IAQ

OUR COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO INDOOR AIR QUALITY

HOW IAQ IMPROVEMENTS AFFECT

HEALTH, SAFETY, AND YOUR ROI Zogics is a leader in IAQ improvements and helping businesses thrive through personalized, smart solutions & products.

THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF IMPROVING IAQ OUR 4 STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR IAQ PRINTABLE IAQ CHECKLIST ...AND MORE

Prepared by Zogics • 888.623.0088 • zogics.com • hello@zogics.com

IN THIS GUIDE Indoor Air Quality Defined 3 The Business Benefits to Improving IAQ 5 Our 4 Steps to Improve Your IAQ 16 Zogics IAQ Solutions 21 Get Started Today 24 Glossary of Terms & Sources 25 Printable IAQ Checklist 26 Click above to jump to a section

BEFORE WE DIVE IN...

Our team of experts has over 15 years experience in providing people with the right products and services they need to thrive, including a wide range of indoor air quality (IAQ) solutions and systems for facilities across all industries and sizes.

This guide will educate you about the importance of IAQ to you and your business, but if you’re ready to address your IAQ challenges now, we’re here to help.

Click here to connect with a Zogics IAQ Expert today.

FIRST THINGS FIRST...

WHAT IS

INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ)?

EPA Definition Refers to the air quality and contaminants within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants.

Understanding and controlling common pollutants indoors can help reduce your risk of indoor health concerns.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality

While the official definition of IAQ focuses on contaminants, we approach IAQ from a whole-facility perspective, with the goal of not only reducing contaminants in the air but also improving the comfort level of building occupants through air quality improvements.

By treating both pollutants and creating more comfortable conditions, you can foster a healthy, productive environment for your people, attract top talent, reduce energy costs through IAQ solutions, and increase the value of your space.

REDUCE AIRBORNE POLLUTANTS

+

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IMPROVE INDOOR COMFORT LEVELS

3

Creating and maintaining a safer workplace means taking steps to protect your space, including air and surfaces. This guide outlines the importance of IAQ, and why improving it increases your ROI and strengthens your business. We also share our key steps that empower employers, managers and operators to help create a more protected workspace through improved indoor air quality.

In addition to other layered prevention strategies, taking actions to improve IAQ can reduce the risk of exposure to particles, aerosols, and other contaminants, and improve the health of building occupants.

WE BREATHE ABOUT

8 10 TO

LITERS OF AIR PER MINUTE.

In a room with other people, we are constantly breathing in this shared air.

WE’RE READY TO MAKE YOUR SHARED AIR BETTER.

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4

$ THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF

IMPROVING IAQ Better employee health and productivity

Reduce absenteeism amongst employees

Reduce energy costs and improved efficiency

Attract and retain talent

Increase market value for your business

74% of North Americans suffer from ‘air quality anxiety’.

We help businesses ease those fears by focusing on IAQ improvements.

Let’s take a look at these benefits. >

$ To get started with your IAQ improvements, contact us at zogics.com • 888.623.0088

5

THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF IMPROVING IAQ

BETTER EMPLOYEE HEALTH & PRODUCTIVITY Poor IAQ produces both building-related diseases as well as non-specific building-related illnesses (NSBRI), INCREASES IN AIR POLLUTION WERE ASSOCIATED WITH

also referred to as sick-building syndrome. NSBRI is a condition where individuals develop symptoms from

ACUTE REDUCTIONS IN COGNITIVE FUNCTION,

a build-up of irritants in the environment associated with poor ventilation. Symptoms include headache,

AND LOW VENTILATION RATES

drowsiness, burning, and irritation of the eyes, nose,

NEGATIVELY IMPACT COGNITIVE FUNCTION.

and throat, and sometimes cough. IAQ causes for NSBRI can be biological or chemical, but generally are at a concentration too low to cause identifiable disease. The illnesses usually do not culminate into long-term consequences outside the environment, yet are still important reasons to focus on IAQ.

IMPROVING YOUR BUILDING’S IAQ IS PART OF OUR SUCCESSFUL PREVENTION STRATEGY TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLBEING.

A recent one-year study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, which included participants in offices across six countries working in a variety of fields, including engineering, real estate investment, architecture, and technology, found that increased concentrations of fine

See how we were able to improve our own employees’ productivity with the Big Ass Fans Clean Air System >

particulate matter (PM2.5) and lower ventilation rates (measured using carbon dioxide (CO2) levels as a proxy) were associated with slower response times and reduced accuracy on a series of cognitive tests.

$ Source: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ac1bd8

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THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF IMPROVING IAQ

BETTER EMPLOYEE HEALTH & PRODUCTIVITY (CONT.) We understand and value the importance of employee comfort, health, & safety which is why we installed the Big Ass Fans Clean Air System in our own warehouse complex and company gym.

Conducting custom 3D airflow analyses identified opportunities to improve our IAQ, and showed us exactly how the Clean Air System would transform our air quality and comfort levels.

The Clean Air System’s technologies resulted in our employees feeling more comfortable while reducing energy consumption and saving on heating and cooling bills.

$

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THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF IMPROVING IAQ

REDUCED ABSENTEEISM (AND INCREASED PRESENTEEISM) AMONGST EMPLOYEES INVESTING IN AN IAQ IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY CAN RESULT IN

5

FEWER HOURS ABSENT PER YEAR, PER EMPLOYEE

The negative health impacts of dust, dander, dampness, and allergens are well known. Less discussed is the harmful effect poor air quality has on worker absenteeism.

Indeed, health-related absenteeism is a serious cost to businesses every year (these are absences above and beyond the occasional sick day). Absenteeism costs U.S. companies billions of dollars each year in lost productivity, wages, poor quality of goods/services, and excess management time.

Reduced absenteeism has been associated with a variety of IAQ-related factors, including improved ventilation rates, improved air filtration, and reduced dampness in buildings. In fact, according to an Embry-Riddle study, it was concluded that improvements in the indoor environment, such as increased ventilation, reduced recirculation of indoor air, and improved air filtration may reduce sick leave due to infectious diseases by 9 to 20 percent.

$ Source: https://commons.erau.edu, ScienceDirect.com

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AN ANALYSIS OF SICK LEAVE DATA FOR MORE THAN 3,000 WORKERS ACROSS 40 BUILDINGS FOUND THAT

57% OF ALL SICK LEAVE WAS ATTRIBUTED TO POOR VENTILATION.

THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF IMPROVING IAQ

REDUCED ABSENTEEISM (AND INCREASED PRESENTEEISM) AMONGST EMPLOYEES (CONT.) Of course, the best reason to maintain good air quality is to protect your workers. Think of how quickly illness or viruses like COVID-19 can spread via airborne particles among your staff. Not only would your business be losing an employee (or several) for an extended timeframe, but other workers will also most likely have to take on their responsibilities, adding to their workload, and increasing their stress levels.

Another reason to improve IAQ? You can boost presenteeism, or increased productivity due to improved air conditions, as discussed previously.

$ Source: https://cbe.berkeley.edu/research/impact-ventilation-productivity

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9

THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF IMPROVING IAQ

ATTRACT & RETAIN TALENT Investing in IAQ improvements for your facility can go a long way toward attracting top talent to your organization. By maintaining and improving your facilities and your air quality, you’ll have happier,

65%

OF U.S. RESPONDENTS

SAY THEY’RE READY TO

healthier employees who will be more able and

LEAVE THEIR JOBS

motivated to go to work each day, resulting in a

IF THEIR EMPLOYERS DON’T TAKE STEPS TO CREATE A HEALTHIER INDOOR ENVIRONMENT.

workplace that’s more welcoming, and higher morale for the individual workers as well as the entire team.

According to a recent Honeywell survey, 65 percent of U.S. respondents say they’re ready to leave their jobs if their employers don’t take steps to create a healthier indoor environment.

Ninety-one percent of U.S. office workers surveyed

91%

OF U.S. OFFICE WORKERS

SURVEYED RESPONDED THAT THE QUALITY OF THE AIR THEY BREATHE HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON THEIR HEALTH & WELL-BEING.

responded that the quality of the air they breathe has a direct impact on their health and well-being.

Compared to their European counterparts, U.S. workers are also more concerned about the airborne

See the Honeywell survey on the next page >

transmission of COVID-19.

$

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THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF IMPROVING IAQ

ATTRACT & RETAIN TALENT (CONT.)

This sentiment is significantly higher among C-level executives, with 73% reporting they would leave their job over an unhealthy indoor environment.

This compares with just 61% of non-C-level workers.

While 27% of surveyed Americans working on-site say their building has updated its air quality system, this is less common than short-term changes such as health safety protocols, health screening protocols and enhanced cleaning procedures.

In a competitive labor market, demonstrating an effort to create a healthier work environment is an advantage in attracting and retaining employees. Think of the dollars that you’re investing in upgrading indoor air quality as dollars strategically spent towards employee satisfaction and retention.

$ Sources: https://buildings.honeywell.com/content/dam/hbtbt/en/documents/downloads/Honeywell_Healthy%20Buildings%20Survey_Report.pdf https://buildings.honeywell.com/content/dam/hbtbt/en/documents/downloads/HBT%202022%20Healthy%20Buildings%20Report_FNL%2002%2015%2022.pdf

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11

THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF IMPROVING IAQ

REDUCED ENERGY COSTS & IMPROVED EFFICIENCY A study by the EPA shows the economic loss due to poor indoor air quality was in “tens of billions” of dollars per year and any investment towards good indoor air quality would generate substantial positive results.

ACCORDING TO THE EPA, AT LEAST

45%

OF ENERGY COSTS IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS ARE DUE TO HEATING AND COOLING EXPENSES.

The main factors that influence indoor air quality are airflow, thermal conditions, lighting, and odors and pollutants. It goes hand in hand that the expenses incurred to improve equipment, systems and cleaning of air pollutants ultimately reduce the energy spent trying to maintain the temperature and air quality. In addition, using IAQ products like fans and evaporative coolers in warmer climates can help keep temperatures steady all year long, and keep heating and cooling costs in line.

A study conducted by the Berkeley Labs explores the correlation between staff costs and the total building energy costs. For every dollar spent on maintaining

Check out the Berkeley Labs study on the next page >

optimal temperature, there have been economic benefits per worker as well.

$ Source: https://cbe.berkeley.edu/research/impact-ventilation-productivity/

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12

THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF IMPROVING IAQ

REDUCED ENERGY COSTS & IMPROVED EFFICIENCY (CONT.)

Cooling with Air Conditioning

Cooling without Air Conditioning

Winter Energy Savings

Air conditioning is expensive and

Productivity is proven to drop by up

When heat rises during the cold

inefficient, yet important to your

to 31% when work environments are

season, it can get trapped in the

occupants’ comfort levels.

too warm, not to mention negative

ceiling. This leads to massive

impacts to employee health.

heating bills.

that use a fraction of the energy of

Fans increase air speed and take

Air quality solutions like specialty

an HVAC system. These systems

advantage of the body’s natural cooling

ceiling fans mix air without creating a

allow you to reduce your overall air

process, and are an efficient way to

draft, meaning your spaces maintain

conditioning output, ultimately reducing

increase airflow and comfort without

a more steady temperature above

your overall energy consumption.

a big impact to your bottom line.

and below. The result? Up to 30%

Invest in ceiling fans and air movers

savings on winter heating bills.

$ Source: http://docs.bigassfans.com/ae-files/BAS-Energy-Brochure.pdf

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$ WHEN CALCULATING ROI, CONSIDER THE VALUE OF INCREASED OCCUPANT COMFORT IN ADDITION TO FINANCIAL SAVINGS.

THE BUSINESS BENEFITS OF IMPROVING IAQ

INCREASED MARKET VALUE By making solid investments in the IAQ of your facility, you make the building as a whole attractive to potential employees, tenants and investors, as well as increasing your building’s overall market value.

IAQ is one of the most economically beneficial elements of sustainability and building operations. Healthy buildings can utilize their IAQ programs as a powerful marketing tool for leasing, extending leases or selling since it makes for a compelling value proposition due to the economic impact.

“THE TEAM AT ZOGICS AND BIG ASS FANS WERE AMAZING TO WORK WITH. PROFESSIONAL, INFORMATIVE AND SERIOUSLY KNOWLEDGEABLE.

THE DIFFERENCE IN AIR QUALITY, CIRCULATION AND HUGE HEAT SAVINGS IS TOTALLY AMAZING. NEARLY EVERY CUSTOMER COMMENTS AND COMPLIMENTS ON THE CLEANLINESS OF THE AIR. THE SPREAD OF EVEN HEAT DISTRIBUTION WAS A TOTAL GAME CHANGER FOR US IN SAVING DOLLARS HEATING OUR COURTS AND GYM.”

JP Barbeau IAQ solutions provided by Zogics at Bousquet Sport, MA

Director of Tennis and Racquet Sports Bousquet Enterprises

$

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MOST AMERICANS SPEND

UP TO 90% OF THEIR TIME INDOORS AND MANY SPEND MOST OF THEIR WORKING HOURS IN AN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT.

Studies conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others show that indoor environments sometimes can have levels of pollutants that are actually higher than levels found outside.

So far, we’ve discussed WHY we focus on IAQ improvements and the impacts they have on your business and people.

Now, let’s show you HOW we make it happen. >

Source: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/office-building-occupants-guide-indoor-air-quality

To get started with your IAQ improvements, contact us at zogics.com • 888.623.0088

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OUR 4 STEPS TO IMPROVE YOUR IAQ Determine. Optimize. Enhance. Engage.

We approach IAQ improvements for your business by following the 4 steps below.

2

1

DETERMINE HOW CLEAN OUTDOOR AIR IS BROUGHT INTO YOUR FACILITY

3

OPTIMIZE FRESH AIR AND INCREASE VENTILATION

4

ENHANCE AIR FILTRATION AND CLEANING

ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY IN YOUR PLAN

Let’s start with Step 1 >

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STEP 1

DETERMINE HOW CLEAN OUTDOOR AIR IS BROUGHT INTO YOUR FACILITY AND DISTRIBUTED TO ALL OCCUPIED SPACES. One of the first steps we take is to understand and document how HVAC and air delivery systems work for your building.

If needed, we work with an HVAC expert to assess

Included in our assessment is the management of the

and inspect systems for ventilation, filtration, and air

direction of air flow for higher-risk areas of your building

cleaning to ensure that your facility’s air handling

(e.g. in a school nurse’s office, or more densely populated

systems are functioning as designed. This assessment

office space).

will also identify the maximum outdoor air your system We’ll make suggestions on implementation of other IAQ

can support.

assessment approaches such as air quality monitors We’ll determine how much clean air (outdoor air +

as needed.

filtered HVAC recirculation air) is needed and verify or measure air delivery for each room or space. If outside

We work with you to create an IAQ action plan that

air is provided through a mechanical system, then at

includes regular inspections and maintenance,

least 15 cubic feet per minute (cfm) of outside air must

including air purifier filter replacements, and HVAC filter

be provided for each occupant.

replacements and system upgrades or improvements.

One of the most important aspects of IAQ is understanding

As IAQ experts, we support the people who operate

air exchange rates (ACH). Simply, ACH is the rate at

or help with building and air distribution systems by

which outdoor air replaces indoor air within a room

providing continuing education and training as needed.

per hour. We discuss the optimal ACH for your specific building and occupants along with the ways to adhere to these standards.

Understand air exchange rates (ACH) quickly & easily on the next page >

Source: https://www.epa.gov/iaq-schools/heating-ventilation-and-air-conditioning-systems-part-indoor-air-quality-design-tools#OutdoorAirQuantity

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17

STEP 1 (CONT.)

AIR EXCHANGE RATES EXPLAINED FOR EXAMPLE:

How often should air be exchanged in a room?

ASHRAE defines the minimum outdoor air exchange rates in the US that specify how much outdoor air should be brought into a room every hour. Following these standards is one of the best ways to improve your overall IAQ and reduce the risk of airborne virus transmission.

USING A TYPICAL 30' x 30’ CLASSROOM WITH 25 PEOPLE,

What is eACH (equivalent air exchange)?

While air purifiers, ion technology, and UV-C lights

SUGGESTED ACH = 5–6 (Air is replaced at least every 10 minutes)

do not increase ventilation or true ACH, these solutions deliver equivalent performance in a different way. When talking about the impact

Refer to ASHRAE Standards for specific ACH levels based on your room size and occupant level.

these products make, the term eACH (equivalent air exchange) is used to clarify that the target

How can HVAC filters help eACH?

effective air changes are achieved through air

Per the EPA, HVAC filters are designed to filter pollutants

cleaning, purification, and other means besides

or contaminants out of the air that passes thru them.

just circulating outdoor air indoors.

Air cleaning and filtration can help reduce airborne contaminants, including particles containing viruses. The

Many IAQ solutions like air filters and cleaners are significantly more cost-effective ways to improve your indoor air (achieving a target eACH) than alterations to HVAC systems.

CDC recommends using the highest efficiency ventilation filters possible, without having detrimental effects on overall HVAC system performance, which in most cases are HVAC filters with a MERV rating of 8 and higher.

There are different ways to affect the ACH in each facility, and alterations to HVAC systems are often costly (typical HVAC units are designed for 1 ACH).

We’re experts at solving this challenge for you through products that provide cleaning technologies like UV-C to achieve an eACH (equivalent air exchange) that’s not just compliant, but hospital-grade.

Sources: https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/ashrae-air-changes-per-hour-office-residential/, https://covid.ri.gov/covid-19-prevention/indoor-air-circulation

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18

Image Shown: Big Ass Fans® in a commercial facility

STEP 2

OPTIMIZE FRESH AIR AND INCREASE VENTILATION

BY BRINGING IN AND CIRCULATING CLEAN OUTDOOR AIR INDOORS. We review ways to maximize your fresh air opportunities.

Ensure outdoor air is acceptably clean or is adequately

Adjust HVAC settings while considering temperature,

filtered as it is brought into the building. If there are

humidity, outdoor air quality, and energy use.

outdoor air quality issues, we recommend it’s best to leave windows and doors closed and use air purification

Consider running the HVAC system to refresh air before

systems to create cleaner air indoors.

arrival and/or remove remaining particles at the end of the day (e.g., 1-2 hours before/after the building is

Use fans and other air movers that supplement

occupied), as needed.

mechanical cooling with fresh air, to efficiently and cost effectively increase fresh air ventilation for your space.

Open your windows, as weather, outdoor air quality, occupant safety, and HVAC systems permit. If possible,

Run HVAC systems during all occupied hours to ensure

enable cross ventilation by opening windows and doors

clean air enters and is distributed throughout the building.

at opposite sides of the room or building.

Ensure that exhaust fans in bathrooms are functioning, and set fans to run during occupied hours.

Increase volume of clean, outdoor air at times of higher risk (specifically, at times of elevated risk of COVID-19).

We understand HVAC enhancements can be costly, or if you’re renting or leasing your space, not an option for your business.

We have solutions for you in our next step, whether you’re working with a tight budget, or HVAC constraints.

Let’s go >

To get started with your IAQ improvements, contact us at zogics.com • 888.623.0088

19

Image Shown: Zogics NSpire Air Filtration System

STEP 3

ENHANCE AIR FILTRATION AND CLEANING USING YOUR CENTRAL HVAC SYSTEM AND IN-ROOM AIR CLEANING DEVICES. Our third step brings purified, fresher air to your building and your people.

For HVAC systems, we recommend you install properly

Increase air filtration in areas with higher emission of

sized MERV-13 air filters or the highest rated MERV

airborne particles and aerosols (e.g., gyms, cafeterias,

filters that your HVAC system can accommodate.

or music rooms at schools).

Use portable air purifiers to increase air cleaning

Consider a system with upper-room Ultraviolet

rates in areas where air flow and central filtration

Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) or Ion Technology like

are insufficient. Select devices that are appropriately

Big Ass Fans® Clean Air System to not only circulate,

sized for the space in which they will be used. If noise

but clean the air. (More info on the next page.)

is a consideration, we’ll suggest purifiers with the lowest perceived sound levels.

Invest in effective air movers, like ceiling fans, to maintain proper circulation and ACH (air exchange rates). Zogics works with systems that are designed to meet ASHRAE’s guidelines for air exchange rates, resulting in significantly improved IAQ.

Another option: retrofittable ceiling tile air filter systems like Vidashield UV24, which are fully contained upper-room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) air purifiers that can retrofit into your existing tiled ceilings, deactivating pathogens and reducing the risk of indoor air transmission of viruses.

Every business and every space is different, which is why we offer IAQ solutions to meet any need. Take a look at some of our systems on the next page. >

To get started with your IAQ improvements, contact us at zogics.com • 888.623.0088

20

STEP 3 (CONT.)

ZOGICS COMPLETE AIR QUALITY SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY SPACE

WHAT IS UVGI TECHNOLOGY? A scientifically proven technology for over 70 years, Clean Air System fans with UVGI (UV-C) technology can move pathogens* through an antimicrobial zone where UV-C light destroys them.

*The Big Ass Fans Clean Air System UVGI (UV-C) Antimicrobial Technology kills 99.9% of viruses in the air in 20 minutes. Virus testing includes SARS-CoV-2 and PhiX174 bacteriophage.

To get started with your IAQ improvements, contact us at zogics.com • 888.623.0088

21

STEP 4

ENGAGE YOUR COMMUNITY IN YOUR ACTION PLAN. By communicating with building occupants to increase awareness, commitment, and participation, you’ll be sure to improve both your ROI and health outcomes.

Communicate to those affected (e.g., building

Provide feedback mechanisms such as maintenance

occupants, workers, students, teachers, and parents)

requests to identify repair issues and surveys to gather

about how the steps you are taking will improve

perspectives from your staff and guests.

indoor air quality and reduce disease transmission in your building.

Remember individual actions and layered prevention strategies (masking, social distancing, and surface

Show your work by hosting building walkthroughs,

cleaning and disinfecting) remain important measures

posting descriptive signage, or communicating on

for reducing the spread of viruses like COVID-19.

social media.

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22

Alondra Nelson

“WHILE THERE ARE VARIOUS

Head of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

STRATEGIES FOR AVOIDING BREATHING THAT AIR—FROM REMOTE WORK TO MASKING—

WE CAN AND SHOULD TALK MORE ABOUT HOW TO MAKE INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS SAFER BY FILTERING OR CLEANING AIR.”

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/03/29/white-house-covid-strategy-indoor-air-quality/

To get started with your IAQ improvements, contact us at zogics.com • 888.623.0088

23

IMPROVE YOUR IAQ TODAY

WITH ZOGICS, GUARANTEED.

With over 15 years of experience, our team will find the right products & solutions for your building If you are thinking of introducing IAQ products to your

to help you improve your IAQ standards.

facility, this is the best time to start your process.

From portable air filters, energy-efficient evaporative And, Zogics is the best partner for your business.

coolers, and air movers to HVAC replacement filters and complete facility-wide systems, Zogics takes care of the science behind IAQ so you can focus on the results.

Air Filtration Systems

Air Movers & Fans

Ceiling Tile Air Filters

SOME OF OUR IAQ BRANDS

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24

GLOSSARY OF TERMS Suggested Outdoor Air Ventilation Rate (air changes per hour)

ACH (Air Changes Per Hour): Air exchange rates, or “air changes per hour,” simply refer to the number of times that air gets replaced in each room every hour.

Homes: Hotel Rooms: Offices: Retail Shops:

are shed. Includes breathing, coughing, talking, sneezing,

Viral load: The amount of virus in the air. Air with a higher viral load will lead to greater chance of infection.

Hospital Area

Localized air purification: Refers to placing air purifiers in

Sports Facilities: Restaurants:

4–8 6–8

Min Outdoor ACH

Min Total ACH

2

6

Airborne Infection Isolation Room

2

12

Examination Room

2

6

ASHRAE Recommendation for Environments with a High Concentration of Viruses

the highest concentration of virus particles they might be distance, but research shows it can be much larger.

5–6

(except lecture halls)

Critical & Intensive Care

Breathing zone: The space around a person that defines shedding. In general, 3 feet is considered the minimum

Schools:

ASHRAE Recommendation to Maintain Comfortable Indoor Environments

Viral shedding: The mechanism through which viral particles and singing.

0.35–1 1–2 2–3 2–3

SOURCES CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/ index.html

areas that may feature instances of high viral load like offices,

FDA: https://www.fda.gov/media/136533/download

kitchens, and hallways.

documents/pd_infectiousaerosols_2020.pdf

ASHRAE: https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/about/position%20 ASHRAE: https://www.ashrae.org/File%20Library/Technical%20

Stagnant air: Air that has not gone through external

Resources/Standards%20and%20Guidelines/Standards%20Addenda/62-2001/62-2001_Addendum-n.pdf

ventilation. Viral particles have been shown to linger for

Harvard: https://schools.forhealth.org

hours in stagnant air.

EPA: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/office-building-oc-

EPA: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq cupants-guide-indoor-air-quality

HVAC: Refers to a building’s (H)eating (V)entilation and (A)ir (C)onditioning system.

EPA: https://www.epa.gov/iaq-schools/heating-ventilation-and-air-conditioning-systems-part-indoor-air-quality-design-tools#OutdoorAirQuantity Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/ health/2022/03/29/white-house-covid-strategy-indoor-air-quality/

MERV rating: Refers to the (M)inimum (E)fficiency (R)ating

Berkeley Labs: https://cbe.berkeley.edu/research/impact-ventila-

(V)alue for filters in HVAC systems. Increasing your HVAC

Big Ass Fans: http://docs.bigassfans.com/ae-files/BAS-Energy-Bro-

tion-productivity/

system’s filters to MERV 13 or 14 can improve chances of

chure.pdf

filtering out aerosols with virus particles.

ScienceDirect.com

The Value of IAQ: https://commons.erau.edu Honeywell: https://buildings.honeywell.com/content/dam/hbtbt/

External ventilation: Replacing a room’s air with fresh,

en/documents/downloads/Honeywell_Healthy%20Buildings%20 Survey_Report.pdf

outdoor air. Typically done by HVAC systems, but can be

Honeywell: https://buildings.honeywell.com/content/dam/hbtbt/

facilitated by opening windows and doors.

ings%20Report_FNL%2002%2015%2022.pdf

en/documents/downloads/HBT%202022%20Healthy%20BuildIOP Science: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ ac1bd8

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OUR IAQ CHECKLIST FOR SAFER WORKPLACES Print this list out and use it as a guide for your facility.

Per state and local guidance, if needed, require masks to reduce exposure to respiratory droplets.

If possible, reduce occupancy to lower contamination of air and surfaces.

Define indoor traffic flow with charts & signage to maintain social distancing.

Develop an enhanced cleaning protocol to help decontaminate surfaces. (Build a custom cleaning protocol specifically for your facility with Zogics—simply email us at hello@zogics.com to learn more.)

If possible, upgrade existing HVAC filters to lower risk of recirculating contaminated air.

Increase outdoor ventilation when possible to reduce recirculated air.

Use air purification tools like standalone air purifiers, HVAC UV-C lights and Clean Air System fans to help capture & destroy viruses and bacteria in occupied spaces. Evaporative Coolers and Air Movers can also help create more comfortable conditions.

Keep sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer fully stocked in easily accessible locations.

Create an IAQ action plan that outlines air purifier filter replacement, air flow opportunities, and system upgrades.

To get started with your IAQ improvements, contact us at zogics.com • 888.623.0088

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Questions? We love to help! zogics.com • hello@zogics.com • 888.623.0088

Research around steps to consider in maintaining health and safety in facilities continues to grow. Always stay aware of the latest guidelines from the FDA, CDC, WHO, EPA, and other government and regulatory agencies.

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