As we approach the one-year mark since community transmission of COVID-19 was first detected in the United States in February 2020, many employers are still not ready to welcome employees back into the office. They are missing the mark. You can have a healthy building that welcomes employees back. Here is how you do it.
First, you must have a layered approach to protocols that will result in a very safe environment. The key as we know now is to limit airborne virus transmission. Our state health departments have shared that aerosol’s and aerosol inhalation have contributed to outbreaks, spreader events, and individual transmission of the COVID Virus. To minimize the pathogen’s spread, experts have encouraged building owners and managers to enhance sanitation practices, and upgrade their heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems.
In the facilities management space, companies eagerly search for HVAC solutions that not only benefit the short term, but also make sense for the future once the pandemic is behind us. To ensure a worthwhile investment is made, facility managers and building owners of office spaces are challenged with creating a comprehensive plan for a healthy building which includes reducing airborne viruses and long-term leaving the building healthier with better Indoor Air quality.
A common approach simply follows these 3 strategies
- Air purification
- Enhanced ventilation
- Better filtration
The pandemic has redefined office spaces, remote work, and the employee experience entirely. Simply put, facility management teams must continually pivot to overcome employee “pandemic fatigue” and prioritize the health and safety of all occupants.
Part of the approach includes cleaning the air in your building. You can dilute air with enhanced ventilation and clean the air in your building by upgrading the filters in your HVAC systems to MERV 13 filters, which can remove a large portion of airborne particles.
Many facilities managers are turning towards the most economical solution to effectively disinfect air and prevent the spread of COVID-19: Bipolar Ionization Technology. With minimal energy costs, easy installation, and low maintenance, this technology solution can reduce coronavirus surrogate by 99% airborne and 80% on surfaces in 10 minutes. In other words, with bipolar ionizers employees can feel confident they are working for an organization that is invested in keeping them safe and healthy now and in the future.
Learn more about how bipolar ionization technology would work in your building by Contacting Enervise today.
