AWN Consulting is commissioned by a multi-national software manufacturer on an annual basis to conduct a survey of the indoor air quality environment in one of their three buildings in Dublin. The surveys are conducted in order to ensure that air quality meets the relevant health and safety standards. Routine testing also ensures an optimum work environment for their staff.

The most recent survey was undertaken in April 2012. Monitoring was carried out on each floor of the building for the following parameters: carbon dioxide, temperature, relative humidity, carbon monoxide, total dust and respirable dust.

The CO₂, CO, temperature and humidity measurements were performed using Q–Trak^® Indoor Air Quality Analysers. The Q-Trak^® Instruments were programmed to take a measurement every 2 seconds and record the average reading every 5 minutes.

In order to assess the acceptability of an indoor environment, reference must be made to current best practice guidelines, which in Ireland are those published by CIBSE (The Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers). In the absence of CIBSE Guidelines, the ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air conditioning Engineers) Guidelines are applied.

The Health & Safety Authority have set Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) values for total and respirable dust. These OELs are detailed in the NAOSH 2010 Code of Practice for the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations, 2001.

Once the survey was complete, AWN analysed the data and presented it in both tabular and graphical form, along with a technical report. The report contains a discussion on the significance of the results, comparison with relevant standards and recommendations, where required.

Our team has experience working on a range of other indoor air quality assessments. Monitoring can be conducted for the following parameters:

· Temperature

· Relative Humidity

· Carbon Monoxide

· Carbon Dioxide