Vindus Fans can also help in combating common air-related health and safety issues.
Sweating slab syndrome (SSS) is a phenomenon that occurs when moisture intermittently develops on the surface of an interior concrete slab. It can increase the slipperiness of the floor and increase safety risk for workers. Dew point condensation is a common cause of this moisture accumulation. This happens when warm, humid air enters the structure through open doorways, windows, and vents. As that warm air diffuses throughout the structure, it will condense on any surface that is at or below dew point temperature—which is often the floor surface.
Many large facilities provide little air movement and may exhaust interior air through roof vents, creating negative pressure in the building. Negative pressure within a structure quickly allows exterior air and other conditions to enter the building when loading dock doors are open.
Sick building syndrome (SBS) refers to situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building.
There are a variety of causes for SBS, primarily related to stagnant or dead air. These include poor building design, maintenance, and/or operation of the structure’s ventilation system. The ventilation system in particular is often found to be at the heart of the problem and can itself be a source of irritants. In addition, a poor ventilation system can result in a buildup of pollutants within the building, in which case the indoor environment can often have air quality much lower than the outdoor air. Humidity may also be a factor. While high relative humidity may contribute to biological pollutant problems, an unusually low level may worsen the effects of mucosal irritants and may even prove irritating itself.