Office Indoor Environment Control

Introduction

The annual ambient (outdoor) Air Quality Index in Delhi NCR has consistently been around 200 over the past 10 years, excluding the pandemic year 2020. This is four times higher than the acceptable limit of 50. The elevated Air Quality Index (AQI) adversely affects individuals suffering from respiratory and cardiovascular health issues. It is widely acknowledged that indoor air quality in office environments significantly influences occupants’ indoor environmental comfort, health, and performance. The design of the building must consider the business’s operational requirements, the needs of visitors and full-time employees, the levels of predominant contaminants in the surrounding outdoor air, and the occupants’ expected acceptability of indoor environmental quality.
Why IAQ is important for Office employees
Office employees dedicate approximately 60 hours per week to their occupational duties in a conventional office setting. In certain circumstances, employees receive additional amenities such as food services, recreational facilities, and sports options within the office premises. Given the considerable amount of time spent in a constructed environment, the quality of the indoor environment presents a greater risk to human health than that of the outdoor environment.

1. Source of Indoor Air Quality contamination
   Familiar sources of contamination are –
   • Building location
   • Building Design and Construction
   • HVAC system design, operation and maintenance
   • Building renovation or restack work
2. Indoor Environment Quality Management –

2.1 Measurements, monitoring, and assessment of IAQ

o Particle sizes ranging from 0.3 to 10.0 micrometres
o Temperature, Humidity, CO2, CO
o Indoor illumination, Daylighting factor
o Noise, Odor

2.2 Control Measures

•  Source Controls
  • • Identification and containment of sources of water and air ingress
    • Careful choice of construction materials, low VOC emissions indoor furnishings (cabinetry, furniture)
• Engineering control measures
  • • Effective filtration system for Fresh Air Treatment system
    • Demand-based outdoor air control
    • Treatment mechanism of outdoor air systems in the building
    • Air duct cleaning
    • Maintain positive air pressure in occupied office space
       Manual Air Balancing
       Variable Fan Speed Controls
       Differential Pressure-based Controls
       Offsetting airflow
       Energy efficiency and ventilation controls
      o Create customised solutions for efficient ventilation systems.
      o Application of outdoor Air Economisers (Heat Wheels), Energy Recovery Ventilation system
• Indoor Plantation
  • Spider plant, Golden Pothos (Money Plant), Snake plant, Aloe vera, Rubber plant, etc
  • Preferably one plant / 100 sqft office space.
• Cleaning Regime
  • Green cleaning regimen and hygiene
• Pest Control Regime
  • • Chemical-free pest control practice.
• Indoor furniture, janitorial chemicals and appliances storage room 
  • • Ventilation-controlled room for storage  
• Environmental Protection Measures – Office Renovation Works
  • • Essential protective measures to tackle dust and noise pollution effectively!
    • Incorporate environmental factors into the procurement decision-making process to ensure sustainable practices.
    • Close coordination and collaboration with the building management team.

3.0 Occupants’ Experience Survey

AQI and associated Health Impact

(Source: PIB; Government of India Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.)