Cadillac Fairview Occupant Engagement Program User Guide
- June 10, 2024
- Cadillac Fairview
Table of Contents
Cadillac Fairview Occupant Engagement Program
Healthy Indoor Air
The guide to Improving Indoor Air Quality provides information on how to
maintain clean indoor air quality in the office and at home. Indoor air can be
two to five times more polluted than outdoor air and can drastically impact
our health, performance and productivity. The quality of the air we breathe
can be impacted by simple things like the products we use, cleanliness, and
personal habits.
What Impacts IAQ?
Indoor air pollution is more discrete and can be difficult to identify.
Things like particulates from tobacco and VOCs from perfumes and candles are
hard to recognize. Just because we can’t see it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t
exist.
What is CF Doing?
Cadillac Fairview is committed to investing in initiatives that support
enhanced air quality at all properties. They have developed a comprehensive
evidence-based IAQ maintenance strategy for RBC Centre and Simcoe Place.
What to Do at the Office?
Maintaining clean indoor air is a shared responsibility. In addition to the
many procedures in place at RBC Centre and Simcoe Place to ensure clean,
breathable air, consider some of these simple actions while in the office.
What to Do at Home?
By creating a simple and low maintenance air quality management plan at
home, you can drastically improve indoor air quality for your family. Some
easy tips to keep in mind are outlined below.
Should You Buy an Air Purifier?
Extras
The following resources provide further information on managing indoor air
quality:
Occupant Engagement Program: 2021 Campaign
Product Usage Instructions
- Follow the simple actions mentioned in the guide to maintain clean indoor air quality in the office.
- Consider creating a simple and low maintenance air quality management plan at home, using the easy tips provided in the guide.
- Refer to the resources mentioned in the guide for further information on managing indoor air quality.
HEALTHY INDOOR AIR
A Guide to Improving Indoor Air Quality
Occupant Engagement
Program : 2021 Campaign
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air
and can drastically impact our health, performance and productivity. The
quality of the air we breathe can be impacted by simple things like the
products we use, cleanliness, and personal habits. This guide contains
information on how you can help maintain clean indoor air quality in the
office and at home.
CONTENT
- What impacts IAQ. Learn about the common sources of contaminants and the different impacts those sources can have.
- What Cadillac Fairview is Doing. Cadillac Fairview has a comprehensive IAQ maintenance plan to help maintain a healthy indoor environment. Learn what they’re doing to help keep you safe.
- What to do at the Office and at Home. Learn what you can do to recognize and reduce sources of contamination in the office and at home.
- Additional Resources. If this guide peaks your interest, learn more about how to manage air quality long-term
WHAT IMPACTS IAQ?
Outdoor air pollution can be easily recognized. We notice that the outdoor air might be harmful when we see dark smoke, notice toxic smells, and unpleasant tastes. Indoor air pollution on the other hand, is more discrete. Things like particulates from tobacco, and VOCs from perfumes and candles, are difficult to identify. Just because we can’t see it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist
There are a range of sources that can impact IAQ. These can include: combustion from oil, gas, and wood; tobacco smoke; building materials and furnishings; damp materials and carpet; cleaning products and personal care products; and outdoor pollutants being brought inside. The impact of a source depends on how much a source can emit and how harmful those emissions can be. Sources such as building materials, furnishings, and air fresheners have the ability to emit pollutants continuously. Other sources–such as tobacco smoke, space heaters, and cleaning products–emit pollutants intermittently and can be easily discontinued to reduce air quality deterioration. Additionally, it’s important to remember that there are natural causes of indoor air pollution which may be more difficult to recognize. For instance, we breathe out carbon dioxide, which in low quantities is non-toxic. However, it can become hazardous if high concentrations of carbon dioxide accumulate in small, air- tight spaces. Additionally, many microorganisms and bacteria are naturally present on surfaces and inside buildings. However, it may become problematic if large concentrations of them spread, unmanaged.
WHAT IS CF DOING?
Cadillac Fairview is committed to investing in initiatives that support enhanced air quality at all properties. Through consultations with our HVAC Advisory Committee and National Operations Group, we developed a comprehensive evidence-based IAQ maintenance strategy for RBC Centre and Simcoe Place, which includes the following.
- Frequent Air Testing. RBC Centre and Simcoe Place conduct regular testing of common IAQ contaminants to ensure a healthy indoor environment.
- Safe & Effective Sanitization. Cadillac Fairview maintains a high standard of cleaning, implements enhanced environmental cleaning practices, and chooses safe and effective, low hazard cleaning products to keep both our spaces and indoor air clean.
- High-Quality HVAC. Cadillac Fairview works alongside a team of qualified engineers to ensure the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system meets industry best practices and aligns with ASHRAE recommendations. High efficiency air particle filters are used throughout RBC Centre and Simcoe Place to treat indoor air.
- Smoking Ban. To improve indoor air quality and prevent pollutants from entering the building, Cadillac Fairview enforces a smoking ban near entryways, balconies, rooftops, and building air intakes.
WHAT TO DO AT THE OFFICE?
Maintaining clean indoor air is a shared responsibility. In addition to the many procedures in place at RBC Centre and Simcoe Place to ensure clean, breathable air, consider some of these simple actions while in the office.
- Avoid Blocking Air Vents. If your vents are blocked, this can force the HVAC system to overload, preventing fresh air from being circulated. For optimal IAQ, ensure all air vents and grilles are clear and free of barriers and furniture.
- Keep Your Desk Clean. Keeping your desk tidy and free of clutter prevents a build up of dust, and makes it easier to clean. If you use cleaning supplies at your workstation, be sure to only use green products and limit the introduction of harsh chemicals that can impact indoor air quality. For a guide to green cleaning, refer to Cadillac Fairview’s Green & Effective Cleaning Guide.
- Monitor Desk Plants. While plants can contribute to filtering toxins, improper maintenance of your office plants can negate the impact of having plants around. Mould often grows in plants that are watered too frequently. To avoid this, perform routine checks to ensure your desk plant is healthy.
- Limit Scents. Where possible, avoid wearing fragrance or bringing fragranced items into the office. Things like diffusers, room sprays, and perfumes can release contaminants and be disruptive to those with a sensitivity to scent.
- Use Revolving Doors. Revolving doors are an efficient tool for keeping pollutants outside and maintaining the efficiency of the HVAC system inside. Consider opting for the revolving doors when entering and exiting the office, if you are able to.
WHAT TO DO AT HOME?
By creating a simple and low maintenance air quality management plan at home, you can drastically improve indoor air quality for your family. Some easy tips to keep in mind are outlined below.
- Watch for Outdoor Pollutants. Smoking and idling vehicles outside of the home can emit a wide range of chemicals. To improve indoor air quality, start by eliminating indoor smoking and smoking outdoors within close proximity to windows and doors. Avoid idling your car, gas-powered lawnmowers or snowblowers inside the garage, making sure the door between the garage and home is well-sealed.
- Use Your Range Hood. Electric and gas stoves both have the potential to generate indoor air pollutants. Cooking with high temperatures, such as frying, has the potential to emit more particulates than other cooking methods. When cooking, try to use the back burners and turn on the range hood.
- Avoid Indoor Combustion. Where possible, limit burning incense or heavily fragranced candles. As a healthier alternative, choose candles which are made from beeswax or soy, which produce less soot than traditional paraffin candles. During the colder months, if you’re using a propane gas or kerosene space heater, ensure that you have adequate ventilation. These space heaters release toxic air pollutants through combustion when used improperly in unventilated spaces. For a safer option, consider the wide range of electric space heaters available on the market.
- Watch the Humidity. Humidity can be difficult to manage, particularly in the winter when our indoor environments tend to feel dry. While low humidity can cause throat and nose irritation, high humidity can contribute to the spread of bacteria. Depending on your needs, consider incorporating a humidifier or dehumidifier to balance the indoor conditions inside your home. Maintaining your equipment according to the instructions is essential. Always make sure to empty the drain pans of your dehumidifier, and regularly clean the inside of your humidifier. Ensure humidity inside is between 30-50%. To discourage mould growth, make sure to dry any water-damaged or damp materials within 24-hours.
- Integrate Air Quality Concerns into Purchasing. Factoring indoor air quality into your purchasing decisions presents the biggest opportunity to make an impact on the IAQ of your home and the health of your family. Consider buying cleaning products, furnishings, building materials, and paints that are low-emitting, non-toxic, and no-VOC, as these materials have the potential to emit odors and air contaminants. When feeling unsure, ask the supplier or manufacturer to provide information on any potential air quality hazards associated with their products. While some information may not be readily available, a greater consumer demand for transparency can create change within the industry.
- Turn to Filters. If you have pets, consider replacing your air filters more often to reduce the potential effect dander has on your air quality. Consider switching to a high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) filter for your vacuum, which can trap small particulate matter instead of circulating them back into the air.
SHOULD YOU BUY AN AIR PURIFIER?
Air purifiers can be an important part of maintaining the indoor air quality
inside your home. However, it should not be the main strategy for IAQ
maintenance. Air purifiers can only remove allergens while they are floating
in the air, with many heavier contaminants such as mould, pollen, and mites,
settling faster before they can be filtered out. To follow the best practices
advised by medical experts, continue to address sources of indoor air
pollution inside your home, and supplement with an air purifier when necessary
EXTRAS
Maintaining indoor air quality can have an immediate and lasting impact on yourself and those around you. The following resources provide further information on managing indoor air quality:
- Workers Health & Safety Centre Guide to Office IAQ Maintenance
- OSH IAQ FAQs
- EPA’s Guide to Understanding HEPA Filters
- Understanding Low Versus No VOC Paints
Occupant Engagement Program: 2021 Campaign