a term used to describe a situation whereby occupants of a building experience feeling unwell as a direct result of spending time in the building. SBS commonly tends to occur in office buildings with air conditioning or automated heating/ ventilation systems that are circulating air around different rooms. With some staff spending over 40 hours a week within their work environment it is important to identify any causes of SBS quickly and efficiently.
Although there is no single reason that can be identified as a cause of these acute health or comfort-related issues, it is predicted that it can be a combination of many factors.
- Poor ventilation
- Pollutants such as dust, carpet fibres and fungal spores
- Bright or flickering lights, sometimes even light omitted from computer screens
- Outside Pollution entering through ventilation systems
- Ozone from the use of printers and fax machines
With common symptoms including headaches, blocked or runny nose, coughs or wheezing and tiredness or difficulty concentrating, having SBS in office or work buildings can be costly for companies, not only in salaries and employee costs, but also in terms of workflow and productivity.
How can building managers prevent SBS?
Healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) is essential in preventing sick building syndrome within your premises. Finding and identifying the problem is step 1, but preventing and alleviating the problem will create a healthier and safer environment for your employees. In order to eradicate SBS from your offices, it is important to reduce the following:
- Prevent Mould – Bacteria such as mould and mildew grow quickly in damp environments as a result of leaks of rooms being too humid.
- Ensure Proper Ventilation – Opening windows and doors to allow proper air circulation and sunlight can aid air flow and reduce pollution in highly used spaces – however it can be difficult to do this during the colder months. It is also a good idea to improve your HVAC air ventilation systems and make sure that they are working properly.
Using IoT technology to monitor Air Quality and maintain occupant wellness
With the introduction of IoT (the Internet of things) that enables connected devices via sensors through cloud communication, there are new capabilities for real-time monitoring of air quality in buildings. A wireless network of sensors can be implemented across big sites to automatically transmit, process, analyse, and visualize data in real time to ensure that the air quality of rooms is consistently under control. A selection of different sensors can be used to monitor carbon monoxide, pollutants, temperature, humidity and CO2 to name a few.
Foresolutions can help businesses and premises managers to effectively monitor the air quality within their buildings through the use of sensors and our notification systems. These sensors will then notify facilities managers or operations team members as to any changes, allowing them to make executive decisions about requirements for filtration systems or increased ventilation.
What are the benefits of using an air quality monitoring system for your business?
Implementation of IoT and communication technology promises reliable solutions for enhanced environmental health and well-being.
- Reduced Pollution and increased ventilation
IAQ systems help to eliminate pollutants, dust particulates, fungal spores, gas and other irritants that can cause issues. - Improved Health effects and comfort
Ensuring good air quality reduces symptoms such as headaches, sore throat, fatigue and nausea that results from poor air quality and also helps to reduce humidity levels, which can cause skin irritants and other issues. - Efficiency and reduced energy costs
Dirty or ineffective ventilation that is not being monitored or checked can cause HVAC equipment to work harder, causing overheating and higher energy usage and associated costs. - Performance and productivity
Comfortable employees that are in good health are more likely to work harder, be productive and less likely to be absent from work due to sickness.
If you want to find out more about how Foresolutions can support your business in implementing a new air quality monitoring system, contact our team today for a complimentary consultation.