Spec Finish

Feature 8 www.thefis.org BCO’s key considerations for future design In addition to providing a well ventilated environment for office users and adhering to minimum regulatory standards, designers will also need to consider the effectiveness of the solutions in maintaining a healthy indoor environment and minimising airborne infection transmission. Some key steps to consider in future designs include: • air-supply diffusers should be carefully selected to ensure good mixing, and to limit airflow distances and terminal velocities within the occupied space; • supply and extract systems are both important in defining airflow distribution, so the location of supply inlets and extract outlets must be carefully considered; • exhaust air points should be sited at high level; • the supply air should be conditioned to maintain humidity levels above 40% RH; • sensible cooling at terminal air- conditioning units should be prioritised so that coils and internal surfaces do not get wet, keeping them clean and preventing the build-up of fungi, mould and bacteria; • the use of air recirculation in central ventilation plant should be avoided; • there should be adequate separation of central air-handling unit intake and discharge locations to avoid unintended recirculation of air; • localised recirculation of air within an occupied space to maintain thermal comfort conditions is acceptable provided that the appropriate level of outdoor air is supplied to the space (fan coil units, induction units, chilled beams, fan convectors, etc.); • systems must be properly maintained and their performance monitored; and • where natural and mixed-mode ventilation strategies are used, careful consideration is needed to ensure that they continue to provide adequate ventilation under all external conditions, while maintaining a comfortable working environment. In future, there will be much greater interest in understanding the mechanisms of good ventilation in offices, and their effectiveness in limiting virus transmission. The BCO paper is free of charge and can be downloaded at wwwtinyurl.com/3jts53xs Case study The Spine is one of the first buildings in the UK designed to the WELL Platinum Building Standard®, certified for mental health and physical wellbeing. The Spine, located in the heart of Knowledge Quarter, Liverpool, includes the new northern home of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). Designed by architecture and building consultancy practice, AHR, the building is BREEAM Excellent rated for its sustainable approach and is one of the first buildings in the UK designed to the WELL Platinum Building Standard®, certified for mental health and physical wellbeing. When it came to finding the right paints for the project, AHR turned to PPG’s architectural coatings business to support the development of a coatings specification with indoor air quality and occupant wellbeing at the forefront. Creating a healthy workspace We spend themajority of our time indoors – and with indoor air beingmore polluted than outdoor air, it’s a topic that continues to gain attention. Indoor spaces contain a number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including formaldehyde, which is present in all houses and public spaces at varying concentrations and can be harmful at raised levels, sometimes causing breathing issues and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. Molecules are emitted from some common indoor materials including chipboard, fibreboard, furniture, carpet, glue and interior fabrics. IAQwas a high priority at The Spine, so the team at AHR needed to source paints that would help them achieve the building’s sustainability ratings. Robert Hopkins, Regional Director at AHR, said: “When it came to choosing paints for The Spine, we worked closely with PPG to find options that were water-based and would have the least possible negative impact on occupants and we found a paint that would actually improve indoor air quality. By using JOHNSTONE’S® Trade Air Pure, a bio-based wall and ceiling paint proven to purify indoor air, we’re optimising the air quality within the building and helping to enhance the general wellbeing of occupants, while limiting the impact on the environment.” Once applied, the revolutionary air purifying technology in the paint neutralises up to 70% of formaldehyde from indoor spaces and continues to do so for years after application. Other water-based and low-VOC solutions from PPG were used at The Spine to give a professional, long-lasting finish to its spaces. Mike Lee, PPGA&DDevelopment Manager, said: “The Spine is leading the way when it comes to prioritising the health and wellbeing of building users, so we were delighted to work with AHR and help them to achieve such high standards in sustainable design.” FIS office clean air For its office refurb, the FIS specified Hyperion LED ceiling light systems that use titanium dioxide to clean the air of microbes, toxins and odours, and help reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19. See more on page 30. HSE has just updated its latest advice on keeping workplaces safe. You can read it at www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/ harmful/ventilation.htm ¹ Clean Air Strategy 2019, published by Defra The Spine is one of the first buildings in the UK designed to theWELL Platinum Building Standard®, certified for mental health and physical wellbeing Continued from page 6