The Secrets of An Indoor Air Quality Survey (IAQ)

When implementing energy management strategies, indoor air quality is often risked therefore impacts employee productivity. Although the effects of reduced IAQ cannot be quantified, many studies reveal that a company's bottom line is affected somewhere between 3 and 10% because of poor indoor air quality conditions. The impact on the bottom line is so devastating, that some energy management companies will not implement any strategies that may affect IAQ. In using well-strategized methods, we can improve the building's air quality, as well as maximize energy savings in a virtually simplistic manor.

Firstly, we must benchmark the building's existing IAQ. Many effective plans begin with a simple survey. A common, well utilized survey, involves a list of fabricated symptoms, such as drowsy, tired, itchy eyes, and so on. The temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels in the building are then measured and the baseline is considered complete.

This strategy, although thorough, is not effective. The employee's ability to fully describe what is wrong with them is not addressed because most people will stick to referencing points that are only on the check off list, rather than explaining the details of their symptoms. My favorite "noted" symptom ever encountered is "Brain Fog", sound familiar? It refers to a state of disorientation and confusion. My personal findings in this case were due to a very small concentration of acid and bleach used in a dialysis treatment centre.

Based on the noted symptom, which was not listed in the typical check off boxes of this common survey, we were able to resolve the IAQ issues and the staff experienced a significant increase in productivity. Through this experience, I realized that the secret to performing a high quality IAQ analysis was to leave room for employees to explain their specific symptoms, rather than continuing to hand out the typical survey.

The outcome has been amazing! We are now able to identify almost any IAQ issue alive, from hidden beehives, to the cleaning methods of baseboard radiation. I encourage you to give this strategy a try. We hope that it can benefit you and yours as much as it has and continues to benefit the customers of Atlabach Consulting LTD.