Indoor environmental quality: Shaping the future of indoor spaces

The importance of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) has surged in recent years, catalysed by increased global awareness of health, environmental sustainability, and a series of stringent regulations aimed at enhancing the quality of indoor spaces. This article delves into the significance of IEQ, the impact of the latest UK air quality regulations, and the transformative effect these changes are anticipated to have on indoor spaces.

Indoor Environmental Quality encompasses the conditions inside a building including air quality, lighting, thermal conditions, and ergonomics and their effects on occupants. Good IEQ is pivotal in ensuring the health, comfort, and productivity of individuals, by minimising pollutants, optimising comfort, and ensuring the efficient use of natural resources. With people spending around 90 percent of their time indoors, maintaining the quality of these environments has never been more important.

Over the last few decades, there has been a continuous drive within Building Regulations and the construction industry to make new buildings more energy efficient and airtight, which often exacerbates the issue of inadequate fresh air exchange. An addition, contaminants may be introduced to a building via the external air supply or be generated from indoor activities, furnishings, and building materials. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has published IAQ guidance which lists the common indoor pollutants that should be monitored as:

• Carbon Dioxide
• Particulate Matter (PM)
• Carbon Monoxide
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
• Radon
• Mould
• Humidity

Regulations

There are a number of UK Air Quality Regulations that must be adhered to in order that commercial buildings maintain compliance:

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 is the overriding piece of legislation that covers all workplace standards, and includes indoor air quality. Expanding on the Act, is the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 which requires the assessment of health and safety risks requiring building managers and employers to:

• identify what could cause injury or illness in your business (hazards)
• decide how likely it is that someone could be harmed and how seriously (the risk)
• take action to eliminate the hazard, or if this isn't possible, control the risk.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 - regulations 5 and 6 apply to indoor air quality. Regulation 5 requires the regular servicing and maintenance of equipment and devices – including mechanical ventilation systems – that could pose a danger if faulty.

And Regulation 6 states that enclosed workplaces should be sufficiently well ventilated so that stale air is replaced at a reasonable rate, stipulating that it should not normally fall below 5 to 8 litres per second, per occupant. It goes on to stipulate that introduced air should be free from impurities and air inlets should be sited away from polluted air and where necessary, the inlet air should be filtered to remove particulates.

In the case of mechanical ventilation systems which recirculate air, including air-conditioning systems, recirculated air should be adequately filtered to remove impurities. To avoid air becoming unhealthy, purified air should have some fresh air added to it before being recirculated so systems should be designed with fresh-air inlets, which should be kept open. Mechanical ventilation systems (including air-conditioning systems) should be regularly and adequately cleaned and should also be properly tested and maintained.

The Building Regulations Approved Document F (Ventilation) is part of the UK Building Regulations, which set out the minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings to ensure the health and safety of occupants. It provides guidance on the ventilation requirements for buildings to maintain good indoor air quality, prevent condensation, and ensure the health and wellbeing of occupants.

The Document sets out performance standards that ventilation systems must meet, including air flow rates, air exchange rates, and noise levels. These standards may vary depending on the type of building and its intended use. Building designers and developers must ensure that ventilation systems comply with the requirements set out in the document to obtain building regulation approval.

Since June 2022, CO2 monitors have been mandatory in all office buildings in the UK, however, many commercial buildings are now continuously monitoring IAQ for additional pollutants, including PM2.5, VOCs and Radon, to ensure IAQ levels are consistently managed and maintained within safe limits.

Overall, Approved Document F plays a crucial role in ensuring buildings are properly ventilated to maintain a healthy and comfortable indoor environment for occupants whilst also meeting energy efficiency and sustainability goals.

Green Building Certifications

Regulations encourage the attainment of green building certifications, with a focus on sustainability and the minimisation of environmental footprints. Buildings meeting these stringent standards are recognised for their commitment to environmental stewardship and occupant health. Read more on Green Building Certifications here.

The Future of Indoor Spaces

The implications of these regulations for the future of indoor spaces are profound. Architects, builders, and facility managers are now tasked with integrating advanced technologies and sustainable practices into the very fabric of indoor environments. The emphasis on continuous monitoring and adherence to air quality standards signifies a shift towards more responsive and adaptive indoor spaces.

Future building designs will likely emphasize not only aesthetic and functional aspects but also the health and wellbeing of occupants. Innovations may include the use of materials that emit fewer pollutants, architectural designs that enhance natural ventilation, and the integration of green spaces to improve air quality.

Cutting-edge technologies such as smart HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, air quality sensors, and automated control systems will become standard in managing indoor environments. These technologies enable real-time monitoring and adjustment of indoor conditions, ensuring optimal IEQ is maintained at all times. Evotech has developed its myBEMS AI solutions which is helping customers reduce energy consumption and associated costs along with carbon emissions helping them reach their net zero goals, all whilst optimising the indoor environments for building occupiers. Read more on myBEMS here.

As we look to the future, it is clear that the focus on Indoor Environmental Quality will not only transform our indoor spaces but also improve our quality of life. By fostering innovation, prioritising health and wellbeing, and emphasising sustainability, we can look forward to indoor environments that are safe, pleasant, and conducive to our overall well-being.

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