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Expectations
Commercial Office Sector
A common challenge we hear from clients in the commercial office sector is balancing the need for high-quality ventilation with rising energy costs and sustainability commitments. Many offices still rely on outdated HVAC systems that don't adequately manage airflow, or worse, waste energy trying to compensate for poor design.
The good news is you don’t need to undertake an expensive retrofit to improve your building’s air. Starting with IAQ assessments and installing air quality monitors can give you immediate insight into the health of your indoor environment and provides the data you need to understand the next steps in improving your air quality.
From identifying issues with your HVAC to installing UV-C filters to kill bacteria and viruses, we have the proven experience to diagnose and remediate causes of poor air quality within any commercial office space. Whether you're managing a large corporate HQ or a small co-working space, we offer bespoke solutions based on your needs, budget, and built environment.
Relevant services
- HVAC Maintenance
- Fire Damper Testing
- Water Quality Testing
- TM44 Inspections
- Grease Cleaning
- Ductwork Cleaning
- IAQ Testing
- Fitwel Testing
Featured Project
Fitwel testing on Blackfriars Road
Objectives
In 2024, our client began the process of moving into their beautiful new office space in the Arbor Building on Blackfriars Road in London. For this move, the company wanted to achieve Fitwel certification early as it shows they are a company dedicated to supporting the health, wellbeing, and productivity of their staff and demonstrates a commitment to a space that has an overall positive impact on health. They reached out to us at ARM Environments to conduct the Fitwel testing for their office space.
Noticing a red flag early on, the first thing we could smell when we walked into the office space was the pleasant scent from several reed diffusers dotted around the office space. Although they made the office smell lovely, these diffusers, alongside other scented homeware items, can release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the air, which would negatively impact the test results. We discussed with the client the impact of diffusers and they swiftly banished them into another room. We understand the intention here, though: the lingering "new office smell" from fresh paints and furnishings isn't the nicest smell, and the reed diffusers did make the room smell nicer. Despite this, these diffusers are essentially adding more VOCs into the air on top of the existing emissions from the paints and furniture, exacerbating the Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) levels by masking one scent with another. The safest space is typically the one that you can't smell at all.
Solutions
We conducted indoor air quality testing using passive sampling tubes, which are non-intrusive, silent, and require no ongoing attention once installed. These devices work by collecting airborne pollutants through natural diffusion, allowing us to measure concentrations over time without disrupting daily operations in the office. The tubes were strategically placed throughout the space and left in position for two weeks, providing a reliable snapshot of indoor air quality. When we returned to assess the samples, it seemed the indoor air quality of the office space was well within healthy limits, indicating a safe and well-ventilated environment.
Following our tests, the client was successful in achieving Fitwel certification, an internationally-recognised standard for healthy buildings. Our indoor air quality assessment formed a key part of the submission, contributing the knowledge that their indoor air quality was clean and healthy.
Results
With our client happy, and with a 2-star Fitwel certification, we created a report for them to keep stored for future reference. This allows them to see whether their IAQ deteriorates or improves in the future, making it much simpler assess the effectiveness of new/refurbished air handling units and filters, and even the impact of indoor factors like reed diffusers!
Ultimately, the biggest success in this story is that the client achieved Fitwel certification. Not only does this ensure their staff stay healthy, happy, and productive, but it also draws attention from outside sources looking for potential companies to join or investors looking to rent/purchase the space. Fitwel shows the world that a company prioritises wellbeing, an increasingly invaluable factor in today's day and age.
Challenges
- Client recently moved in
- Space full of VOC-emitting materials
- Large office space
"When you're measuring air pollution, the best smell is often no smell at all. In this case, the staff were covering the smell of pollutants with other pollutants, increasing the risk of respiratory harm. If you need advice on how to decrease levels of VOCs in newly fitted out buildings, please get in touch."
Adam Taylor, CEO of ARM Environments
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