Industry Predictions for the Next 12 Months
Despite the Governments promising a 4-stage roadmap, we still have an uncertain year ahead of us.
Anticipated Trends in the Industry Over the Next 12 Months
Despite the Governments promising a 4-stage roadmap, we still have an uncertain year ahead of us. At System Hygienics clean air is our business and, more than ever, we are being asked to improve the air quality in commercial buildings. Now things are starting to look up after a year of COVID-19 lockdowns, we predict what is likely to happen over the next few months.
A stronger focus on health and safety
As lockdown starts to lift and people start returning to some kind of normality, health, safety and the wellbeing of those entering commercial buildings will be more important than ever and we have only got COVID-19 to thank.
Many employers will be preparing for their staff to return to the office after working from home for much of the last year. With up to 30% of new or refurbished offices connected to Sick Building Syndrome, we are predicting a rise in enquiries for ductwork cleaning, testing and remedial works to help improve indoor air quality and keep visitors/occupants safe.
It is essential that offices and workplaces are safe for returning employees and it is, in fact, within industry regulations that ventilation systems must be compliant prior to the building becoming occupied.
At System Hygienics, we understand the importance of compliance, and we are proud to be the first in our industry to introduce our new Complete Ventilation Compliance (CVC) package. This service ensures building owners and managers meet responsibilities for keeping buildings compliant, whilst maintaining the validity of insurance, and in turn are taking the right steps to make sure their colleagues and visitors are safe.
Increased demand for fully accredited companies
For building managers and owners, the assurance that a thorough job is being done is more important than ever and we are expecting that those hiring ventilation, maintenance and hygiene companies will be looking for formal accreditations of the company who are carrying out the work.
Certain accreditations are becoming essential insurance requirements; for instance BESA’s Vent Hygiene Elite (VHE) scheme, which is an important stamp of assurance for clients and insurers that enables them to select firms that are fully compliant in their operations. When choosing a company to undertake grease extract cleaning, an approved BESA VHE member like System Hygienics is a must.
Fire safety compliance
Following the devastating events of the Grenfell Tower in 2017 and the subsequent Hackitt Report, an independent review of building regulations and fire safety, many recommendations have been made for changes to the regulatory system for building and fire safety. Rightly, since this report was published, fire safety has been at the forefront of the minds of building owners and managers and we expect this will become an even larger consideration as time goes on., not only for the safety of occupants, but to ensure those in charge are legally compliant and insurance is valid.
With HVAC systems, the most important defense against fire spreading is fire dampers. British Standard 9999:2017 clearly states that all fire dampers should be maintained and tested by an expert at regular intervals, which should not exceed a period of 12 months. Failure to conduct regular fire damper testing, and proper maintenance renders those in charge vulnerable to legal action over non-compliance and more importantly could cause harm to those in the building if a fire was to break out.
Get in touch
At System Hygienics we offer a total solution to all of your ventilation hygiene and maintenance needs, including ventilation cleaning, riser cleaning and fire damper testing. To discuss what we can do for you, get in touch at info@systemhygienics.co.uk or call 01323481170.
