What Every Commercial Property Owner Should Know About Indoor Air Quality

If you are the property owner of a commercial building, then there are a few things that you need to know about air quality in commercial buildings. Whether you run your business out of a building that you own or if your business is to rent a commercial property to others, it is your responsibility to ensure the environment is safe for either your employees or your tenants.

So, How Does the Air Quality in Commercial Buildings Compare to Outside Air?

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the concentration of some pollutants indoors can be anywhere from two to five times more dense than the concentrations in which those same pollutants are found outdoors.

Furthermore, most of these pollutants originate inside of these indoor spaces; they are often produced by combustion systems, by chemical products such as those used for cleaning, and by the building materials themselves.  

How Does the Air Quality in Commercial Buildings Impact the Occupants?

According to the EPA, health concerns for people working inside a building with poor air quality can range from mild, such as irritation of the eyes and throat or light headaches or fatigue, all the way to severe, including cancer or diseases impacting the heart or lungs.

With the average person spending as much as 90% of their time indoors, negative health impacts such as these are a serious concern for the average American.

What Can Be Done to Improve and Maintain Air Quality in Commercial Buildings?

Maintaining a high level of indoor air quality is a combined effort between the maintenance team and the day to day occupants of a building. As the commercial property owner, here are some factors that you can take to improve or maintain a high level of indoor air quality in your building:

1. HVAC Design

If you are in the process of a new construction, the contractor in charge of the HVAC system will no doubt have plans or even a CAD file that will lay out the design that will meet the needs of the intended occupants.

However, if your commercial space has been repurposed since the original construction, it is very likely that your HVAC system will require modifications to meet the current needs based on the number of occupants and the amount and type of equipment that is stored there.

2. Routine Maintenance

In addition to addressing problems as they arise, your building should have a preventative maintenance routine that is completed at least every six months. These checks often align with the changing of the seasons, as the outdoor environment can have an impact on both the indoor air conditions and the changing needs for climate control.

3. Communication Is Key

Ensuring that occupants are aware of potential hazards and that they understand what is expected of them in order to promote a clean and safe environment is the best way to maintain the highest possible air quality in commercial buildings. Cultivating a healthy line of communication with tenants and employees alike is imperative for optimizing their use of your commercial building.

Make sure policies are clear when it comes to the use of cleaning products and the enforcement of smoking policies. Other tips specific to your building, such as the specifics of furniture arrangement (ideally in such a way that vents are unrestricted and airflow is not inhibited), should always be communicated clearly and respectfully.

With this information in your back pocket, you are on your way to better air quality in your commercial building.

Does my company qualify for CARES Act Relief Funding?

To find out register for a free consultation and join us for our webinar: Upgrades for Healthier Facilities Using Cares Act Funding