Author: RGS Distributors

The Urgent Need for Better Indoor Air Quality in Schools

Before they turn 18, America’s children will have spent about 15,000 hours inside school buildings. Given the tremendously important time spent learning and growing in schools, shouldn’t the buildings enhance students’ health and not compromise it? An extensive body of research has shown that improving air quality indoors can increase academic performance, raise test scores and reduce airborne transmission of respiratory infections. If classrooms, libraries, assembly halls, gyms and cafeterias were filled with cleaner, fresher air, we’d be well on our way to a generation of healthier, more productive students. But we aren’t on our way because nearly half of the heating and cooling systems in our schools need to be upgraded or replaced, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Read More Here

ESG: The Facility Manager’s Role

For the facility teams who no longer want to be looked at as glorified sanitation engineers, tool belt men and women, or hot and cold call responders — and want to take their facilities programs to the next level — ESG provides that opportunity. Many companies and organizations realize that it is no longer acceptable to operate solely off the idea that the bottom line is all that matters. Instead, they are contributing beneficial investments in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG). Read More

Elevating Building Standards: Beyond COVID to IAQ Excellence

Indoor air quality remains a priority, but HVAC decarbonization efforts gain momentum for managers Institutional and commercial facilities have been paying closer attention to improving indoor air quality (IAQ) in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the pandemic fades away, maintenance and engineering managers are expanding their focus. While IAQ will always be a priority, managers are also dedicating more time and resources to issues like sustainability, energy efficiency and building performance, and they are getting up to speed on regulatory compliance changes. “While high indoor air quality may not always be visible, its positive effects deliver significant benefits to building occupants, tenants and owners,” says Greg Alcorn, senior vice president, healthy buildings for Carrier Commercial Systems. “In the wake of the pandemic and in the new normal of hybrid work, commercial building owners need to differentiate to attract quality tenants and grow asset value. Tenants have an advantage to attract employees that are focused on health and well-being.” Read More Here

Indoor Air Quality Impacts Student Performance and Comfort

Good IAQ can improve a student’s overall academic performance. Indoor air quality (IAQ) has become a topic of interest for many facilities, including schools. IAQ can impact a few different things, such as the health and comfort of students. However, could it also impact their academic performance? The short answer is yes, though the longer answer is a bit more detailed. In this video, FacilitiesNet interviews Dan Boggio, the founder and executive chairman of PBK Architects, about the various effects IAQ can have on students. One key benefit of good IAQ to students is improved health, which plays a role in them being more awake and alert throughout the school day. Thus, it will allow students to pay more attention to and learn more from their studies. In addition, monitoring IAQ in schools and providing that data to students can help them feel confident in their facilities. Meaning that they know the establishment they are attending cares about their health and well-being. In turn, this all plays into an overall improved performance for the students academically. Read More Here

ASHRAE Issues Standard on Airborne Infections

Fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic continues. For more than three years, institutional and commercial facilities have contended with raised expectations related to indoor air quality (IAQ) among occupants, visitors and the general public, and they have responded with changes to ventilation and air filtration systems and practices. Now maintenance and engineering managers have guidance on which to base future IAQ decisions. Read More

Poor Indoor Air Quality Concerns More Americans

Respondents suggest that being inside for extended periods of time has a negative effect on their health because of poor indoor air quality. By Mackenna Moralez, Associate Editor Americans are still concerned about indoor air quality and whether or not health issues contribute to being indoors for long periods of time, a recent report by R-Zero found According to the report, 44 percent of respondents say that their physical health is negatively impacted by being indoors for long periods of time. In addition, 51 percent also said that their mental health is also negatively impacted by being indoors for long periods of time. They survey found that more Americans are worried about their health due to poor indoor air quality and have noticed multiple symptoms from being inside for extended periods of time. Symptoms include: Headaches (39 percent) Nose or throat irritation (33 percent) Fatigue (32 percent) Decreased productivity (25 percent) Dizziness (18 percent) Read More 

China faces a new Covid wave that could peak at 65 million cases a week

The country once had some of the harshest Covid restrictions on the planet, but the response from the government and the public is relatively muted this time. BEIJING — China is bracing for a new wave of Covid infections that could see as many as 65 million cases per week by the time the surge peaks at the end of June. It’s a startling prediction in a country, where the pandemic originated in late 2019, that only months ago had enforced some of the harshest Covid control protocols on the planet. Now, with the latest omicron variant, XBB, fueling a resurgence in cases, the response from China’s government and the public is muted at best. The surge comes about six months after the country dismantled its sprawling infrastructure for dealing with Covid, including harsh lockdowns, mass testing, stifling quarantines and strict mask requirements. “People feel differently about this wave,” said Qi Zhang, 30, who works at a finance company in the northern city of Tianjin. “The last time, everyone was terrified, but now they don’t think it’s a big deal,” she told NBC News on Thursday. Read More