Work from home has almost ended and most employees have returned to their offices. How safe are they in a closed environment in the wake of the recurring waves of Covid-19?
As it is known, the risk of infection is high inside buildings due to the higher virus concentration. Therefore, ensuring safety in buildings is more crucial than ever. But, how can we make an air-conditioned building Covid-safe?
From the way it spreads, containment of coronavirus requires the adoption of more strategies than one. It requires a layered approach, as declared by the CDC. This includes all known methods from washing hands, wearing masks, practising social distancing, and sanitizing to advanced measures like the installation of thermal scanners and improvements to HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems.
How Covid-19 spreads in a building
Covid-19 transmission happens through tiny droplets. When an infected person exhales, talks coughs, or sneezes, these droplets can either get into the respiratory tract of other people standing close by through breathing or settle on their eyes, nose, or mouth. These droplets can also land on other surfaces around the person. It could be laptops, books, desks, or some other hard surfaces, which can, subsequently, cause hand transmission. The concentration of virus particles increases when there is no proper ventilation in place.
Now let’s discuss how we can keep the spread of Covid-19 to a minimum in commercial buildings.
1. Implementing proper air filtering systems
Air purification systems used in the buildings must have a minimum of MERV 13 rating. The higher it is, the more efficient the system is to deal with contaminants. MERV is the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value that determines the power of the filter to trap pathogens.
2. Using technologically advanced filtering systems
Choosing HVAC systems with activated charcoal and UV-C (UltraViolet Light) technology helps in trapping harmful chemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as removing deadly pathogens in the air. Though this is not scientifically proven as effective for eliminating coronavirus, it can provide extra safety in your building.
3. Making arrangements for proper ventilation
By making provisions to replace the stale air inside with the fresh air outside, you can remove the virus particles getting collected in the office atmosphere. Even if there happens to be an infected person around, repeated air circulation can prevent the concentration of virus particles to a large extent.
4. Doing a thorough cleaning
Frequent cleaning should be part of your daily routine. High contact points such as railings, door handles, switches, desks, laptops, taps, etc. must be wiped frequently. Together with cleaning, carry out sanitization programs once a week to rule out the risk of spreading. Sanitization cannot be done by the in-house cleaning staff. There are professional Covid sanitization companies in Dubai that can guarantee 100% results at reasonable costs.
5. Providing isolated cabins for sick employees
One of the disadvantages of an open office layout is that, if one employee gets sick, he can pass it to others easily. Creating separate closed cabins for sick employees with ample airflow in an isolated area can prevent the spread of infection in your workplace.
6. Putting thermal scanners in place
Installing infrared thermal scanners at the entrance of your office will help you detect anyone with a fever before they even step into the office. You can either give them the work-from-home option or allow them to work in isolated cabins.
7. Maintaining proper humidity in the building
Dry air is often attributed to a high risk of infection, therefore try to keep the humidity levels 40% in your building.
If you are running a business, these are the seven ways you can ensure that your building is Covid-safe.
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