Who’s Responsible for IAQ?
When it comes to property management or home ownership, one might wonder who is responsible for indoor air quality. In truth, just about everyone has a role to play, including management and tenants.
The Accidental Terrarium
IS YOUR AHU HIDING UNDISCOVERED LIFE?
When a tenant starts to complain about the indoor air quality of a building, the first thing your IAQ expert will do is examine the air handler units (AHU) in the complaint area. It’s easy to mistake an AHU as clean as a whistle based on outward appearances, but inside the AHU, an entire ecosystem can thrive.
2018 (Fashion) IAQ Guide
SPOTTED CEILINGS ARE NOT IN VOGUE
Acoustical tiles on the ceiling are as common in commercial buildings as gypsum wallboard or a broken printer. In fact, it’s somewhat unnerving to walk into a commercial building that doesn’t have acoustical tiles overhead! Classic white mineral board tiles
Who Can Clean Up Black Water?
WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT WATER CAN LEAVE YOU LIABLE
In elementary school, we’re taught water can exist in three states: liquid (drinking water), solid (ice), and gas (clouds or fog). Building owners and managers need have a greater understanding of water and to recognize that it comes in three categories in addition to the states of matter. These categories are defined by
Eyes That Follow
WHEN GOOD TROPHIES GO BAD
The average person will spend 90,000 hours of their life at work. That amounts to around 3,750 days spent at the office. When so much of your time is dedicated to one location, it’s no wonder people want to personalize their workspaces. Pictures of the family,
What Was the Dirt on Pig-Pen?
THE SOURCE OF THE DUST IN YOUR OFFICE
In the classic “Peanuts” comic strips, readers were introduced to an endearing cast of characters. Among them is Pig-Pen, a young boy who is constantly covered in a cloud of dust. We never learn where this dust comes from, though,
Where There’s Smoke …
CAN WILDFIRES IMPACT INDOOR AIR QUALITY?
In Texas, wildfire season reaches its peak in early fall, after months of hot weather dry up the land. Large portions of the state become like a box of kindling, and a single spark can set off acres of raging fire. While the images of burning flames can be terrifying, sometimes the biggest threat
The IAQ Dangers of Coffee and Microwave Popcorn
IS YOUR CUP OF COFFEE DESTROYING YOUR LUNGS?
What do Kona coffee beans from Hawaii and microwave popcorn have in common? They may both be classified as food, but it’s strange to compare one of the world’s most revered coffee beans with the late-night snack of those who haven’t been grocery shopping in a few weeks. However, while coffee
Is Your Business Hurricane Ready?
EMERGENCY PLANNING IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS
Hurricane season sweeps through the Lone Star State from June through November. While the Gulf of Texas is far less likely to be hit by a hurricane than Florida, the increasing number of tropical storms and hurricanes we’ve seen in recent years means you can never be too careful. Here’s what building owners and property managers need to think about when preparing their staff for an emergency.
No Zone for OZONE
WHY OZONE MIGHT BE MORE TROUBLE THAN IT’S WORTH
The use of ozone (O3) is often touted as an “allnatural” way to rid an environment of unpleasant odors. Some claim that an ozone generator can successfully remove odors caused by everything from mold to cleaning products. The truth is, while ozone is technically natural, that doesn’t mean it’s safe.