c j pepper
a design consultancyThe Convergence
What are the building environmental conditions that have a direct impact on occupant health? How do we monitor and measure them? What tools, standards and metrics do we employ? How do we link BMS to OCS.
BMS
Building Management Systems (BMS) monitor and manage building performance. Those that impact human health include occupancy sensors, energy consumption and utilization, air circulation and moisture content.
OMS
Occupant Monitoring Systems (OMS) would provide feedback to the BMS on ambient environmental conditions impacting human regulatory systems. For instance, feedback loops might adjust for CO2 levels through ventilation controls,
. . . designing for health and well-being
The Challenge
The “sick building syndrome” is still not a “thing of the past”, but it should be. Today, more than ever, the viral transmissions, including the common cold, the flu, and now COVID-19, summon the critical need for responsive leadership around the health and wholeness of the work environment. To overlook or discount the conditions that impact building design and performance on workplace well-being is to ignore their effect on absenteeism, productivity and trust.
Most solutions can be addressed by making modifications to systems that impact indoor air quality, lighting and comfort. Modifications might include UV air treatment, indoor air quality monitoring, viral-resistant surfaces, self-sanitizing door handles and health monitoring systems, to name a few.
The Question
How do we take our digitally connected building to the next level? For instance, building systems receiving feedback from occupant digital “wearables”.
The Value
One way to determine the effectiveness of these workplace modifications is by calculating reductions in sick leave and attrition while discounting other benefits.