The air quality in your facility may not be on the top of your list because it is usually something you don't necessarily think about until there is a problem. However, having poor air quality is something that can cause worker production to decrease.
In a worst case scenario, there is potential for a lawsuit, so it is important to find out what is going on at your facility. There are a variety of places that air quality problems can present an issue and while some are easy to fix and not a major problem, some are more serious. Here are a few:
Bathrooms
This one is a given but it doesn't have to be. Make sure there are good exhaust fans in the restroom and that the ventilation is good in order to prevent air quality issues.
Break Rooms
Facility break rooms are host to microwave smells and other food items. Poor ventilation is also the reason for this area having air quality issues.
Parking Garages
A more important air quality issue in parking garages can be caused by carbon monoxide, CO2, and nitrous oxide because of the emissions from gas and diesel vehicles. Sensor installation is a must so that levels do not become dangerous or even uncomfortable.
Entrance Areas
Entrances allow the air pressure to change because you have two building areas joined together which allows the pressure to fluctuate due to creating a tunnel effect.
Monitor The Situation
Now there are other issues that are more serious when it comes to air quality such as someone smelling a gas leak or feeling headachy. One way to ensure that your air quality is always up to par, is to monitor the situation which is easily done with CMMS or Computerized Maintenance Management Software.
Read More: Control Hazard Materials Handling
“If you have a building management or automation system, set up trend logs to monitor the temperature, humidity and location of complaints" recommends Kevin Callahan, Product Owner and Evangelist for Alerton, a building automation system developer. If your dampers are working correctly, he recommends checking your air handling units to make sure no one has changed the minimum outside air setting – "the problem may be as simple as someone adjusting the preset when the facility was unoccupied and forgetting to change it back.”
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