#1 Ventilation in a changing world

Out and About in the next few weeks

Do check the events out if your not already attending and let me know in the comments if you are.

15th September I'm Talking at the Health and Safety Review Annual Conference in Dublin. Adjusting to the new OSH Era, I will be discussing the importance of air quality at work, its impacts on health and the new challenges of the work from home revolution.

20th September Attending the Neil May Memorial Lecture in London. Neil May was an inspiration to many across the built environment. Alongside his pioneering work on moisture in buildings he had passion for housing, social equality, and understanding the roots of the 'housing crisis’.

The guest speaker for the second Neil May Memorial Lecture is Josh?Ryan Collins (UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose). Josh will discuss the UK and wider high-income economy housing affordability crisis.

28th-29th September Speaking at a two day event hosted by Imperial Collage London on understanding air quality and developing the future of indoor air quality observatories in a net zero world. Ill be talking on day two about large scales deployment of air quality sensors and beyond.

This is the 2nd event co organised by the UK and France, the first held earlier this year in Paris at the CSTB HQ.

3rd-8th October Attending Annex 86 for discussions on Energy Efficient Indoor Air Quality Management in Residential Buildings then onto the AIVC Conference 2022 for the rest of the week themed this year - ventilation challenges in a changing world.

Publications Worth Reading

I finally got read CIBSE TM68 in the last couple of weeks, and if your professional involved in indoor air quality monitoring or you manage buildings and have considered monitoring them I would highly recommend a read.

"Measurement by itself does not increase occupant satisfaction. There must be consideration of how measured data are translated into outcomes that are relevant to human beings“

Its a great examination of IAQ monitoring today and full of practical insight into deployment and most importantly the capabilities and limitations of low cost indoor air quality monitoring.

Energy Prices

I don't think its escaped anyone's attention, the impact energy prices are having across all sectors, but most stark has been the warning of fuel poverty. With Half of all homes in the UK expected to meet the threshold of spending 10% of net income on fuel by January 2023 (Report), there are huge regional variations with 47.5% in London to 71.7% in Northern Ireland. For many its going to far far exceed 10%, with unconscionable decisions facing many families.

Its not just homes, I was speaking to one university this week in Ireland who's energy package as part of a big consortium is currently out for tender as its reaching the end of its contract (bad timing!) I cant say what the increases are, but I can say the impact is so severe the commentary is around shutting entire buildings down. Fiddling with a timer isn't going to cut it.

The knock on effects of this fuel crises are going to be deep and wide ranging. One such impact is people reducing how much they heat there buildings by, the impact of this, not with standing those on health and the immune system, will be on the increased risk of condensation damp and mold. As we heat our building less, we lower surface temperatures along with internal temperature, moisture remains and risk increases.

Another is the already fine line people are trying to tread following the increased focus COVID-19 brought on ventilation and the challenges of managing thermal comfort at the same time. Just speak to my kids or there teachers, on how this balancing act has been the last few winters.

Do we think kids and teachers will put up with a third cold winter of windows open? Is it still an emergency after three years? Will the cost of heating on everyone minds, play a part in decision making. My fear is that what ever sector we think of, ventilation and decent air quality is in serious peril this winter. Even after all we have learnt.

Someone to Follow

Gary Moody I'm sure he wont mind me saying, is a machine, when it comes to output on ventilation and IAQ. A genuinely nice guy who cares about the content he's putting out there and always happy to engage. You know what to do!