IAQ Implementation Best Practices
Indoor Air Quality Management
High-performance indoor air quality management is achieved through intelligent HVAC air purification design, coupled with continuous measurement, integrated control, and life-cycle IAQ Maintenance Planning. When implemented correctly, IAQ engineering enhances public health, energy efficiency, ESG performance, and long-term asset value.
IAQ Implementation Framework
IAQ System Design and Engineering
Effective indoor air quality (IAQ) outcomes begin at the design stage, not after occupancy. IAQ systems must be engineered as an integrated component of the HVAC strategy, aligned with building use, occupancy density, climate conditions, and regulatory requirements.
Best-practice IAQ design considers:
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Building typology (healthcare, education, hospitality, offices, industrial)
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Occupancy patterns and peak load scenarios
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Climate-specific challenges such as heat, humidity, and dust
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HVAC configuration, airflow rates, and system redundancy
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Compatibility with energy and decarbonisation targets
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Measurement and Monitoring IAQ
Performance-based design - aligned with ASHRAE 62.1 IAQP - allows engineers to achieve measurable indoor air quality outcomes without unnecessary increases in ventilation or energy use. When correctly engineered, IAQ systems enhance HVAC performance rather than compete with it, delivering cleaner air with lower operational cost and greater system resilience.
BMS Integrated IAQ
True IAQ optimisation occurs when air quality systems are fully integrated into the Building Management System (BMS).
BMS integration allows IAQ to be:
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Actively controlled, not passively observed
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Coordinated with HVAC operation, occupancy schedules, and energy strategies
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Optimised in real time based on actual indoor conditions
Best-practice HVAC air purification enables:
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Automated control of air purification systems
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Performance-based ventilation strategies
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Energy optimisation without compromising occupant health
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Centralised visibility across portfolios and campuses
By treating IAQ as a controllable system variable - rather than a standalone add-on - organisations achieve better air quality, lower energy consumption, and improved operational resilience.
IAQ Measurement and Monitoring
If indoor air quality cannot be measured, it cannot be managed.
Continuous measurement transforms IAQ from an assumption into a verifiable performance metric. Real-time monitoring enables building owners and operators to understand how indoor air quality changes with occupancy, climate, and system operation.
Best-practice IAQ monitoring includes:
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Carbon dioxide (CO₂) for ventilation effectiveness
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Temperature and relative humidity for comfort and pathogen control
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Particulate matter (PM2.5 / PM10)
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Total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs)
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Ozone (where applicable)
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Trend logging and historical data storage
Advanced monitoring platforms provide dashboards, alerts, and reporting, enabling proactive intervention rather than reactive response. Measurement also supports compliance with WELL, LEED, and ESG reporting frameworks, providing defensible data for regulators, insurers, and investors.
IAQ Maintenance Planning
Long-term IAQ performance depends on reliability, maintainability, and lifecycle cost planning.
Best-practice IAQ solutions are designed to:
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Deliver consistent performance over time
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Minimise maintenance burden and consumables
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Avoid degradation due to fouling or component wear
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Integrate with standard facilities management practices
IAQ maintenance planning should include:
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Defined inspection and service intervals
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Performance verification and revalidation
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Replacement planning aligned with HVAC lifecycle
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Documentation to support compliance and audits
From a total cost of ownership perspective, IAQ systems that maintain performance without frequent filter replacement, chemical replenishment, or intensive servicing deliver superior long-term value. Proper lifecycle planning ensures IAQ remains a strategic asset - not an operational liability.