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Poor indoor air quality leads to occupant complaints, lost productivity, and DOSH non-compliance. Biochem helps building owners and employers assess indoor air quality, identify contaminants, and meet ICOP IAQ 2010 requirements.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ) ASSESSMENT

Our Safety And Health Assessment Services

INTRODUCTION TO INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ) ASSESSMENT

An indoor air quality (IAQ) assessment is a systematic evaluation of air inside a workplace served by MVAC systems. Under DOSH’s Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 (ICOP IAQ 2010), the assessment measures physical, chemical, and biological contaminants to identify pollution sources, address occupant complaints, and ensure compliance.

INDOOR AIR QUALITY DOSH PARAMETERS AND ACCEPTABLE LIMITS

Biochem measures the full set of physical, chemical, and biological parameters defined in ICOP IAQ 2010. The table below shows the acceptable limits established by DOSH.

PHYSICAL PARAMETERS (ICOP IAQ 2010)

Parameter	Acceptable Range
Air Temperature	23 – 26 °C
Relative Humidity	40 – 70 %
Air Movement	0.15 – 0.50 m/s

INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANTS — ACCEPTABLE LIMITS (ICOP IAQ 2010)

Contaminant	ppm	mg/m³	cfu/m³
Carbon Monoxide (CO)	10	–	–
Formaldehyde (HCHO)	0.1	–	–
Ozone (O₃)	0.05	–	–
Respirable Particulates (PM10)	–	0.15	–
Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC)	3	–	–
Total Bacterial Count	–	–	500
Total Fungal Count	–	–	1000
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) – Ceiling Limit	1000	–	–

Chemical contaminant limits are eight-hour time-weighted average concentrations. The CO₂ figure is a ceiling limit that must not be exceeded at any time.

OBJECTIVES OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT

The primary purpose of an IAQ assessment is to safeguard occupant health while maintaining a comfortable, productive indoor environment. Key objectives include:

Identify Contaminants & Investigate: Detect physical, chemical, and biological pollutants while investigating occupant health complaints.
Evaluate Ventilation (MVAC): Assess the performance, air change rate, and fresh air supply of your HVAC system.
Assess Compliance: Compare air quality results against ICOP IAQ 2010 standards.
Recommend Solutions: Provide actionable steps like ventilation upgrades or source removal to restore safe air quality.

WHEN IS AN INDOOR AIR QUALITY DOSH ASSESSMENT REQUIRED

Under ICOP IAQ 2010, an IAQ assessment is required when specific conditions are met. Common triggers include:

Occupant Complaints: To investigate health symptoms reported through a formal complaint procedure.
Post-Renovation: Before reoccupying a space after major renovations that affect the air conditioning.
System Upgrades: To verify air quality after installing or significantly modifying the ventilation (MVAC) system.
Routine Monitoring: Scheduled periodically to maintain OSH compliance and demonstrate due diligence.
DOSH Directives: Fulfill formal requirements following an official audit or escalated complaint.

OUR INDOOR AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Complaint Review & Scoping: Review occupant complaints, building layouts, and ventilation (MVAC) systems to confirm the assessment scope with the client.
Walkthrough Inspection: Visually inspect ducts, cooling units, and potential contamination sources (such as water damage) to identify immediate issues.
Sampling Strategy: Develop a sampling plan based on building size and ICOP IAQ 2010 guidelines (e.g., minimum 1 point per 500 m²).
Data Collection: Measure physical parameters and air contaminants (like CO₂, VOCs, and fungi) using calibrated instruments and approved methods.
Data Analysis: Compare findings against ICOP IAQ 2010 limits to pinpoint exceedances and root causes, such as poor ventilation or chemical off-gassing.
Report & Recommendations: Deliver a comprehensive report detailing the results, system evaluation, and prioritized corrective actions.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE IAQ ASSESSMENT REPORT

Description of methods. Walkthrough findings, sampling strategy, instruments used, and analytical methods.
Identified sources of indoor air problems. Pollutant sources such as building materials, furnishings, cleaning products, or ventilation deficiencies.
Measurement results. Tabulated data for each contaminant and physical parameter, compared against ICOP IAQ 2010 acceptable limits.
Ventilation system condition. Evaluation of air change rate, fresh air supply, and MVAC performance.
Health complaints and symptoms. Documented occupant complaints and the relationship to measured air quality.
Conclusion. Overall compliance status and significant findings.
Recommendations for improvement. Specific corrective actions, such as ventilation upgrades, source removal, housekeeping changes, or follow-up monitoring.

INDUSTRIES BENEFITING FROM IAQ ASSESSMENT

Offices & Commercial Spaces: Corporate workspaces and headquarters with centralized AC (MVAC).
Industrial Facilities: Production floors, control rooms, and attached offices (especially in Penang, Johor, and Selangor hubs).
Healthcare & Labs: Administrative areas (excluding rooms using hazardous chemicals, per ICOP IAQ 2010).
Education: High-density schools, universities, and training centers.
Retail & Public Spaces: Retail & Public Spaces Malls, hotels, banks, and government buildings.
Tech & Semiconductor Facilities: Office and meeting spaces adjacent to controlled cleanrooms.

WHY CHOOSE BIOCHEM FOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY DOSH ASSESSMENT

Trusted since 1977: Over 40 years of experience guiding Malaysian businesses through OSH regulations.
Accredited Lab: ISO/IEC 17025 certified for globally accepted test data.
Certified Experts: Staffed by DOSH-registered hygiene technicians, and noise/CHRA assessors. [Note: Confirm IAQ assessor registration with client]
Fast Response: Branches in Penang, Johor, and Selangor reduce delays.
Recognized Methods: Strict adherence to NIOSH and ASHRAE sampling protocols.
Actionable Solutions: We provide both accurate data and practical advice to help you meet ICOP IAQ 2010 limits.