CSI for Indoor Air Quality Testing & Treatment

A safe, healthy, and productive workplace environment is the concern of management, workers, and owners alike.  The quality of recirculated and conditioned air is an important part of the workplace environment.  Thus, it's important to act before comfort complaints negatively impact health and productivity.   CSI has published an informative article on Indoor Air Quality in the New York Real Estate Journal.

Phase One Indoor Air Quality Survey

This is our preliminary assessment and it's quite broad-based.  It is based on procedures established by the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA).  The following summary describes the testing and inspection procedures employed:

• Review of Specific Complaints
  We review the specific complaints reported, looking for time and location patterns and source materials.

• Inspection of HVAC System
  CSI engineers inspect and examine major HVAC system components including air handlers, reheats, filter systems, fresh air intakes, spillways, dampers, and other critical air system components.

• Temperature and Humidity Monitoring
  Using long and short term measuring equipment we monitor the temperature and humidity maintained in the work areas.

• Air Flow and Distribution
  Using velometers, smoke bulbs and other devices we randomly sample the quantity of air distribution in and around occupied areas of the buildings.

• Fresh Air Evaluation
  One of the most critical factors associated with indoor air quality complaints is the adequacy and quality of the fresh air intake.  Buildings with indoor air quality problems are frequently referred to as suffering from "tight building syndrome."  The accumulation of carbon dioxide is frequently used to detect buildings with inadequate fresh air supply.  The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) suggests that in buildings in which carbon dioxide levels exceed 1,000 ppm, the adequacy of the fresh air intake is suspect.

• CO₂ and Fresh Air Monitoring
  We continuously monitor and record carbon dioxide levels in to estimate the adequacy of fresh air exchange with recirculated air.  Using carbon dioxide colorimetric tubes, we compare indoor carbon dioxide levels to outdoor levels in order to estimate the adequacy of fresh air intakes.  We also observe the locations and types of fresh air intakes.

• Specific Contaminants
  Using specialized measurement devices such as colorimetric analysis tubes, diffusion tubes, or personal monitoring devices, we test for common indoor air contaminants where appropriate.  These contaminants can include dangerous toxins: formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, benzene, ozone, ammonia, and toluene.