FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
By Helen Buchan, Infection Control Expert
While hybrid working might be here to stay, insights show that return-to-work initiatives are bringing people back into the workplace for more days each week.
But if the pandemic changed the way we work, it’s also changed what we expect of our workplaces – which is why, now more than ever, employees want reassurance that their environment and wellbeing are being looked after.
After all, we spend 87% of our lives indoors, and the World Health Organization recently described indoor air quality as “the world’s largest single environmental health risk”. For facilities managers, then, the challenge is critical – and complex. There’s growing pressure to reduce the energy consumption of essential commercial HVAC systems, and there’s also an imperative to improve indoor conditions and stop sick building syndrome from taking hold.
What causes sick building syndrome?
Sick building syndrome (sometimes abbreviated to SBS) is a condition commonly experienced by office workers. Its symptoms can include headaches, breathing issues, itchy skin, and low energy, and it’s often linked to poor ventilation, insufficient lighting, overcrowded working areas, and excessive noise.
SBS doesn’t just affect how people feel, either. Countless studies have shown that it can lead to a measurable drop in productivity, reduced concentration, and even affect staff retention.
The good news, however, is that we’re now better equipped than ever to prevent SBS and the problems it can cause, without compromising goals like hitting those sustainability targets. Greater awareness, coupled with smarter technologies, are giving us new tools to beat the problem.
Integrated systems for healthier environments
As return-to-office measures force action on SBS, facilities managers are responding in a number of ways. The first port of call is proactive care – ensuring current systems are properly serviced, safe and compliant. Regular checks and proactive maintenance are the best way to keep existing equipment performing, and will also help you spot issues before they turn into disruption and other headaches.
A more significant step is moving away from outdated building systems where heating and ventilation are handled separately. Better integrated air handling systems (AHUs) give FMs the power to control temperature and air quality at the same time. In turn, you’ll create cost and energy savings, and your building will likely become a healthier, more inviting and comfortable place to be.
As well as state-of-the-art HVAC, air filtration solutions are part of this equation, with many organisations now investing in medical-grade systems that actively improve air quality. At JLA, we’ve already installed many of these systems in healthcare settings like hospitals and care homes, where they work to prevent infection spread, protect patients and residents, and keep staff safe for better standards of care continuity. In the workplace, their benefits are just as powerful: air is noticeably cleaner, the environment feels more comfortable, and staff absence drops.
Looking ahead, we expect air filtration to become an expected standard, fully integrated into the HVAC systems of all new office or commercial developments. Even better, filtration technology isn’t out of reach – there are already plenty of options available to suit multiple needs, and improvements to your employee experience will be realised – and noticed – almost immediately.
Can JLA help take care of HVAC and cleaner air for you? Get in touch with our experts for more details.
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