Building Safety Post COVID 19 – Is Your Building Safe?

As the world is trying to recover from the global pandemic and go towards the new normal, we are faced with an important task of keeping the building premises safe and infection free. We spend more than 65% of our time indoors and it is vital that the indoor environment is not only healthy, but it deters the growth of harmful virus and infections. It has also been well established that a healthy indoor environment also leads to better productivity, happier residents and increased building value. During the reopening of buildings closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, we at The Cotocon Group have developed a guidance to mitigate potential health risks. Making buildings safe for reopening is our number one priority.

Following are some of the methods that we implement to ensure that your building is as safe and comfortable as it possibly can be for the residents.

Mold Assessment

Mold will grow on any building material where there is moisture, produced from leaks or condensation from roofs, windows, or pipes, or from a flood. There is a huge risk of development of mold due to the prolonged shutdown and non-maintenance of buildings. Mold can significantly affect people with asthma and other respiratory conditions or weakened immune systems. The existence of an indoor allergen hazard (mold, pests) in any dwelling unit in a multiple dwelling, is declared to constitute a condition dangerous to health, which must be addressed by the owner. The Cotocon Group will conduct a thorough assessment to ensure that the building is free of any kind of mold development.

Incoming Outdoor Air Verification

The intent of incoming outdoor air verification is to reduce occupant exposure to indoor pollutants by ventilating with outdoor air. A thorough inspection of all equipment such as the Roof Top Unit, The Air Handling Unit and all HVAC related systems must be done to make sure that the air coming in from the outside of the building is of good quality. Improperly managed equipment can have negative affects on the health, comfort, and well being of the occupants.

 From a distance the Roof Top Unit (RTU) that supplies the building’s common corridors/spaces with outside air, heating and cooling seems to be operating properly.  This unit is essential for maintaining acceptable Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) throughout the building through the use of modulating air dampers, an energy recovery wheel, advanced air filtration, and humidity controllers.  Upon a more detailed inspection, there are issues identified that will not allow the Roof Top Unit to properly maintain IAQ standards, which can have negative affects on the health, comfort, and well being of the occupants

Indoor Air Quality & IAQ Flush Out

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality inside and around buildings and structures to ensure the health and comfort of building occupants. There are many common pollutants indoors and understanding and controlling them can help reduce your risk of indoor health concerns.

An IAQ Flush Out is the process whereby outdoor air is forced through a building for a period before the building is occupied. This process is done to remove air pollutants that produce gas, odors or any air particles from newly installed items. Items such as millwork, doors, paint, carpet, acoustic tiles, and movable furnishings release gases such as formaldehyde (HCHO) and other Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) which leads to lowering of the quality of air within the building. A flush out of the building removes all these pollutants and make the building safer for the residents.

HVAC Assessment

The purpose of a HVAC Assessment is to ensure that your heating ventilation and air conditioning systems are operating properly and delivering the right air quantities to the different air devices throughout your building.

The Cotocon Group is a team of certified professionals that can manage and enhance the performance of your building and also ensure it is safe and healthy. To know more, get in touch with us today!