Indoor air contaminant control is the practice of mitigating or eradicating harmful airborne germs and other microorganisms from the interior of a building. If you are a commercial building’s property or facility manager, you have a legal responsibility to ensure your occupants are inhabiting a space with clean, breathable air. If you properly maintain indoor air contaminant control, then you will greatly reduce the risk of your building’s occupants contracting a variety of illnesses that range in severity.
At Air-rite Solutions, we provide the full range of Brisbane commercial air conditioning services. This comprehensive guide will outline everything you need to know about indoor air contaminant control, so you are better prepared to combat poor indoor air quality in the future.
Common Types of Indoor Air Contaminants
There are a range of common indoor air contaminants which are generally split into two groups: avoidable contaminants and unavoidable contaminants. Avoidable contaminants originate from sources such as the material and equipment found within an indoor space. Unavoidable contaminants come from sources such as the activities and metabolisms of a building’s occupants, and therefore follow people around no matter where they go.
Controlling indoor air contaminants is primarily targeted at reducing avoidable issues. Some common avoidable contaminants that can negatively affect the indoor air quality of a building include bacteria, animal products, gases, and organic compounds. Exposure to any of these substances can cause irritation in the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs of occupants. Long-term exposure and/or high-levels of concentrated exposure can cause much more serious health issues.
As a building’s facility manager, it is your responsibility to take action yourself or organise professional assistance in ensuring the indoor air quality is maintained at a consistent healthy level.
Indoor Air Contaminant Control Strategies
There are several approaches to indoor air contaminant control, and the right one/s for your building will depend on the type of property, the work and equipment inside the building, and other variables.
Here are some of the common indoor air contaminant strategies that may assist in improving your indoor air quality:
- Limiting the use of materials and products that emit air contaminants, such as combustion equipment, heaters, and any organic compounds.
- Ventilating all areas of the building with clean air, especially any kitchens, bathrooms, and any rooms that use combustion equipment.
- Locally ventilating any contaminant originating points.
- Creating an indoor air quality strategy and a HVAC maintenance plan.
- Optimising your air distribution system for contaminant control.
- Using air cleaners to remove contaminants from the air.
These are just some common control strategies you could use to control indoor contaminants in your building. It is possible you will have to combine more than one of these strategies to fulfil your responsibilities, and we recommend you seek the advice of professionals to draw up the best approach.
HVAC System Combating Indoor Air Contaminants
HVAC systems play an important role in indoor contaminant control. Commercial and industrial systems can filter and distribute clean air throughout a building that helps to reduce contaminants and make the premises more comfortable for all the occupants.
However, damaged and unmaintained HVAC systems can also have a negative impact on your building’s indoor air quality. We recommend you regularly have your commercial air conditioning repaired, inspected, and maintained by trained professionals to ensure it is only producing clean air into your building.
Contact Air-rite Solutions
Air-rite Solutions is made up of a team of experienced HVAC experts who are capable of providing the full range of commercial HVAC services for businesses in Brisbane and South East Queensland. If you need a system designed, installed, or maintained to help with a number of uses, including combating indoor air contaminants, contact our friendly team today!
