How does Good Ventilation Keep Infections at Bay?

Ventilation systems are predominantly installed to reduce building temperatures and keep occupants cool. However, as another bonus, the improved air flow provides fantastic health benefits and helps prevents infection from spreading between occupants.

For public buildings, effective ventilation is required under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 Act. Employees and visitors are entitled to sufficiently ventilated buildings to prevent the onset of health problems.

Indoor air pollution is linked with a number of health problems including throat irritation, migraines, fatigue and even respiratory congestion. By investing in an effective ventilation system, you’re reducing the chances of inhabitants falling foul to these conditions.

How do Ventilation Systems work?

Ventilation will introduce ‘clean’ air into the desired area, removing the existing stale particles to create a fresher environment. This will reduce the room temperature and replenish the internal oxygen supply, boosting air quality for occupants.

Although this can be achieved by leaving doors and windows open, your heating bills will suffer and there’s also security risks. Likewise, mechanised fans have limited use as they simply recycle existing oxygen particles without introducing fresh air.

However, for buildings where people will be in the same vicinity – particularly schools, offices and hospitals – natural ventilation systems are far more effective. Fully automated systems in particular offer many advantages, using room sensors to open and close windows when needed.

Reducing Infection

The introduction of clean air not only counteracts the consequences of stuffy rooms but also reduces the effects of Sick Building Syndrome. This is where the accumulation of ‘bad’ air in a confined space leads to illness over a prolonged period of time.

In cases where numerous people are required to work, sit or study together in close proximity, these infections are more likely to spread throughout the unrecycled air. This is because the accumulation of bacteria, dust, odours and other contaminates can’t escape the room and so are passed on unknowingly.

Ventilated air will also reduce the likelihood of mould and damp forming inside your property – a proven cause of allergens, skin irritation and allergic reactions. These issues can cause respiratory infections for those with weaker lungs, resulting in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in extreme cases.

To keep these illnesses and infections at bay, a reliable air filter system will push away the bad allergens and pollutants before they can reach the body.

Ventilation Solutions

A high-quality ventilation system will stop infections spreading by ensuring new air particles are pushed into the room when required. Although this can be achieved via air vents or mechanical fans to some extent, they don’t generate sufficient air recycling to permanently stop infection.

For commercial buildings, a natural ventilation strategy is more desirable and will help create a clean indoor environment, safeguarding the health of those inside. A specialist ventilation company will be able to offer a bespoke solution for your building that can even integrate into a building management system for enhanced control.

If you’d like to know how a ventilation system can help your property, contact us today on 01277 633933 or sales@ljpratley.co.uk.For more information, take a look at What Poor Ventilation Can Do to Your Employees.