The workplace is where your employees spend the majority of their time during the week, and having great air quality is crucial not only for their health but also for their productivity. Improving the air quality in your office minimises the risk of your employees having to take sick leave, as it reduces the level of respiratory diseases and allergens in the air. Investing in a high-quality air purifier is one of the best ways to improve the air quality in your workspace. There’s no shortage of air purifiers on the market, but how do you know which is best? This is our comprehensive explainer guide to why you should invest in an air purifier and the factors you must keep at the forefront of your mind during your search. The Importance Of Indoor Air Quality In The Workplace Indoor air quality (IAQ) is vital in the workplace, and it refers to the quality of the air within indoor spaces. Poor indoor air quality correlates directly with the amount of sick days taken in workplaces. Having a poor IAQ can cause a number of different detrimental health side effects, including allergies, headaches, dizziness, nausea and respiratory problems. The World Health Organisation has called air quality “the world’s largest single environmental health risk,” so there is definite cause for concern regarding your workplace's IAQ. Not only is it vital for ensuring workplace health and safety, but it’s also crucial for maintaining a great reputation in your industry. What Kinds Of Rules & Regulations Are In Place For Workplace IAQ? There are a number of different rules around IAQ that are set out in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulations. These regulations state that all workplaces must be ventilated with enough fresh air to prevent ill health. The HSE recommends a fresh air supply of 5-8 litres per second per person but in commercial buildings, 10 litres per second per person is the recommendation. Investing in air purifiers for business is a great way to ensure that you are always compliant with the most current IAQ regulations. When it comes to air quality, the air introduced into a workplace needs to be free of impurities or airborne diseases that may cause illness. But with so many air purifiers on the market, how do you know which is best for your business? Choosing An Air Purifier: Everything You Need To Know When it comes to air purifiers , there are a few things you have to be aware of in order to get the most out of your model – there’s no point investing in an air purifier if you’re not going to see any benefits. These are some of the most important things you need to be aware of when you’re looking for an air purification system that will work for your space. 1. Room Size Knowing the room size is crucial if you’re looking for an air purifier for your workplace. There’s no point investing in a model that isn’t large enough when you calculate your air volume. 2. Your Problem Knowing your problem is key to figuring out which purifier is going to work best for your business. First uncover if your IAQ problems are to do with viruses, mould, smells or something else entirely so that you can tailor your solutions to best suit your needs. 3. Your Needs Once you’ve got your room size and your problem pinpointed, you can begin to look for an air purifier that creates the correct number of Air Changes per Hour (ACH), if this isn’t able to be achieved, your air purifier won’t perform. You also have to be aware of the types of filters that you need as this can have a big impact on ACH. It’s crucial to choose a model that has the right sensor for your needs, otherwise, the auto mode becomes redundant. For example, if smells or dust are the major problem you’re facing, having a model with an in-built CO2 detector isn’t necessary. Types Of Businesses That Can Benefit From Air Purifiers There are a number of businesses that benefit from air purifiers and it’s not just office spaces. Hotels, nursing homes, construction sites and student accommodation are all examples of spaces where IAQ is crucial. Hotel rooms, student accommodation, and offices that lack ventilation can experience issues with both air quality and mould, so ensuring you have an air purification process in place is vital to ensure the safety of employees, guests, and residents alike. Office spaces may benefit from ultra-quiet models that can be on at all times without interrupting telephone calls or important meetings. Whilst hotels and student accommodations may benefit from a wall model that has both air purification and dehumidification in a single unit so you can improve ventilation, prevent mould and improve air quality. Types Of Filters For Your Workplace HEPA HEPA air filters can trap 99.97% of airborne particles that are 0.3 microns or smaller. They remove allergens like dust, mould, pollen and dander. They can also effectively remove smoke and fumes. HEPA filters are great for use in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices, and other areas where constant air purification is an absolute must. Carbon Filters Carbon filters use activated carbon to remove smells, gasses and pollutants from the air. They’re great for removing smells from smoke as well as removing volatile organic compounds like paint, cleaning products and construction materials. They are also effective at removing gasses from acetone and paint fumes, so they are great for construction sites. UC-V UC-V purifiers use Ultraviolet-C light to eliminate airborne pathogens like bacteria, viruses and mould spores. They are great for air purification in areas where reducing airborne pathogens is vital. The UV-C light is combined with filtration technologies like HEPA or carbon filters to neutralise and remove any potential contaminants. Air Purifier Placement Placement matters when it comes to choosing an air purifier for your workplace. You need to ensure it is off the floor, which saves space and ensures that it doesn’t just get unplugged and forgotten about by an employee. Wall models are a great option for businesses as they can be wired into an electrical circuit to be on 24/7. These are perfect for workplaces as you can “set and forget” your air purifier and rest assured that the IAQ in your space is in line with UK regulations. They’re also great as they save space and are a discreet option if aesthetics are important to you. Ceiling models (with noise reduction) are another popular option for workplaces. They can be easily added to the correct positions so that the room's individuals benefit directly from the clean airflow. How Can Ultra Protect Help You? If you’ve been wondering how to choose a good air purifier for your business, our team at Ultra Protect is here to help. In addition to our range of air purifiers, we also have InBiot , a smart solution that monitors and enhances your building's indoor air quality in real-time. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current air purification process or you’re moving to a new space and want to start fresh, we can provide you with bespoke solutions that will work for your business. Contact us today for a consultation or for more information on how you can effectively improve the IAQ in your workplace.

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Air quality is a problematic factor influencing public health and environmental well-being. In the UK, specific cities have a standout reputation for air quality, achieved by combining solid ecological policies, geographic advantages, and proactive sustainability measures. In this article, the air quality specialists at Ultra Protect explore these cities, delving into their current air quality indices, historical pollution challenges, and strategies to maintain clean air. How is Air Quality Measured in the UK? In the UK, air quality is measured by the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI), which ranges from 1 to 10 in bands from Low to Very High. This index uses concentrations of four principal pollutants: nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter. Stations that monitor pollution nationwide collect information on primary pollutants, allowing experts to get accurate and real-time air quality assessments. This monitoring network is overseen by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, providing the public with up-to-date data on air pollution levels. UK Cities with the Cleanest Air 1. Edinburgh Current Index: Edinburgh maintains a DAQI in the Low. History of Pollution & Measures Taken During the industrial era, Edinburgh faced extremely high levels of smoke and sulphur, pollutants attributed to vast amounts of coal burning. Since then, the city’s governing powers have implemented environmentally favourable measures to establish smoke control areas and promote greener energy sources. The introduction of the Edinburgh Air Quality Action Plan further targeted emissions from transport and industry, significantly reducing airborne pollutants. Why Edinburgh has Clean Air By garnering citywide collaboration and instating environmental policies, Edinburgh can successfully maintain better air quality. The city’s efforts to reduce vehicle emissions through low-emission zones and promote electric vehicles have played a significant role. Geographical Location & Affect on DAQI The city of Edinburgh is set along the east coast of Scotland and benefits from coastal winds that assist in dispersing pollutants. The city’s environmental efforts and geographical location greatly contribute to its commendable air quality. 2. Aberdeen Current Index: Aberdeen maintains a DAQI in the Low. History of Pollution & Measures Taken Aberdeen's industrial activities have historically contributed to air pollution levels, specifically in the oil and gas sector. In response, the city enforced the Aberdeen City Air Quality Action Plan, which, like Edinburgh, focuses on reducing emissions from transport and industry. Promoting cleaner technologies and establishing monitoring stations have played a pivotal role in Aberdeen’s environmental efforts. Why Aberdeen has Clean Air The city implemented hydrogen-powered buses and proactively promoted cycling and walking. Combined with stringent regulations regarding industrial emissions, Aberdeen’s initiatives have improved the city’s air quality. Geographical Location & effect on DAQI Like Edinburgh, Aberdeen’s natural disposition as a coastal city means its air quality benefits from prevailing winds. 3. Dundee Current Index: Dundee maintains a DAQI in the Low. History of Pollution & Measures Taken Being an industrial city, Dundee once experienced air quality issues due to manufacturing activities. However, the city has since combated these challenges by implementing the Dundee Air Quality Action Plan, which promises to reduce industrial emissions while promoting sustainable transport. Why Dundee has Clean Air With a dedication to environmental and ecological sustainability, Dundee has greatly reduced pollution, as seen in the city’s extensive electric vehicle charging points network. The city’s efforts to reduce traffic congestion, introduce greener modes of transport and encourage electric vehicles have profoundly impacted air quality. Geographical Location & Affect on DAQI Dundee is situated along the Firth of Tay, which provides the city with natural ventilation. 4. Portsmouth Current Index: Portsmouth maintains a DAQI in the Low. History of Pollution & Measures Taken As a historic port city, Portsmouth has had pollution from maritime and industrial activities. The Portsmouth Air Quality Action Plan concentrated on reducing shipping and road traffic emissions and has seen big improvements. Why Portsmouth has Clean Air The city has promoted cleaner shipping technologies, set up low-emission zones, broadened public awareness with environmental campaigns and invested in sustainable transport to tackle pollution. Geographical Location & Affect on DAQI Portsmouth's coastal location, with sea breezes as an essential factor, facilitates the natural dispersal of pollutants. 5. Bath Current Index: Bath maintains a DAQI in the Low. History of Pollution & Measures Taken The historic Roman city of Bath’s air quality was once severely affected by vehicle emissions and industrial activities. However, over time, various initiatives have been implemented to reduce pollution and address these environmental concerns. In 2021, the city introduced the Clean Air Zone (CAZ), which targeted highly polluting vehicles to curtail emissions associated with road traffic. Other efforts, such as installing green spaces and promoting pedestrian-friendly areas, have worked to preserve Bath’s cultural heritage and safeguard the city’s overall air quality. Why Bath has Clean Air The Clean Air Zone has significantly reduced vehicular pollution while further decreasing dependence on cars through the promotion of public transport and cycling initiatives in the city of Bath. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bath has increased the implementation of strict policies to nurture and maintain the city’s environmental well-being. Geographical Location & Affect on DAQI Bath is located in a valley and surrounded by hills. Although its geographical location may at times permit concentrations of emissions, the city’s proactive policies offset these difficulties, allowing air quality to remain consistently impeccable. Factors Contributing to Clean Air in These Cities These cities have achieved impeccable air quality through environmental policies, sustainable technology, and geographical location. Promoting public transport, establishing low-emission zones, and investing in sustainable infrastructure have only proven beneficial. For more detailed information on air quality indices and monitoring in the UK, resources such as the UK-AIR website provide comprehensive data and updates. Taking Control of Your Air Quality Clean air is essential for our health and the environment. As UK cities like London still struggle with air quality, reminding us that the battle against pollution is far from over; cities like Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Portsmouth, and Bath—though they may be geographically well-positioned—have also instated the correct measures to maintain a low DAQI. Whether you live in a city known for its clean air or one still working to reduce pollution, protecting your health is vital. The experts at Ultra Protect offer advanced air quality assessments to help you safeguard your indoor air quality. Don’t wait to take control— get in touch today and take your first breath towards cleaner air.

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