Concerns over indoor air quality and in particular unusual odours within a bank were reported to Clearwater via a facilities management company. The client was not only concerned about the odour creating an uncomfortable working environment but whether or not the situation was having a negative impact on the health of their staff and the public visiting the branch.

There are a wide range of factors that affect our everyday working environment from the air quality, lighting, desk layout, type of task being undertaken to local external conditions.

Solution

Clearwater Technology working closely with the bank staff via their appointed facilities management incumbent were able to attend site the next day prior to the bank opening to the public to undertake a suite of Indoor Air Quality assessments which tested for parameters including temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, airborne particulates and airborne micro organisms.

Results

The parameters, not requiring laboratory analysis, immediately indicated satisfactory air quality with results recorded being within Charted Institute of Building Service Engineers (CIBSE) guidelines.

As well as reporting on these results, Clearwater Technology noted external factors that may have caused these intermittent odours. It was reported that the cleaning fluids used may be leaving residues on surfaces leading to unfamiliar odours in the banking and public area.

A full report was submitted detailing results with a summary of findings and recommendations enabling the bank to demonstrate that the air quality in the working environment was suitable for their staff. Further to this they were able to investigate cleaning materials used and methodology and eliminate its impact on the working environment.

Continual Improvement

Further to this initial assessment Clearwater Technology have continued working with the bank via the facilities management company to ensure compliance with the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulation 1999 by offering regular Indoor Air Quality assessments.