Healthy Buildings

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Introduction

Healthy buildings are those designed to support the health and well-being of their occupants. A healthy building considers various factors such as air quality, lighting, acoustics, and cleanliness to create a safe and healthy environment. There are several standards for healthy buildings, including the WELL Building Standard, Fitwel, and the Living Building Challenge. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of healthy buildings, healthy building solutions provided by Harvard University, the Healthy Building 2023 program, and the importance of antimicrobial surfaces, visibility clean work environments, surface hygiene, and the risk of poor surface hygiene cleanliness, and ESG.

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1. Healthy Building Standards

The WELL Building Standard is a certification program that focuses on the health and well-being of building occupants. The standard is organized into seven categories: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind. Each category has specific requirements that buildings must meet to be certified. For example, in the air category, the standard requires buildings to monitor and control air quality, including temperature, humidity, and ventilation rates. The water category requires buildings to ensure that water is safe for drinking and other uses.

Another healthy building standard is Fitwel, which is a certification program that focuses on creating healthy buildings through design and operations. Fitwel includes seven health impact categories: location, building access, outdoor spaces, entrances, indoor environment, workspaces, and cafeterias and food retail. In each category, there are specific design and operational strategies that buildings can implement to achieve Fitwel certification.

The Living Building Challenge is a certification program that requires buildings to meet stringent sustainability and health standards. The Living Building Challenge has seven performance areas: place, water, energy, health and happiness, materials, equity, and beauty. To achieve Living Building Challenge certification, buildings must meet strict criteria in each of these areas.

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2. Benefits of a Healthy Building

There are several benefits of healthy buildings, including improved health and well-being for occupants, increased productivity, and reduced absenteeism. Here are five specific benefits of healthy buildings:

1. Improved Indoor Air Quality
   Indoor air quality can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of building occupants. Poor air quality can lead to respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues. Healthy buildings prioritize air quality by ensuring proper ventilation, filtering air pollutants, and controlling humidity levels. By improving indoor air quality, healthy buildings can help occupants breathe easier and stay healthy.
2. Increased Productivity
   Healthy buildings can improve productivity by providing a comfortable and supportive work environment. Proper lighting, temperature, and noise control can all help to create an environment that is conducive to productivity. Additionally, healthy buildings often include amenities such as fitness centers, healthy food options, and outdoor spaces that can help occupants stay energized and focused throughout the day.
3. Reduced Absenteeism
   Healthy buildings can also reduce absenteeism by providing a safe and healthy environment. When building occupants are healthy, they are less likely to miss work due to illness. Additionally, healthy buildings can help to reduce the spread of illnesses by prioritizing surface hygiene and cleanliness.
4. Increased Property Value
   Healthy buildings may have higher property values due to their certification status and the benefits they provide to occupants. Additionally, healthy buildings may have lower operating costs due to their energy-efficient systems and sustainable design.
5. Positive Brand Image
   Healthy buildings can help to create a positive brand image for companies and organizations. By prioritizing the health and well-being of occupants, companies can demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility and sustainability. This can help to attract and retain customers and employees who value these principles.

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3. Healthy Buildings Harvard

Harvard University is a leader in healthy building solutions. Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health has developed the Healthy Buildings program, which focuses on creating healthy buildings through research and education. The program aims to promote the understanding of how buildings impact human health and how building design, construction, and operations can be improved to create healthier environments.

One of the key areas of focus for the Healthy Buildings program is surface hygiene. The program has conducted research on the importance of surface hygiene and the role of antimicrobial surfaces in creating healthy buildings. Antimicrobial surfaces can help to reduce the transmission of pathogens and improve surface hygiene in buildings.

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4. Benefits of Antimicrobial Surfaces

Antimicrobial surfaces have several benefits in creating healthy buildings. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Reduced Transmission of Pathogens
   Antimicrobial surfaces can help to reduce the transmission of pathogens by inhibiting the growth and spread of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. This can help to create a healthier environment and reduce the risk of infection.
2. Improved Surface HygieneAntimicrobial surfaces can also improve surface hygiene by reducing the amount of bacteria and other microorganisms on surfaces. This can help to reduce the risk of infection and improve overall cleanliness in buildings.
3. Reduced Odours
   Antimicrobial surfaces can also help to reduce unpleasant odours caused by bacteria and other microorganisms. This can create a more pleasant and comfortable environment for building occupants.
4. Benefits of a Visibility Clean Work Environment
   A visibility clean work environment is one that is visibly clean and free of clutter. Here are some of the key benefits of a visibility clean work environment:
5. Improved Health and Safety
   A visibility clean work environment can help to improve health and safety by reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. Cluttered and dirty workspaces can create hazards and increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls.
6. Increased Productivity
   A visibility clean work environment can also increase productivity by creating a more organized and efficient workspace. A cluttered workspace can make it difficult to find necessary materials and tools, which can slow down work processes.
7. Improved Mental Health
   A visibility clean work environment can also improve mental health by reducing stress and creating a more positive and calming workspace. Clutter and mess can create a feeling of chaos and disorganization, which can be stressful and overwhelming.

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5. Importance of Surface Hygiene

Surface hygiene is essential for creating healthy buildings. Surfaces can harbour bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, which can cause infections and spread illnesses. Regular cleaning and disinfection of surfaces can help to reduce the risk of infection and improve overall cleanliness in buildings.

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6. Risk of Poor Surface Hygiene Cleanliness

Poor surface hygiene cleanliness can have several negative consequences, including the following:

1. Increased Risk of Infection
   Poor surface hygiene can increase the risk of infection by allowing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms to thrive on surfaces. This can lead to the spread of illnesses and infections.
2. Reduced Indoor Air Quality
   Poor surface hygiene can also contribute to poor indoor air quality by allowing pollutants and microorganisms to accumulate on surfaces. This can lead to respiratory problems and other health issues.
3. Negative Impact on Occupant Health and Well-being
   Poor surface hygiene can have a negative impact on occupant health and well-being by creating an unhealthy and unclean environment. This can lead to stress, discomfort, and reduced productivity.

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7. ESG and Healthy Buildings

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria are increasingly important for investors and stakeholders. ESG factors consider the impact of a company’s operations on the environment, society, and governance. Healthy buildings can align with ESG principles by prioritising sustainability, social responsibility, and good governance.

Healthy buildings can contribute to the environment by promoting energy efficiency, reducing waste and emissions, and using sustainable materials. This can help to reduce the building’s carbon footprint and mitigate the impact of climate change.

Healthy buildings can also promote social responsibility by prioritising the health and well-being of building occupants. This can include providing access to natural light, good air quality, and comfortable temperatures, as well as promoting social equity by ensuring that all occupants have equal access to healthy spaces.

Finally, healthy buildings can demonstrate good governance by prioritising transparency and accountability in building operations. This can include providing regular reports on building performance, engaging with stakeholders, and promoting ethical business practices.

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8. Healthy Building 2023

The Healthy Building 2023 initiative is a program launched by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) that aims to accelerate the adoption of healthy building practices globally. The program aims to promote the development of healthy buildings that prioritise the health and well-being of building occupants.

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9. The Healthy Building 2023 program has several key objectives, including the following:

1. Promoting Awareness and Education
   The program aims to raise awareness and educate stakeholders on the benefits of healthy buildings and the strategies and technologies that can be used to create them.
2. Driving Innovation and Collaboration
   The program aims to drive innovation and collaboration by bringing together experts from across the building industry to share knowledge and develop new solutions for creating healthy buildings.
3. Encouraging Certification and Compliance
   The program aims to encourage certification and compliance with healthy building standards, such as the WELL Building Standard and other rating systems that prioritise health and well-being.
4. Supporting Policy and Advocacy
   The program aims to support policy and advocacy efforts that promote healthy building practices and create incentives for building owners and operators to prioritise the health and well-being of occupants.

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Conclusion

Creating healthy buildings is essential for promoting the health and well-being of building occupants and reducing the risk of illness and infection. Antimicrobial surfaces and visibility clean work environments can play a key role in creating healthy buildings, while surface hygiene is essential for maintaining cleanliness and reducing the risk of infection. ESG principles and healthy building standards can also align to promote sustainability, social responsibility, and good governance. Initiatives such as Healthy Building 2023 can help to drive innovation and collaboration in the building industry and promote the adoption of healthy building practices worldwide.

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See how our Antimicrobial Surfaces can help you!

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References

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