The preventative advantages of the HBI proactive indoor air quality services were clearly demonstrated for this client who routinely implements our recommended seasonal, biannual indoor air quality surveys. HBI provide, as part of a full indoor air quality investigation service, an extensive independent inspection of the HVAC system and indoor air quality monitoring for various common indoor air pollutants.
The aim of the HBI air quality service for any small, medium or large sky rise office building is to ensure that the atmospheric conditions in occupied areas are conductive to a working environment, that the majority of occupants will find it comfortable, that the building is not generating, sucking in from an external source or recirculating any airborne pollutants, the heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) maintenance schedule is effective, highlighting problems to be rectified and ensure the HVAC equipment is operating efficiently with respect to air conditioning and energy consumption.
During one particular biannual inspection elevated, but not dangerous, levels of carbon monoxide were found throughout one level of the building. The source was located to an unknown corridor vent, not far from the return air grills recirculating air around the floor. CO is an odourless gas, mainly associated with incomplete combustion, it is deadly is so far as it impairs the body’s ability to uptake oxygen from the air and at high enough concentrations will cause unconsciousness and subsequently death. The building management were immediately informed and with the help of their building knowledge the source was quickly identified to a number or poorly ventilated and poorly maintained boilers within a service void. The gas to these was quickly isolated and the floor flushed with outside air to dilute the gas, averting one of a number of potential deadly consequences of the build up of gas from the boilers.
Our experience on this project led to and continues to provide a safe and comfortable working environment and provides proactive solutions, as well as reactive, to potential complaints or building problems.