AS more businesses contemplate hybrid work models, facilities managers and property owners are looking for compelling value- to give them a competitive edge in a crowded market. Supplying the latest clean air technology not only keeps employees healthy and lowers absenteeism, but it also appeals to an increasingly health and lifestyle conscious tenant. In 2022, it makes sense for air quality to be on the agenda of all managers of office parks, co-working spaces, hotels and corporate head offices. ”We associate South Africa with beautiful, clear air, but the fact is that many of us are going to work every day
and breathing in air that is unsafe. Building regulations are designed to minimum standards, but employers should be looking to maximise the air quality,
not only because it is the right thing to do, but because of the very clear benefits that come with improved air quality,” says Edward Hector, MD at SFI Group.
It’s not only those buildings close to refineries and other obvious pollutants that suffer from air quality challenges. South Africa is a hot country and Hector points out that bringing in large volumes of fresh air means having to cool it down to a more tolerable workplace temperature.
”The more fresh air you bring in on a hot 32 degree day, the harder the air conditioning system works to cool that air down to 21 degrees, and this has associated energy costs. When we shifted to green buildings the thinking was to minimise fresh air. It’s only now with Covid that the thinking has reversed,
but there is a trade off when it comes to energy costs. The sensible route is to ensure the air that is already circulating in the building is as clean as possible,”
he says.
New technology based on tested science
Hector believes the best solution for South African companies is technology first pioneered by Albert Einstein.
“Bipolar ionization has been in commercial use since the 1970s. The process delivers ionized oxygen molecules into the air that then neutralise chemical compounds, mould, dust, smoke, and even viruses in a matter of minutes. Airborne particles are charged by the ions causing them to cluster and fall to the ground or be caught in standard HVAC filter systems as they cycle. The ions produce a chemical reaction on the membrane surface of viruses and bacteria that immediately makes them inactive. While the technology is not new, further refinements of the process have resulted in efficiency rates of 99.9% and now come with UL certification for zero ozone emission,” he explains.
Hector explains that the small bipolar ionisation module is installed in the airstream of existing air conditioning systems and, unlike many other options, is relatively maintenance free.
Cleaner air is good for business
Green buildings have been shown to lower operating costs through energy and water savings. They also aim to promote a healthier working and living environment, however all this is for nothing if the air that is being breathed in is sub-par,” Hector says.
“Commercial property owners are constantly looking for ways to attract and retain good longterm tenants. Tapping into an increasingly important health
and wellness advantage will land particularly well in the current climate. More than just the office headquarters, hotels and co-work office spaces could
add outstanding air quality to their list of offerings. Today’s consumers are exceedingly concerned about what they are putting into their bodies. What we breathe in should be even higher on our health agendas. There is no doubt that air quality could be a real business differentiator as we move into 2022
and beyond,” Hector sums up.
For more information contact Edward Hector, Edward@sfigroup.co.za, 0860 555 734
