Most service sector and other office employees spend more than 80% of their time indoors. Buildings, therefore need to cater to their occupants – both in terms of their health and their productivity.
Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) which is also called Indoor Environmental Quality refers to the quality of the indoor environment within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health, comfort, and productivity of building occupants.
The recognised parameters of IEQ include:
-
Thermal Comfort
- Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Air Velocity
-
- Particulate Matter, Airborne Microbials, Carbon Monoxide, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), and Formaldehyde
-
Ventilation Effectiveness
-
Lighting
- Horizontal Task Illuminance, Vertical Task Illuminance, Lighting Uniformity
-
Office Cleanliness and Maintenance
Many tools currently use a qualitative, “soft-science” approach to measuring these IEQ parameters and this often involves the use of simple satisfaction surveys. Whilst perception is important, in order to derive conclusions and provide solutions, a quantitative, rational and measurable approach is required in addition to sourcing occupant feedback.
Our scientific and technical approach to IEQ (which we have termed Facility Ecology™) makes us a national leader in this field. To date, we have conducted several hundred IEQ investigations. Whilst many of these have previously be conducted following problems with the indoor environment, many innovative clients are now using an IEQ based approach to maximise the productivity of their workspaces (Work Environment Productivity Assessments).
CETEC has been a long term and firm advocate of improving occupant’s satisfaction and wellbeing, corporate productivity, and facility efficiency through the development and use of the National Australian Built Environment Rating Scheme (NABERS) for Office Indoor Environment.
Environmental performance of a building is only one step in sustainability; the ability to deliver a high performing indoor environment which facilitates a healthy and productive workforce is an imperative sustainability driver for the property and construction industries.
For more information about our related IEQ services: