Page 35 - CIJ Feb 2025 - Digital Edition

TECHNICALLY SPEAKING

Investing in IAQ management enhances
occupant health, workplace quality

and also delivers a direct return on
investment (RoI).”

– Vikas Saxena

India’s Regulatory due to poor ventilation, high commercial spaces without
significant structural changes is
occupancy, and the ingress of
Framework outdoor air pollution. These include achievable through:
India’s regulatory framework PM2.5, CO2, VOCs, carbon • Upgrading Filtration Systems
is still evolving, but several monoxide (CO), and high relative • Optimizing and regularly
guidelines provide a foundation for humidity (RH). maintaining HVAC systems
IAQ management in commercial Key advancements enable • Installing air purifiers with
buildings: monitoring and management activated carbon and HEPA
• National Building Code through real-time data collection, filters for targeted pollutant
(NBC) of India, 2016: Specifies analysis, and automation. removal
ventilation requirements, air • IoT-enabled sensors track • Enhancing ventilation to
exchange rates, and relative pollutants such as PM2.5, improve air exchange
humidity levels (40-70%) to VOCs, and CO2, displaying
prevent mold growth. data on centralized dashboards • Using dehumidifiers or
• Energy Conservation Building for facility managers humidifiers to maintain relative
humidity between 40-70%
Code (ECBC): Encourages • AI-powered platforms analyze
energy-efficient HVAC systems trends and forecast potential • Controlling pollutant sources
that balance ventilation with IAQ issues, enabling proactive by opting for low-VOC paints,
energy use. intervention adhesives, and furniture
• ASHRAE 62.1: Widely used for • Platforms integrate with HVAC • Deploying real-time monitoring
ventilation standards in Indian systems to adjust ventilation and through IoT-based IAQ systems
commercial buildings to ensure filtration automatically based on to identify problem areas and
occupant health and comfort. air quality readings implement timely corrective
action
While these codes provide • Automated reports simplify
compliance with standards and
valuable benchmarks, there is a support ESG (Environmental, • Introducing indoor plants such
as snake plants and peace lilies
growing need for mandatory IAQ Social, and Governance) to improve IAQ naturally
compliance frameworks in India. commitments The future of IAQ in India

Common IAQ Issues & • Smart systems balance IAQ lies in leveraging technology,
needs with energy efficiency,
Technology reducing costs without strengthening regulatory
frameworks, and prioritizing
In India, commercial buildings compromising health occupant well-being in building
often exceed recommended limits Improving IAQ in existing design and operations.
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