Workplace Ventilation Requirements: The Basics Explained

Addressing your building’s workplace ventilation will help you manage your heating and cooling. Learning how to manage your indoor air will help you create a safe work environment.

Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) professionals make up more than $136 billion industry. This means it’s easier to address your workplace ventilation requirements with the backing of some contractors that can help you.

Here’s what you should know.

Know the Legal Requirements for Workplace Ventilation

Once you open a business and use commercial space, you must know the legal requirements for workplace ventilation. Standards have been in place since the 1980s due to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards.

States also set legal requirements for their workplace ventilation systems. The New Jersey Indoor Air Quality standard also sets laws for your ventilation requirements.

Handle OSHA Compliance

There are also workplace standards set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that commercial businesses need to follow. Staying in compliance with OSHA ventilation standards involves a lot of potential details, including:

• Maintaining indoor temperatures between 68 degrees and 76 degrees Fahrenheit
• Getting rid of contaminants like carbon monoxide
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for supplying outdoor air and filtering it inside
• Keep air pure to keep pollution at bay
• Circulating air at a standard that gets rid of toxins

If you don’t maintain OSHA compliance, your company can get hit with fines and violations. You can also hire an independent professional to inspect your property to make sure your ventilation systems are up to OSHA standards.

Learn about OSHA Compliance to make sure you’re making the correct changes.

Look Into Air Quality

You must also follow air quality standards for New Jersey and your industry’s standards. Following your statewide air quality standards protects everyone’s breathing while at work.

Invest in an indoor air quality test so you can explore whether there are any pollutants you need to get rid of. Fixing your ventilation system will help you get the most from your indoor air quality and cycle out these pollutants.

Create an Overall Safe Work Environment

Get an indoor air quality (IAQ) prevention and maintenance plan to create a safe work environment. Keeping your air up to high parameters will help you avoid Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, and other problems.

Maintaining adequate ventilation will also prompt you to maintain temperature and relative humidity in your building. Keep your HVAC system tuned and change your air filters. Get your thermostat calibrated and clean the air ducts.

Maintaining and repairing your HVAC system will let you keep getting the best from your indoor air.

Address Your Workplace Ventilation Requirements

These tips will help you fulfill your workplace ventilation requirements. Creating a safe work environment will help you keep your employees and team at their best and on the same page.

Let Atlantic Environmental assist you with your ventilation needs. Send us a message or give us a call at (973)366-4660.