Matthew Maleki, BDM & IAQ Specialist for CIAT spoke about indoor air pollution fatigue, the significance of the new British Standard BS 40102-1:2023 ‘Health and well-being and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in buildings’2, and the need for clearer direction for building owners in selecting the most appropriate ventilation solutions for their building’s specific environmental and operational needs.

“We spend more than 90 percent of our time inside and a shocking 3.2 million people die prematurely due to indoor air pollution each year, according to WHO.3 Yet in the aftermath of COVID, there were noticeable signs of indoor air pollution fatigue – people grew tired of talking about it,” Maleki said. “The impact of the pandemic however, heightened everyone’s awareness of the environment they lived and worked in, and accelerated research into IAQ and IEQ.”

He continued: “Small changes in the way we manage and maintain our indoor environments can make a significant impact on occupant wellbeing and reducing energy consumption. The introduction of BS 40102-1:2023 last year was a positive step forward in helping building owners address poor indoor air quality.”

This pioneering standard provides guidance for measuring, monitoring, and reporting on IEQ across all categories of non-domestic buildings. It also gives building owners access to assessments and rating systems for aspects such as air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, and acoustics.

“One of the most substantial advantages that BS 40102-1:2023 brings to the table is the potential for cost savings. By adopting the guidelines outlined in the standard, including effectively monitoring and evaluating building data, building owners can optimise their systems to function more efficiently, ultimately saving on energy costs and contributing to a more sustainable future,” Maleki added. “What is needed now is more direction for building owners in selecting the most appropriate ventilation solutions to address the specific needs of a building – as no two buildings are the same – and this is where we can help.”

He concluded: “A healthy building is an efficient building and helping building owners achieve that utopia is part of our purpose at CIAT.”

CIAT provides innovative and efficient ventilation solutions that align with the new BS 40102-1:2023. The company’s #CIAT4life programme offers a suite of proven solutions to support IAQ and enhance occupant wellbeing.