ASSET MANAGEMENT - INDOOR CLIMATE SURVEY
INTRODUCTION
Everyone working in a building benefits from a good and healthy building climate. Therefore, most modern buildings have a climate-control installation. This ensures optimal temperature and humidity, and filters out harmful substances from the air. Because, when employees feel good and comfortable, this has a positive effect on the way in which they perform their work.
WHY AN INDOOR CLIMATE SURVEY?
Buildings are often bustling with people taking all kinds of things inside, and that affects the air quality in a building. A building accommodating many people, and where ventilation is difficult, leads to health problems. A known effect of a poor indoor climate is reduced concentration among employees. This directly affects their productivity. And therefore, leads to higher costs due to absenteeism.
If you recognise these symptoms in your building, it's time to investigate the indoor climate. In addition, a periodic preventive examination is also possible and necessary.
WHAT IS A BAD INDOOR CLIMATE?
You will notice whether the air in your building is too hot, too cold or too dry, and whether the atmosphere feels stuffy. Then it is good to know that these are the most common symptoms of a bad indoor climate. Especially in buildings where ventilation is moderate, it is important to check this. A stuffy atmosphere is often the result of too high a CO2 concentration in the air. And CO2, humidity and temperature form the basis of the indoor climate.
ABOUT HEALTH COMPLAINTS
Bad indoor climate can cause annoying problems, ranging from burning eyes, irritated skin and headaches, to loss of concentration. Irritated mucous membranes and flu-like symptoms also occur.
Often, the causes are invisible, because, due to poor ventilation, contaminated filters or overdue maintenance, pathogens such as particulate matter, bacteria, fungi, yeasts and allergens remain in a building. This phenomenon is also known as sick building syndrome.
WHAT DOES AN INDOOR CLIMATE SURVEY ENTAIL?
Depending on the actual complaints, Bureau Veritas Asset Management works with one or more of the following methods:
in areas with logger meters, we conduct a week-long duration measurement of temperature, relative humidity, ventilation and CO2
a duration measurement of a fixed period (for example a week) of temperature and relative humidity in a room at two ventilation or heating points
basic survey including reporting with graphs and values, interpretation, assessment of Occupational Health and Safety guidelines and a recommendation on improvement
an indicative particulate matter measurement PM2.5 and PM10 in the rooms, and a reference measurement outdoors
sampling and analysis of bacteria, fungi and yeasts in the air (Petri dishes) or via contact samples (Rodac)
BUREAU VERITAS ASSET MANAGEMENT
Bureau Veritas Asset Management focuses on building management support. This includes indoor climate surveys. We can conduct different types of measurements with the measuring equipment we use. If we have to investigate specialist details, we will bring in our specialist partners. If required, we are also happy to help you draw up an improvement plan and implement measures. Together, we can thus ensure that your buildings and installations comply with the legal and desired conditions.
INFORMATION
For additional information about asset management services and possibilities, please call us on +31 88 450 55 00.