The consequences of COVID-19 have been extensive and long-lasting. Disruption to the economy and social structures and  healthcare provision remain evident today, and are often negative. But there have been some positive outcomes too.

Before the pandemic, any attention on air quality was largely confined to the outdoors and few outside of obviously hazardous environments gave much thought to the quality of indoor air. But the airborne nature of COVID-19 bought into focus how important it is to keep indoor air clean and healthy too. Almost overnight, indoor air quality (‘IAQ’) became a permanent public health priority.

Working in airflow control we’ve seen what that means in practice. Here are some of the most important changes we’ve witnessed:

1. Public awareness around the critical role indoor air quality plays in reducing the spread of airborne pathogens has increased significantly in the aftermath of COVID-19. Poor air quality is linked to other respiratory illnesses, including asthma and seasonal rhinitis as well as impaired cognitive performance.
2. Workplace protections: the pandemic reminded employers that their duties around the  health and safety of employees extends to the quality of the air in the spaces where they work. This has prompted building managers to look at building occupancy rates, ventilation rates and invest in more advanced airflow control and monitoring technologies.
3. Technical advancements: building managers and airflow control specialists continue to respond to the greater priority now being given to IAQ. At TEL we have seen, for example, a wholesale shift towards higher ventilation rates across most built environments beyond new regulatory requirements, the increased use of enhanced filtration (e.g. HEPA filters) and a reduction in recirculating air solutions.
4. Regulatory changes have underpinned behavioural changes and technical advancements. They include an update to Building Regulations (Part F) which introduced stricter standards for ventilation in both new and existing buildings undergoing work, the introduction of mandatory monitoring of CO2 in offices and high risk rooms, and new standards for mechanical systems that recirculate air. (Future Buildings Standards).
5. Energy efficiency has become critical to safe, effective airflow control. The increase in filtration rates and reduction in recirculating air methods (previously a highly cost effective means of ventilation) would seem to necessitate greater energy use – in direct conflict with carbon emissions goals. But industry has responded by working smarter instead, utilising intelligent building design, mechanical ventilation systems that utilise heat-recovery systems and, of course, energy efficient airflow control and monitoring systems – as pioneered by the team here at TEL.  

Breathe easy whatever business you’re in

Our products and solutions supply clean air precisely according to need without compromising on safety, and are used across all sectors including hospitals and healthcare, retail and education.

Give the team a call on +44 (0) 1457 865 635 to find out more.