IAQ a very important aspect for healthy living: ISHRAE

Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) refers to the quality of the air inside buildings. This is determined by factors such as indoor air quality, thermal comfort, lighting quality, acoustic conditions, as well as furniture and space layout. According to an article shared by the Indian society of heating, refrigerating and air conditioning engineers (ISHRAE), we breathe on average 12,000L of air every day. The report further stated that breathing clean and quality air consuming quality food and water is highly recommended for any human or living being. But the most unfortunate part is that all the solid consumable items like food, aerated drinks among others, are tested rigorously where as the air quality stay’s unfiltered and unorganised. Because of which the outdoor air quality had recently peaked to ‘severe’ levels, there’s no good way to tell whether the air we breathe inside our homes is clean or not.

Research has shown that the pollutants present in our homes have a clear link with productivity, sense of well being and occupant health. In the long term, they lead to asthma, allergies and severe headaches. Understanding the significance of the same, ISHRAE is committed to increase awareness about the importance of the Indoor Environment Quality (IAQ) and its impact on human health. In fact, ISHRAE has been highlighting the importance of IEQ in buildings, since the design and operation of HVAC systems in buildings can significantly expose occupants to air pollution.

Below mentioned are few key significant findings from a report drafted by Central Building Research Institute:
Indian building occupants are more adaptive and tolerant of higher temperatures during the summer conditions than predicted under the PMV model are more comfortable over a larger range of air velocity
Additionally, high tolerance for humidity was also found, especially in warm and humid climatic zones.

Based on these findings, ISHRAE continues to stand firm in its position regarding the Indoor Air Quality and a few other essential aspects, including:
Controlling contaminants at the source is the most important activity to improve air quality. Purification of the outdoor air before being supplied to buildings is an important factor in balancing the IEQ
Good construction and installation practices, low emission operation and maintenance are important to improve IAQ
Wherever outdoor air quality does not meet the national AQI, emphasis should be put on ventilation and filtration
ISHRAE recognises the value of gaining direct feedback from occupants to understand the occupant satisfaction and experience of IEQ aspects

In this regard, Vikram Murthy President of ISHRAE said, “ISHRAE has recognised that the issue of indoor environment quality needs urgent attention of designers, operators and building owners. We have also identified the necessary extensive field studies that cover different building types, locations, age groups and work profiles. Such studies should be conducted following the international protocols for measurements of IEQ parameters, transport methodology of analysis and finally validation of research findings.”

The Indian society of heating, refrigerating and air conditioning engineers (ISHRAE), was founded in 1981 at New Delhi by a group of eminent HVAC&R professionals. ISHRAE today has more than 28,000 HVAC&R professionals and Student-members. ISHRAE operates from 43 Chapters and sub Chapters spread all over India, with HQ in Delhi. It is led by a team of elected officers, who are members of the Society, working on a voluntary basis, and collectively called the Board of Governors.

For more information, visit:
www.ishrae.in