May cause side effects...
December 1st 2008 Poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) can cause symptoms ranging from headaches to shortness of breath, but where do you start when you need to assess the problem, asks Alan Glibert of BSRIA Instrument Solutions
IAQ issues normally arise from construction materials and furnishings, the activities within a building, the outdoor environment, ineffective ventilation, or the building occupants. Contaminants such as particulate matter can originate within the building or be drawn in from outdoors from air conditioning systems or via openings in the structure such as windows and doors. IAQ problems can also arise when contaminant concentration is excessive, even if the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning system is functioning properly. Feelings of discomfort and illness may be related to many different causes including noise levels, thermal comfort (inadequate control of temperature and humidity, inappropriate air movement), lighting, chemicals, dusts, moulds, bacteria, vapours and odours. There is even some evidence that there is an inverse relationship between fresh air ventilation rates and sick leave rates.
The Health and Safety at Work Regulations state that the workplace should be maintained in an efficient state with suitable services to support the business operation.
Maintaining a healthy and comfortable indoor environment in any building requires integrating many components of a complex system. Nevertheless, IAQ problems are preventable, and they are solvable.
Given the potential number of causes of IAQ issues in buildings, those responsible for assessing problems often call on outside specialist assistance. But, with a common sense approach most health and safety professionals, using modern pieces of instrumentation, can resolve IAQ issues. In times of economic uncertainty, the rental of expensive pieces of equipment can be the most cost effective solution to acquiring items such as Volatile Organic Chemical (VOC) or dust monitors without the need for large capital outlays. More and more companies are now using rental as the preferred solution to their needs, as it frees up money to focus on its core activities without compromising growth or levels of service.
There are many benefits of instrument rental rather than ownership in the IAQ arena. Immediate access to a wide range of the most up-to-date technology is one advantage, especially as tests that often used to take hours to conduct can now be undertaken more easily, faster, and more accurately than those taken a few years go. Availability of equipment when you need it, particularly if multiple units are required for a specific project is also a positive benefit. Rental of instrumentation ensures that no money is tied up when they are not being used, and often there are hidden costs to ownership that are not considered when initially making a large equipment purchase such as maintenance which can be expensive if items are infrequently used.
When selecting a supplier for rental, careful consideration must be given to the level of service expected. Does the rental company operate a quality accredited calibration system for the items it offers for hire, a simple question to ask but one that is often overlooked? Correct calibration is of paramount importance especially in critical environments, so no calibration facilities could be why the rental cost is the lowest price. Likewise does the company offer any technical back up to the products within its rental range, or does it simply refer the user back to the manufacturer if a problem arises. Is the rental company tied to a single supplier, or does it source it from the best equipment manufacturers from around the world? In summary, instrument rental can be a cost effective solution to acquiring expensive pieces of IAQ instrumentation especially if it is only used on an ad-hoc basis. Careful selection of the rental company is important, and choosing one not tied to a single manufacturer ensures access to the best suppliers around the world.
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