Modern-day glass facade buildings commonly found in urban landscapes often prioritize aesthetics and energy efficiency over proper ventilation. These structures typically rely heavily on air conditioning (AC) systems, with little or no provision for natural air flow or fresh air intake. As a result, Indoor air quality The air quality (IAQ) is often reduced in such buildings, leading to the accumulation of pollutants, dust and allergens, which can make the condition worse. respiratory disease,
Without adequate ventilation, concentrations of indoor pollutants increase, creating an environment that can negatively impact the health of occupants. Prolonged exposure to poor IAQ, especially in commercial and industrial spaces where people spend most of their day, can lead to respiratory problems, fatigue, headaches, and in some cases, long-term chronic illnesses. Since these buildings are sealed to improve energy efficiency, the lack of fresh air circulation further exacerbates the problem, making it imperative to address IAQ concerns to ensure the well-being of occupants.
Spaces rely largely on centralized air conditioning to keep temperatures cool, but in the process, the systems promote recirculation of stale air. This leads to accumulation of excess carbon dioxide and pollutants as there is no adequate exhaust for indoor air. Therefore, it is important to focus on meeting optimal ventilation standards. Incorporating natural ventilation can provide great relief, but to practice ventilation of large spaces, optimize towards using advanced HVAC Systems This can be very helpful. It ensures efficient airflow to encourage proper circulation of fresh air in the room, and in the process, it significantly reduces the excessive need to heat or cool a space.
due to the absence of fresh air sick building syndrome (SBS), a condition in which occupants experience symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and lethargy. SBS is a major contributor to increased respiratory problems and reduced productivity, as unhealthy indoor environments affect both physical and mental health. Poor ventilation aggravates the problem, causing pollutants to accumulate within the space, severely affecting respiratory health over time.
Rooms with poor air quality are filled with harmful pollutants such as particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and microorganisms, which aggravate respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis.
This seriously underlines the importance of improving the indoor air quality of the building. Ensuring proper ventilation of the space and installing advanced HVAC systems can play a vital role in enhancing the indoor air quality. Discussing this in detail, let us look at the ways to improve the indoor air quality of the space.
1) Treatment of pollutants
To keep pollutants under control, installing a treated fresh air handling (TFA) system offers a lot of benefits. It filters the incoming air and supplies fresh air that is free from any pollutants, allergens or contaminants. By pre-conditioning the air before it enters the room, it reduces the chances of airborne diseases in people occupying the space.
2) Humidity control
Humidity is a key factor responsible for poor IAQ. But excessive moisture in the air is the playground for the proliferation of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, mold, mildew, etc. which can irritate the nose and throat, aggravate asthma attacks, irritate the respiratory system responsible for bronchitis, sinusitis, etc.
Therefore, using dedicated outdoor air systems helps to control the humidity of the room and ensures proper ventilation in the room. Also, they help to remove unpleasant odors caused by humidity and contribute to the comfort of the occupants.
3) Green Building
Understanding the importance of IAQ in keeping respiratory diseases at bay, adopting green building solutions significantly aids in maintaining acceptable air quality within the enclosed space. Moreover, given that the wave of sustainability is being felt across the region, industry players are increasingly adopting net-zero buildings. Using sustainable materials with negligible emissions of harmful VOCs, the structures naturally ensure that pollution within the space remains controlled. Also, by incorporating smart design, buildings prioritise proper air filtration and natural ventilation of the rooms. Hence, while maintaining a healthy indoor environment, smart buildings ensure the well-being of the occupants.
(Author: Varun Pahwa, President, Desiccant Rotors International)
Without adequate ventilation, concentrations of indoor pollutants increase, creating an environment that can negatively impact the health of occupants. Prolonged exposure to poor IAQ, especially in commercial and industrial spaces where people spend most of their day, can lead to respiratory problems, fatigue, headaches, and in some cases, long-term chronic illnesses. Since these buildings are sealed to improve energy efficiency, the lack of fresh air circulation further exacerbates the problem, making it imperative to address IAQ concerns to ensure the well-being of occupants.
Spaces rely largely on centralized air conditioning to keep temperatures cool, but in the process, the systems promote recirculation of stale air. This leads to accumulation of excess carbon dioxide and pollutants as there is no adequate exhaust for indoor air. Therefore, it is important to focus on meeting optimal ventilation standards. Incorporating natural ventilation can provide great relief, but to practice ventilation of large spaces, optimize towards using advanced HVAC Systems This can be very helpful. It ensures efficient airflow to encourage proper circulation of fresh air in the room, and in the process, it significantly reduces the excessive need to heat or cool a space.
due to the absence of fresh air sick building syndrome (SBS), a condition in which occupants experience symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and lethargy. SBS is a major contributor to increased respiratory problems and reduced productivity, as unhealthy indoor environments affect both physical and mental health. Poor ventilation aggravates the problem, causing pollutants to accumulate within the space, severely affecting respiratory health over time.
Rooms with poor air quality are filled with harmful pollutants such as particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and microorganisms, which aggravate respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis.
This seriously underlines the importance of improving the indoor air quality of the building. Ensuring proper ventilation of the space and installing advanced HVAC systems can play a vital role in enhancing the indoor air quality. Discussing this in detail, let us look at the ways to improve the indoor air quality of the space.
1) Treatment of pollutants
To keep pollutants under control, installing a treated fresh air handling (TFA) system offers a lot of benefits. It filters the incoming air and supplies fresh air that is free from any pollutants, allergens or contaminants. By pre-conditioning the air before it enters the room, it reduces the chances of airborne diseases in people occupying the space.
2) Humidity control
Humidity is a key factor responsible for poor IAQ. But excessive moisture in the air is the playground for the proliferation of microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, mold, mildew, etc. which can irritate the nose and throat, aggravate asthma attacks, irritate the respiratory system responsible for bronchitis, sinusitis, etc.
Therefore, using dedicated outdoor air systems helps to control the humidity of the room and ensures proper ventilation in the room. Also, they help to remove unpleasant odors caused by humidity and contribute to the comfort of the occupants.
3) Green Building
Understanding the importance of IAQ in keeping respiratory diseases at bay, adopting green building solutions significantly aids in maintaining acceptable air quality within the enclosed space. Moreover, given that the wave of sustainability is being felt across the region, industry players are increasingly adopting net-zero buildings. Using sustainable materials with negligible emissions of harmful VOCs, the structures naturally ensure that pollution within the space remains controlled. Also, by incorporating smart design, buildings prioritise proper air filtration and natural ventilation of the rooms. Hence, while maintaining a healthy indoor environment, smart buildings ensure the well-being of the occupants.
(Author: Varun Pahwa, President, Desiccant Rotors International)
