Some offices in the UK are drier than the Sahara Desert, leading to big problems for the occupants. However, it doesn't have to be that way, as Andie Chessun explains.
Specifying the correct humidification has always been a priority within specialist environments to meet the requirements to achieve carefully
controlled humidity and optimum air quality. Specialists are expected to be fully aware and capable of creating the specific environment for their product or process.

For example, a beer manufacturer requires a 50 to 70 per cent rH (relative humidity) level of around 4-8 deg C within the fermentation room to produce the best quality beer.

Choosing the right humidity is an essential component within many different industries, ranging from animal breeding to health care.

In recent times there has been an increasing awareness within non-specialist environments, such as the workplace, of the benefits of installing humidification equipment for increased air quality.

Despite this, many offices are still unaware of the risks posed by poor air quality that can greatly affect the equipment and the working environment.

The ideal and healthiest humidity for an environment at room temperature is between 40 and 60 per cent rH. Air at a low rH will extract moisture from any available source - and this can often be the individuals within the working environment. RH below 20 per cent - similar to the conditions that are found in the desert - has been recorded in some offices.

A lack of awareness

Working environments like this have been created as a result of a lack of awareness of the detriment to employees' health and general well being. For example, dry air is one of the main causes for respiratory infections as dehydrated skin and mucous membranes

will be unable to fight intrusive viruses and harmful bacteria effectively. If the enclosed space is specified at the correct humidity, the growth rate and speed at which airborne particles can be spread is significantly decreased. For example,
tests have shown that the influenza virus will live longer at a low rH level than at a 50 per cent rH (at which level the virus' virulence is greatly diminished).

Employers are also often unaware of the long-term damage that can be inflicted upon office workers. For example, around three million people in the UK wear contact lenses; these are highly susceptible to poor air quality and can easily dry out, potentially causing significant eye damage.

Research also suggests that a room with poor air quality can have adverse effects upon stress levels.

Relatively simple

Combating poor air quality is relatively simple and has the potential to provide additional benefits to a working environment in terms of higher efficiency, lower costs and additional eco-awareness. Humidification equipment can easily be added to an existing air conditioning unit and the recommended equipment for a retrofit could be an adiabatic high pressure or low pressure system.

In an adiabatic system, the water is finely atomised and introduced into the air without the need for thermal energy from an external source. Heat is produced from the air to transform the water into a fine vapour.

Adiabatic humidification is achieved through air humidification using atomising humidifiers. These devices produce aerosols which require energy during the evaporation process.

The process creates a useful byproduct by introducing a cooling effect. This occurs as the heat is drawn from the ambient air to transform the water into vapour. The overall efficiency of an air conditioning unit will therefore be boosted with a well set up adiabatic system having the potential to save energy of up to 30 per cent in the summer months.

An adiabatic system therefore reduces a company's dependence on more costly forms of cooling and can prove to be a wise economic investment as well as a beneficial addition to create a healthy and manageable working environment.

These systems also contribute to a greener working environment. For example, the high pressure system produces a very fine water mist without any standing water or the need for any additional chemicals.

The low pressure system operates with a water lubricated pump that can last up to five years, making it oil free, clean and safe. Both systems humidify with demineralised water and this avoids calcium deposits and reduces the need for maintenance.

Humidity control has a vital role to play in almost every type of building and working environment. Good air quality has a direct impact on the health of building occupants and the longevity of technical equipment. It also offers cost and eco benefits.

So, additional humidification will contribute positively to sustainability and it is essential to the infrastructure of a work space to reduce overall running costs and increase the comfort within a productive professional environment.

• Andie Chessun is business development manager of HygroMatik