Developments in the Energy and Environment Sector

The quality of air in your premises is more important than you think. Small air pollutants such as dust, foul odours and allergens can affect the health of your workers and customers.

Having the air in your premises assessed is an important first step towards achieving clean and healthy air in your business. When you hire a consultant to perform air quality services and assess your property, they will usually follow these 4 steps:

1. Analysing your property and the surrounding environment

The first step that air quality consultants will take is to assess your premises for all risk factors. This means that they will identify the proximity of your premises to dust sources and other air pollutants. For example, if your business is located near road traffic, dust and smoke from engines may be a common cause of air pollution.

In addition, the machines that you use onsite may generate micro-particles that end up suspended in the surrounding air. Once all risk factors are identified, the consultants will then test air quality and determine which specific items are causing pollution.

2. Implementing a structured approach to define and solve the problem

Air quality consultants are experts at identifying and solving problems. Most professionals will use a structured approach to assess your air quality and the risks that you face. This often involves collecting samples, testing the air and collecting data regarding your business.

Whether you're operating a hospital, hotel, school or supermarket, air quality consultants will implement an objective approach when testing the surrounding air. If there are any unique risks that you face (such as the possibility of pathogens spreading within a hospital), the consultants will specifically test your air for these risks.

3. Making useful and actionable recommendations

Once the state of your current air is determined, the consultants will proceed to propose actionable solutions for your premises.

For example, a hospital may be recommended to install UV air filters for killing pathogens in the air. Similarly, an industrial premises may be advised to install machines in separate rooms from where employees spend a majority of time working.

Because each business is different, the solutions proposed will be detailed and specific to your premises.

4. Evaluating and testing results

Air quality consulting doesn't simply stop at the solutions stage. Consultants will also frequently evaluate and test the results of any proposed solutions. This means they may visit your business periodically to test the air supply and ensure that their solutions are working. The consultants may then propose additional adjustments as necessary.