Mechanical Engineers Say Proper Ventilation is Crucial for Your Small Business

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Engineers Explain How Good Ventilation Helps Your Business

We’ll start with a fact that often startles people: (indoor air quality is a major health threat in the country).  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the air quality inside buildings is often 3 to 4 times worse than the air outside. This goes against what most people think air pollution is like— fumes from cars and smoke stacks casting dark clouds over cities.  Heavy wall insulation, tightly fitted, non-opening windows ( Window Efficiency ), and commercial synthetic carpeting in modern buildings allows for the rapid build-up of contaminants inside without the chance to escape.

Proper ventilation in your business that was designed by a licensed mechanical engineer(Licensed Mechanical Engineer )is a key part of managing its indoor air quality. Cleaner air not only prevents a variety of long-term illnesses, but it stops numerous short-term troubles that affect your employees.  Without the ventilation necessary to allow the building to “breathe,” the employees in your work space will start to suffer from headaches, nausea, and complications that will cut down on productivity.

Ventilation helps your business in a number of other ways.  It helps to prevent issues with mold and mildew growth that can occur from stagnant and humid air; it helps to remove exhaust from various processes that your business may use; and it ensures that the heating and air conditioning systems work at the most energy efficient possible, without unnecessary waste due to a poorly designed ventilation network.

Licensed Mechanical Engineers Recommend These Tips for Improved Indoor Air Quality:

  • Do not block air vents or grilles
  • Comply with the office and building smoking policy
  • Water and maintain office plants properly
  • Dispose of garbage promptly and properly
  • Store food properly
  • Avoid bringing products into the building that could release harmful or bothersome odors or contaminants
  • Notify your building or facility manager immediately if you suspect an indoor air quality problem

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If You Manage an Office, Engineers Offer This Advice:

  • Maintain a good working relationship with building management on indoor environmental issues and be familiar with licensed mechanical engineering consultants in your area
  • Place office furniture and equipment in areas with good air circulation
  • Coordinate with building management in instances when responsibility for design, operation and maintenance of the ventilation system is shared
  • Establish an effective smoking policy that protects nonsmokers from involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke
  • Integrate indoor air quality concerns into your purchasing decisions. 
  • Work with the building manager to ensure use of only necessary and appropriate pest control practices, and nonchemical methods where possible
  • Work with building management and the contractor before you remodel or renovate to identify ways of keeping building occupant exposure to pollutants to a minimum and to ensure that the air distribution system is not disrupted
  • Ensure building management develops a preventive indoor air quality management program following guidance issued by EPA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). (Purifier Technologies)

Mechanical Engineers Provide Guidance on Minimizing Indoor Pollution

Most Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors and many spend most of their working hours in an office environment. Studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others show that indoor environments sometimes can have levels of pollutants that are actually higher than levels found outside.  Pollutants in our indoor environment can increase the risk of illness. Several studies by EPA, states, and independent scientific panels have consistently ranked indoor air pollution as an important environmental health problem. While most buildings do not have severe indoor air quality problems, even well-run buildings can sometimes experience episodes of poor indoor air quality.  A 1989 EPA Report to Congress concluded that improved indoor air quality can result in higher productivity and fewer lost work days. EPA estimates that poor indoor air may cost the nation tens of billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and medical care.  (https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air-quality)

Consider Hiring a Licensed Mechanical Engineer to Evaluate Your Indoor Air Quality

A consulting mechanical engineering company can help provide guidance for ensuring that your building’s indoor environment meets EPA standards, as well as provides optimal comfort for your employees.  A drafty workplace, a hot conference room, or a kitchen area with poor ventilation will prevent workers from performing their best.  Glew Engineering Consulting in Mountain View, California can help you to achieve a pleasant workplace.

 

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