The 'new normal' demands building owners to constantly monitor IAQ.

- Rajeev Bhandari

Senior Director - Engineering, Honeywell Technology Solutions

How do you assess the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) in commercial and office infrastructure? How does IAQ impact the health of employees in office and commercial spaces?

There is no 'one-size-fits-all' solution when it comes to improving IAQ. Experts recommend a layered approach that increases both ventilation and filtration but it starts with measurement - building owners can't change what they don't measure.

Honeywell's IAQ monitor is a compact, touchscreen-enabled device that measures key IAQ parameters including temperature, relative humidity, and indoor air pollutants, and provides an IAQ index based on the readings. The device uses an array of sensors for better accuracy to track these parameters. The device is pre-configurable with optional sensors for detecting formaldehyde (HCHO) and ozone (O₃). Building occupants can view the parameters of air quality and its index via the touchscreen display.

The device alerts building owners and operators of potential issues to proactively improve indoor air quality, thereby potentially decreasing the risk of transmitting airborne contaminants.

In the wake of the Covid pandemic, how has IAQ become a priority in offices, especially when the offices and commercial spaces are opening up?

The COVID-19 virus is transmitted through air and the risks are even higher in closed spaces. Studies show that viruses can spread faster in stale and compromised air, and poor indoor air quality can cause symptoms such as asthma, fatigue, irritation or headache. Honeywell's IAQ monitor can help provide actionable insights, portfolio analytics and contribute to the site's Healthy Buildings score, enabling building owners to make informed decisions to increase occupant well-being and comfort.

What is the current scenario of IAQ in India? What are the key measures needed for a better IAQ?

Our data reveals that workers in India are aware of the importance of good air quality. A recent survey by Honeywell shows that an overwhelming majority of surveyed workers in India (86%) say it is very to extremely important to be kept informed of their building's air quality, a 20-percentage point increase from the global average of 65%. Eighty-two per cent of office workers in India say they will leave their jobs if employers do not provide a healthy workplace.

Constant monitoring, along with a building controls strategy focused on meeting indoor air quality guidelines can help create a healthier indoor environment.

How is Honeywell responding to the need for a better IAQ for the safety and better health of employees in office space?

Many of the building systems improvements highlighted due to the COVID-19 pandemic were already in place in buildings, but occupants weren't aware of them, how they worked or how they were personally impacted by them. As we learned more about how COVID-19 is transmitted, building managers and owners had quickly adjust to maintain compliance to the latest guidelines and create a safer environment for occupants. We've worked with customers to not only monitor and improve indoor air quality but to also leverage their security systems to monitor people flow and counting, track compliance with social distancing and mask wearing guidelines, and deploy frictionless access systems to less contact with frequently touched surfaces.

The increased awareness and importance placed on IAQ can be seen as one of the few positives coming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Proactively monitoring and managing indoor air quality can help create a healthier building environment and support occupant well-being. 

What are the key features of Honeywell's new IAQ monitor and how this can be a better option in the current scenario?

The Honeywell IAQ monitor alerts building owners and operators of potential issues to proactively improve indoor air quality, thereby helping decrease the risk of airborne contaminant transmissions. A Make in India offering, the compact, touchscreen-enabled device measures key IAQ parameters including temperature, relative humidity, and indoor air pollutants, and provides an IAQ index based on the readings.

The IAQ monitor is designed with subtle aesthetics to fit perfectly into most indoor environments. It provides information in a user-friendly way by using colour codes to indicate air quality. The Honeywell IAQ monitor can be installed in intelligent building systems, air quality data collection systems, green building evaluation systems, and ventilation systems. The device gives insights into the air that occupants are breathing.

How beneficial would this be for the Indian workforce in the long run?

The pandemic has brought renewed attention to indoor air quality, which remains a significant yet invisible threat to building occupants. The 'new normal' demands building owners to constantly monitor IAQ and course-correct in real time. Hence, Honeywell's IAQ monitor becomes a strategic investment which helps create healthier spaces for occupants.

Developed by engineers at Honeywell Technology Solutions (HTS) in India, Honeywell's IAQ monitor uses an array of sensors for better accuracy. In addition to analysing the air and displaying readings on the device's touchscreen, the monitor can also communicate to a building management system (BMS) via Modbus protocol, further providing actionable insights to facility managers. The ecosystem enabled by IAQ monitor supports employee well-being and maintains healthy buildings.

What are your future plans with regard to these IAQ monitors and also air quality monitoring in general?

Our aim is to help create healthier buildings for the workforce in India. As offices open and welcome their employees, they should be well equipped with infrastructure that supports the well-being of employees. We worked to incorporate customer insights to develop an intuitive IAQ device that can be used as a standalone product or be integrated into an existing BMS. It provides facility managers with insights to make informed decisions on how to adjust key systems to create a healthier environment. We will continue to listen to our customers to help inform our products and provide solutions that help them to achieve business outcomes, like a healthier environment to improve the occupant experience.

Hits: 0