Reprinted from the ACJ - Sept, 2002
As kids, we used to catch honey bees in a jar. We ran around the field at the end of our street timing the opening of the jar to snag another without releasing the dozen already in the jar. We would hold the jar up to our ear and listen to them buzz. After an hour or so the air in that jar had a unique smell. A mixture of flowers and honey and what I assumed was bee gas. What is a memory inducing childhood smell for me was probably considered poor indoor air quality to those bees.
Monday morning rolls around and, like the bees in the jar, we buzz around the office; unaware of the pollutants swirling above us in the air. Americans spend up to 90 % of their time indoors. A good share of that is at work. The EPA has found that levels of pollutants, indoors, can actually be higher than those measured out of doors. This indoor pollution can result in what is termed �Sick Building Syndrome�.
Three categories of contaminants should concern us: Biological agents, such as bacteria, fungus and molds. Chemical substances, like cleaning agents, cigarette smoke, and vehicle combustion exhaust. This is a major concern in our line of work; where an auto repair shop is attached to the office. Particulate matter, dust and pollen, make up the third group. Individuals react differently to these allergens at different levels. Folks with asthma may have a hard time breathing at contaminant levels most people don�t notice. But if everyone in the office is coughing, has a headache, and red eyes, the air may be to blame.
What can we do to keep the bees happy? For those of us with offices attached to repairshops, the most important consideration is airflow. We have to make sure that the hazy, blue funk floating in the shop goes out the garage door and not through the parts window to the inside. In the cool spring and autumn we have the windows open, providing circulation, but in summer and winter we have to be more creative. Don�t block air vents or return ducts with furniture, or carpet. Replace filters regularly so as not to limit air flow. One of the best ways to keep shop air in the shop is to adjust the air flow to keep a slight positive air pressure in the office. That way whenever a door is opened air flows out, not in. If the heating/cooling system is the same for the office and shop; adjust vents to release more air in the office. Also, be sure that your return air or make up air is not being drawn from the shop or down wind from the shop. An exhaust fan in the shop can aid in providing a negative pressure in the bays. Hold a match or lighter up to the office door as you crack it open and make sure th flame or smoke is being pulled out into the shop and not being blown back in.
Other considerations include moisture and humidity. Excess moisture will allow bacteria and mold to grow. Sometimes to levels that can make a building uninhabitable. Similar to moldy gym socks in your kids backpack. Don�t let the air conditioner drip on the carpet. Be sure the office plants aren�t soaked and overflowing. Chemical pollutants, such as, cleaning agents, fumes from new carpet or fresh paint, can irritate the eyes and nose. But, by far the worst indoor allergen is cigarette smoke. If you allow smoking in the office (after proper hand washing of course) the air flow must be exceptional. If not, the carbon monoxide and other chemicals will build up. Red eyes and dry coughs, even in the non-smokers will result. Particulate matter, the small floaters you see dancing in the sunbeams, is made up of dust, dander and pollen. All of these can irritate eyes and nose and cause you to plug up like a 20 year old heater cor if you have allergies or asthma. Replace degraded carpet or drapes; vacuum and �dust� often. Try to introduce a little fresh air into the system. You can leave a window cracked open, or install a fresh air intake on the heating/cooling system. The open parts window to the back shop doesn�t count.
A person typically breathes approximately 60 cubic meters of air in an 8 hour day. That�s a small warehouse full of air. It is to our advantage, in avoiding lost time to illness, to ensure that the warehouse full of air is as clean and healthy as possible. Also if your office is really small and the workers don�t seem to be buzzing around as much as usual; try poking a few holes in the top. It works with bees.
The above article was written by David M. Brown, Chief Engineer of Johnson Manufacturing Company, Inc. and is published by JOHNSON with the expressed approval of the National Automotive Radiator Service Association and the Automotive Cooling Jornal. Other reproduction or distribution of this information is forbidden without the written consent of JOHNSON and NARSA/ACJ. All rights reserved.
JOHNSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY
114 Lost Grove
Road / PO Box 96 / Princeton, Iowa 52768-0096
Phone 563-289-5123 or
Fax 563-289-3825