By Naveen Joshi – Director at Allerin
Works on Data Analytics and Strategies, Process Automation, Connected Infrastructure (IoT)
• Building managers can prevent laborers and building occupants from becoming prey to sick building syndrome with IoT (Internet of Things) technology.
When someone talks about air pollution, people tend to think of outdoors covered with smoke and polluted air. But with increased human activities such as electricity consumption, transportation, and deforestation, indoor air is getting polluted as well. Increased indoor air pollution is further leading to a rise in sick building syndromes. Sick building syndrome refers to a collection of medical illnesses and symptoms usually caused by polluted indoor air that affects a large number of occupants in a particular building.
There are many symptoms of sick building syndrome and many factors that contribute to it. Building managers are fighting sick building syndrome with IoT devices. IoT sensors can help to measure the environmental parameters to optimize the living conditions of occupants in a building and keep sick building syndrome at bay.
How building owners can prevent sick building syndrome with IoT technology
Let’s say one occupant of a building is suffering from itchy eyes and others suffering from some other medical symptoms. It becomes challenging to discern if the symptoms are due to sick building syndrome. But if 20% or more occupants of a building suffer from symptoms while being in building and symptoms ease when somewhere else, then it would be wise to investigate the possibility of sick building syndrome. And, IoT devices can be a pivotal solution for investigating and constantly monitoring sick building syndrome.
Connectivity is one of the most important factors driving the use of IoT devices. Building owners can connect IoT sensors to proactively identify and monitor parameters that contribute to sick building syndrome. IoT devices can prevent sick building syndrome by detecting the presence of contaminants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or particulate matter that can impact the occupant’s health. If levels of such contaminants exceed a certain threshold, then IoT devices can send alerts to building managers. Further, IoT devices can help control the temperature and humidity within the building area by adjusting them if needed.
Sometimes, ventilation systems are prevented from pulling enough outside air to maintain appropriate air levels within a building, to save energy. Building managers can use IoT-enabled ventilation systems that can automatically start and stop based on the healthfulness of the air in a building. Web-based mobile applications can show data gathered from IoT devices in a tabular form and allow building managers to make necessary decisions to prevent sick building syndrome.
Every building manager needs to regularly monitor sick building syndrome with IoT devices in their building for the well-being of occupants. And, not only building managers but also builders should use IoT sensors while constructing a building to provide more health-focused apartments to occupants, as even newly created buildings can be affected by sick building syndrome. Any building, whether old or new, can be affected by sick building syndrome. While the old buildings may be more susceptible to mold, the new building might have carpeting and furniture that can emit VOCs and lead to Off-Gassing.
