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Building operation and design standards are important – they ensure a minimum level of operational efficiency, comfort, and safety. However, achieving standards on paper doesn’t always guarantee that the space is actually performing as intended. Plus, many common guidelines, like ASHRAE standards, don’t approach building health holistically, leaving out many key factors. Here, we’ve summarized 3 reasons why it’s important to go above and beyond minimum building standards.  1. Design on paper doesn’t always guarantee execution in real life A well-designed building will consider occupant health and comfort from the beginning. When it comes to indoor environmental quality (IEQ), considering proper placement of air supplies and exhausts ensures actual and efficient air exchange, while keeping occupants comfortable. But not all buildings are built with air system performance in mind. A building can technically achieve proper ventilation rate, but not have good air quality when the intake and outlet placement and use of space is not optimized. In this case, building owners may assume that the space is healthy when it’s in fact the opposite. Older buildings are especially at risk for this. Aside from being built in accordance to older, less stringent guidelines, building systems deteriorate with time. A well-designed space that may have achieved ASHRAE standards ten years ago is likely underperforming today – and potentially putting occupants at risk of discomfort and health issues. That’s why it’s important to take the time to verify the actual quality of indoor spaces 2. Standards aren’t always holistic Detailed considerations of IEQ are relatively new to the building industry. Standards can reflect this by focusing mostly on comfort rather than health. That’s not to say that comfort isn’t important: uncomfortable temperatures reduce productivity, and exacerbate existing symptoms of sick building syndrome. But recent building health studies recommend higher ventilation rates than the minimum advised by ASHRAE. The COVID-19 pandemic and the spotlight it’s shone on occupant health highlights that the building industry needs to adjust its concept of “good enough.” Additionally, adjustments to how the space is used, like the placement of workstations and the scheduling of meetings, can seriously improve occupant health with little financial cost – but this pathway for improvement is rarely mentioned in guidelines. So current standards don’t always encompass the whole picture, and often what they recommend is the bare minimum. 3. Lack of guidance on indoor contaminants Carbon dioxide (CO2), particulate matter (PM), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) occur in indoor spaces, but they are also harmful to humans in the long term. High CO2 concentrations can lead to headaches, fatigue, and decreased cognitive function. PM worsens allergies and asthma, and can lead to future respiratory issues. VOCs irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs, and cause headaches and irritation; some, like formaldehyde or benzene, potentially cause cancer. All of these contaminants are typically found indoors, produced by occupants or furnishings like carpets, paints, cleaning supplies, and flooring. Even moderate concentrations can decrease the health, productivity, and profits of individuals and groups alike. Despite these contaminants’ prevalence, standards like ASHRAE offer very little guidance on thresholds, management, or preventative action. There’s little advice on high vs low emission materials, and the ASHRAE minimum ventilation rates don’t always ensure that these contaminants are effectively removed. That means health risks and profit loss can fly under the radar How to go above and beyond? In the end, design and building performance standards serve as an important baseline. However, they are the minimum, and leave out important details. Instead, it’s up to building owners, operators, and industry experts to take initiative and ensure that their indoor space isn’t just “good enough,” but great. The good news is, if you want to investigate a building’s actual performance and ensure your space is ahead of the rest, ioAirFlow can help. Visit us here to learn more about our wireless sensors, data analytics, and our mission to bring better buildings to everyone Written by Maria Marsh Carriles - ioAirFlow Technical Researcher
12 Comments
10/28/2021 10:23:16 am
Building operation and design standards are important – they ensure a minimum level of operational efficiency, comfort, and safety. However, achieving standards on paper doesn’t always guarantee that the space is actually performing as intended. Plus, many common guidelines, like ASHRAE standards, don’t approach building health holistically, leaving out many key factors. Here, we’ve summarized 3 reasons why it’s important to go above and beyond minimum building standards. 3/25/2022 11:23:06 pm
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It was interesting to me when you mentioned that design standards serve as an important baseline when it comes to building operations. I would think that it would be a good idea to work with an interior designer in order to maximize the functionality of a building. An interior designer knows what kind of things are good to include inside of a building. 8/30/2022 06:02:28 pm
I'm glad that you talked about the importance of prioritizing standards for building operations for the safety and efficiency of the project. Last night, my cousin told me he was planning to have a commercial property for a business, and he asked if I had an idea for the best architectural design that could help with all phases of designing. I'm grateful for this useful article, I'll tell him that it will be much better if he consults a trusted architectural design company as they can help him with all his inquiries. 9/26/2022 04:04:22 am
I like how you noted that a building may theoretically have a decent ventilation rate yet have poor air quality due to the arrangement of the intake and output. I wish to construct a new home. I'll track down a building code expert who is knowledgeable about the subject and the rules. 10/12/2022 12:30:58 am
I always look forward to reading your articles. You obviously put a lot of effort into this post, and I appreciate that. It really helped when you said that it is best to take your time when you learn about the quality of the indoor spaces you have. In that case, it would also be a good idea to talk to interior protection professionals to get the right options for your property. I think investing in the right materials will save the owners money in the long run, especially when they want something that will protect what they have invested in. 11/2/2022 02:51:47 am
It got me when you said that a property might be underperforming today after ten years even if it has passed the ASHRAE standards before. I guess this means that it is best for us to get a new house built and demolish the old one my grandparents had, so I should talk to a building design consultant to help me out. 11/29/2022 02:09:57 am
Thank you for expressing that a well-designed structure would take tenant health and comfort into account from the start. My father wants to build a new home so that it may be used as a guest house. I shall get a building design specialist to assist me in developing the house that my father desires. 7/13/2023 02:27:06 pm
Only this submit proved that any frame isn't always identical you and your level 11/25/2023 05:04:24 am
Sincere gratitude for sharing the benefits of going above and beyond building design guidelines! Which project stands out as having exceeded these expectations, and what were the successful results? Leave a Reply. |
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