Sick building syndrome - SBS

Sick building syndrome - SBS is characterised by occupants complaining of illnesses which appear to have no relationship other than occupancy of the same building, area or room. Symptoms are wide ranging but include:

• headaches
• eye, nose or throat irritation
• dry or itchy skin
• nausea and dizziness

Most of these symptoms disappear quickly when the occupant is removed from the affected building. Sick building syndrome doesn’t only affect offices, shops, etc but also factories and workshops, leading to increased absenteeism and reduced productivity.

Indoor air quality - IAQ

The causes of sick building syndrome can be difficult to diagnose, however it is commonly related to poor indoor air quality - IAQ resulting from:

Contaminants from indoor sources. i.e. smoking, photo copying machines, cleaning products and industrial chemicals, combustion by-products from heaters, welding equipment, etc. and fumes from manufacturing and work processes etc

Contaminants from outdoor sources. i.e. motor vehicle exhausts, drains, or dust drawn in through open doors, windows or poorly designed air inlets etc

Inadequate ventilation. New Buildings - Demands for lower energy costs means new buildings are better insulated and more airtight, reducing natural ventilation

Old Buildings - In an attempt to reduce refurbishment costs as buildings are renovated the original ventilation system is adapted and extended, resulting in poor performance

Flexible air ducts

Dilution ventilation - An axial fan draws air in from outside the building, using overhead ventilation ducting to distribute the fresh air. Old stale air is either expelled through open doors and windows, or removed by extraction fans.

Displacement ventilation - Flexible air ducts at floor level, release low velocity cool air which heats up and rises, carrying fumes, smoke and dust away from the workforce. Displacement ventilation is particularly suited to dusty environments.

Activair flexible air ducts