An Indoor Air Survey is a long trip. Let’s take it together.
Research processes are part of the everyday life of indoor air experts.
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Are you suspicious of your home’s indoor air quality?
A comprehensive Indoor Air Survey will ensure high quality of the research plan and condition survey.
- The research and measurement methods used in an Indoor Air Survey comply with the Decree of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on Health-related Conditions of Housing and Other Residential Buildings and Qualification Requirements for Third-party Experts (the “Residential Health Decree”, 545/2015) and its application instructions.
- The results of an Indoor Air Survey are interpreted according to the Residential Health Decree (545/2015) and its application instructions.
- The Raksystems expert team consists of professionals from several fields.
“First, you must determine what is causing problems. Next, you must find out where the cause is located. Finally, you will determine the scope of the problem.”
Elina Saukko, Department Manager, MEng, Building Health Expert (RTA), Indoor Air Expert (SISA, VTT)
Indoor Air Survey should never be rushed
In many cases, an indoor air research project starts when the users of the building notice that something is wrong. Health-related problems, unpleasant odours or visible changes on the surfaces of structural elements cause the need to investigate the matter. Completing the survey process as efficiently as possible – in terms of both money and time – benefits everybody. Many factors that cause impurities in indoor air cause similar health problems. The nature of health problems is therefore not a very good indicator of the underlying cause.
Sometimes the residents want the survey to be done quickly, but that is not always possible. Sometimes the site includes several risks, and investigating all of them in great detail at the same time would not be financially profitable. Hence, completing the surveys in stages is wise. The stepwise investigation will probably start with the most likely cause and proceed with ruling out other causes/sources stage by stage.
In most cases, people notice indoor air problems due to health problems
Indoor air problems are usually diverse, caused by the combined impact of several factors. An Indoor Air Survey is most often performed because people experience health problems in a property.
What does an Indoor Air Survey include?
An Indoor Air Survey usually includes the taking of samples and measuring the indoor air and/or structures. A good survey plan includes a comprehensive report of the required indoor air and structural surveys, as well as expert justification for their benefits and disadvantages.
The research and measurement methods used in an Indoor Air Survey comply with the Decree of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on Health-related Conditions of Housing and Other Residential Buildings and Qualification Requirements for Third-party Experts (the “Residential Health Decree”, 545/2015) and its application instructions. The results of an Indoor Air Survey are interpreted according to the Residential Health Decree (545/2015) and its application instructions.
Interpreting Indoor Air Survey results
The research and measurement methods used in an Indoor Air Survey comply with the Decree of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on Health-related Conditions of Housing and Other Residential Buildings and Qualification Requirements for Third-party Experts (the “Residential Health Decree”, 545/2015) and its application instructions. The results of an Indoor Air Survey are interpreted according to the Residential Health Decree (545/2015) and its application instructions.
An Indoor Air Survey may consist of the following, for example:
- Studies on microbes in the indoor air or structural materials
- Chemical studies of the indoor air or structural materials
- Opening structures to take samples from inside of them
- Measuring humidity content of structures
- Taking fibre and dust samples
- Indoor air quality measurements (incl. temperature, relative
humidity and CO2), as well as differential pressure measurements
- Determining air leaks from structures with tracer tests
- Investigating functionality of ventilation and air conditioning systems
Content of the Indoor Air Survey
- Determining the initial data and preparing a research plan for the Indoor Air Survey. This can be done by means of a site visit or by other means.
- Preparations for which the client is responsible, any required documents and limitations for the use of washrooms are specified in the preparation instructions (please see the appendix).
- The premises to be studied during the Indoor Air Survey are selected on the basis of the initial data and observations made on site.
- A written report will be prepared that presents the studies performed, their results and recommended further actions.
- An order for an Indoor Air Survey must be placed at the latest two weeks prior to the desired sampling date.
- The report is not a repair work specification or a repair plan, and the report does not include any estimates of repair costs.
Indoor Air Survey’s uncertainties
Determining the cause of indoor air problems is usually not possible simply by measuring the indoor air conditions. This is because locating any damage and determining its cause on the basis of the indoor air sampling results is difficult. Furthermore, indoor air measurements are always highly susceptible to activities in the indoor premises and the changing indoor and outdoor conditions. Concentrations in the indoor air may strongly fluctuate based on the time and location.
Hence, the condition and functionality of structures and devices (such as ventilation units) must usually be determined when investigating indoor air problems. The samples can, however, provide additional information on which additional structural and HVAC engineering surveys are necessary and how the damage (if any) influences the indoor air quality.
Request a quote or contact us!
Our customer service is available at our nationwide customer service number on weekdays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.