INDOOR AIR – A HOT TOPIC IN MANY BUILDINGS

Indoor air studies have been the largest area of increased business at RT this year. With more building occupants sensitive to indoor air issues. There is no doubt that property managers and building owners need to know how to respond to indoor air complaints. OSHA will get involved where complaints are not responded to. 

Indoor air problems, when investigated, typically fall into several categories: 

• Lack of adequate ventilation.
• Lack of adequate outside air.
• Drawing in fumes or odors from other nearby outside sources.
• Mold and mildew in ducts or in building materials.
• Offgassing of chemical constituents from newly installed building products.
• Excessive ventilation causing too much dry air.

RT has experience in all of these areas, and, we have the expertise to identify problems and make appropriate recommendations. Sometimes, the only problem is “stuffy air” caused by temperature demand driven HVAC systems which “stall” when temperatures are within the 68¡f - 78¡f range. Other times, tests reveal lack of adequate air change, evidenced by elevated carbon dioxide readings. In industrial and laboratory facilities, problems can be caused either by the chemical materials used or by constant over ventilation causing dry air. 

RT has conducted indoor air studies in a wide variety of building types, so we can frequently get to conclusions quickly and make practical recommendations where improvements are needed. If you have an indoor air problem, call Walter Hungarter at (610) 265-1510.