Guidelines: Ventilation and Air Conditioning Following the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Good ventilation has always mattered in the workplace, but the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic moved it to the centre of health and safety. Long-standing guidance requires employers to provide an adequate supply of fresh air in enclosed areas of the workplace, and government guidance was updated during the pandemic to address ventilation and air conditioning specifically.

You can bring enough fresh air into your building through natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation, or a combination of the two. Alongside good ventilation, keeping the workplace clean and encouraging frequent hand washing all help reduce the spread of infection. Ventilation system inspections and risk assessments give you a clear picture of whether your air supply is as fresh and clean as it should be.

Why is ventilation so important?

Good ventilation is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Adequate ventilation lowers the concentration of virus in the air, which reduces the risk of aerosol transmission. This is when someone breathes in small airborne particles after a person carrying the virus has been in the same enclosed area.

The risk from aerosols is greatest in buildings and areas with poor ventilation, which is why it is important to keep your ventilation systems clean and running at full effectiveness. A system clogged with dust and debris moves less air and works less efficiently, so regular cleaning to a recognised standard such as BESA TR19 keeps performance where it needs to be.

Bringing fresh air into your building

You can improve the supply of fresh air using:

• Natural ventilation — opening windows, doors and vents to let outside air in.
• Mechanical ventilation — fans and ducted systems that supply and extract air.
• A combination of both, balanced to suit how each space is used and occupied.

Whichever approach your building relies on, the ventilation system has to be clean and well maintained to deliver the fresh air it was designed to provide. A neglected system undermines even a well-planned ventilation strategy.

Why is air quality so important?

Indoor air quality describes the quality of the air within and around a building, particularly as it affects the health and comfort of the people inside. It plays a significant role in general health and wellbeing, and it matters most for children, elderly occupants and other vulnerable groups.

Microbial sampling and monitoring for bacteria and fungi is central to keeping an indoor environment healthy. Indoor air quality testing and ventilation system inspections show you whether your air supply and your systems are meeting health and safety requirements, and where cleaning or remedial work is needed.

If you are unsure whether your ventilation systems and air quality are meeting current guidance, a ventilation hygiene survey will identify the gaps and the work needed to close them.

If you have a building with ventilation you would like inspected, cleaned or disinfected, arrange a survey and we will assess how best to support you.