General (top of page)
Tracing the possible causes of health complaints in office buildings requires a specific and efficient approach. Especially for office buildings Monit’air makes risk analyses, also known as working place or building investigation. This particular method is based on a certain number of investigation stages. With our ‘Building in Use’ method we ensure a careful, efficient and integral approach.

Integral approach (top of page)
The ‘Building in Use’ method is based on investigation strategy proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). In regard to environmental investigation of complaints related to buildings the integral working method as recommended by the WHO is extremely important. This procedure consists of several investigation stages, which have been previously defined. The working conditions of the employees and the effect on their well being in relation to the overall working environment are particularly emphasized.

Orientation (top of page)
To realize an integral investigation procedure there will be a first orientation visit to the place where the problems occur in order to obtain an idea of the building and the present installation. During this visit a rough inventory is taken of all complaints. This inventory enables us to act as quickly and effectively as possible, increasing the chance to finalize all investigation steps with a positive result.

Complaint inventory (top of page)
An extensive inventory of the complaints – whether physically or not – is taken among employees and other building occupants.

The inventory results will be summarized in a report to the customer. Apart from facts and analyses the report gives also advise as to the future strategy, measures to be taken or complementary investigations.

In accordance with the customer’s approval as to the proposed complementary research, the measurement program and the strategy following the final investigation can be carried out on the basis of the existing measurement and investigation results.

Why an inventory instead of direct action? (top of page)
Starting by taking an inventory instead of taking action seems to be a complicated investigation method. This procedure, however, has proved to be very effective as it helps to gain insight into the complaint pattern, enabling to generate the maximum investigation result. Moreover, unnecessary measures are avoided which means the investigation stays affordable.

Experience has taught us that the complaint pattern is clearer and more objective by taking into account the statements of the building ‘complainers’ eager to improve the problem situation.

It is an advantage for the customer to encourage as many employees and other building occupants as possible to take part in the discussion in order to solve the problems. This method helps to achieve a rather quick and mostly also better result. This in contrast with conventional investigation methods, which do not or rarely involve the building occupants.

Investigation methods (top of page)
The ‘Building in Use’ method consists of following investigation stages:

1. Building Inspection: to gain insight into the characteristics of the building and the working places.
   
2. Building and Installation inventory: by means of the questionnaires related to the building and the present installations, the investigators obtain a clear picture of all important aspects regarding the building and the technical maintenance level. This inventory is discussed with the responsible managers.
   
3. Complaint inventory: by means of surveys among the employees – or at least a representative part thereof – an inventory is taken in order to determine the nature, the extent and the location of the complaints and/or complaint pattern.
   
4. Hypothetical diagnosis: In general the investigation results enable the establishment of a hypothetical diagnosis, explaining the complaints mentioned under point 3 on the basis of the observations under point 1 and 2. This hypothetical diagnosis will be completed with specific knowledge as to distinguishing marks of the building and the working places as well as biological, technical and chemical aspects on the one side and complaints and complaint patterns on the other side.
   
5. Hypothesis verification: in some cases the hypothetical diagnosis is so logical that verification will not be necessary. If an additional verification seems desirable or is specifically requested, there are various possibilities such as measuring physical, micro-biological, technical, chemical and other relevant parameters.
   
6. Solutions: as soon as the diagnosis has been defined, appropriate proposals and/or recommendations will be submit in order to improve the problem situation.

Measurements (top of page)
If a verification of the hypothetical diagnosis is necessary, various chemical, physical, micro-biological, technical or other measurements can be integrated into the investigation such as:

• Micro-biological investigation of dust, water and/or air in office buildings, hotels, production areas, air treatment installation etc.
  
• Investigation of dust quantities and/or composition of present dust in office buildings, hotels, production areas, air treatment installations etc.
  
• Inspection by video or endoscope in order to establish the extent of dust pollution in air ducts.
  
• Air quality investigation of the working place, establishing eventual layers of gases (CO2, O2) or other harmful substances.
  
• Comfort investigation of the working place by means of high-tech equipment making a short- or long-term survey of the indoor climate and thermal comfort.
  
• Investigation of working place related to noise, lightning, ergonomic and physical aspects.
  
• Continuous dust monitoring in air treatment systems, if necessary complete with dust composition analyses.
  
• Olfactory investigation

Other investigations (top of page)
Apart from the above mentioned investigations an investigation can also be necessary in the case of calamities or events that cause a great deal of damage and destruction. In such cases an investigation should avoid complaints to occur in a near or far future.

This kind of investigations can be as follows:

• To establish smoke and/or soot pollution in air ducts or in the air treatment system after a calamity (fire).
  
• To establish smoke and/or soot pollution in computers and office automation equipment after a calamity (fire).
  
• To establish water damage, for example in order to prevent mould growth.

Are you interested? (top of page)
A working place investigation is normally charged all in. For more details please feel free to contact Monit’air. We’ll be pleased to inform you without further obligation about our investigation methods and cost.