Skip to main content
Facilitate Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Facilitate magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @Facilitate_Mag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Logo of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
    • Comment
    • People
    • Reports
    • Research
  • Features
    • Analysis
    • Features
    • Round Tables
    • Webinars
  • Outsourcing
    • Contract Finder
    • Contracts
    • FM Business Models
    • Interviews
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Opinion
    • Procurement
    • Trends
  • Know-How
    • Explainers
    • Legal Updates
    • White Papers
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Workplace Services
      • Hospitality
      • Catering
      • Cleaning
      • Front of House
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Helpdesk
      • Mailroom
      • Manned Guarding / Security
      • Pest Control
      • Washroom Services
      • Disaster Recovery
      • Specialist Services
    • Professional Performance
      • Behavioural Change
      • Continual Professional Development
      • Education
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Training
    • Workplace Performance
      • Benchmarking
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Operational Readiness
      • Procurement
      • Security
      • Workplace User Experience
      • Workplace Culture
    • Compliance
      • Health & Safety
      • Risk & Business Continuity
      • Standards
      • Statutory Compliance
    • Building Services
      • Architecture & Construction
      • Asset Management
      • Building Controls
      • Building Fabric
      • Drinking Water
      • Fire Protection
      • HVAC
      • Landscaping
      • Mechanical & Electrical
      • Building Security
      • Water, Drainage & Plumbing
    • Technology
      • Building Information Modelling
      • CAFM
      • Data & Networks
      • Document Management
      • Information Management
      • Internet of Things (IoT)
      • Software & Systems
    • Energy management
      • Energy Management Systems
      • Electricity
      • Gas
      • Solar
      • Wind
    • Sustainability
      • Environmental Quality
      • Social Value
      • Waste Management
      • Recycling
    • Workspace Design
      • Agile Working
      • Fit-Out & Refurbishment
      • Inclusive Access
      • Lighting
      • Office Interiors
      • Signage
      • Space Planning
      • Storage
      • Vehicle Management / Parking
      • Washroom
    • Sectors
      • Corporate Office
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Manufacturing
      • International
      • Retail
      • Sports & Leisure
      • Regions
  • Buyers' Guide
Quick links:
  • Home
  • Topics
News
Home
Workplace services
Sectors
Information Management
Health & Wellbeing
Topics
News
Home
Workplace services
Sectors
Information Management
Health & Wellbeing

High C02 levels in UK offices kills productivity

Open-access content Friday 7th December 2018
Co2 credit shutterstock

7 December 2018 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal

 

Worker performance declines when CO2 levels are high and temperatures are too warm or cold, according to a new study. 


The two-year research initiative was led by academics at Oxford Brookes University and LCMB Building Performance, and supported by Innovate UK - the government agency tasked with boosting innovation in the UK economy - and FM company Emcor. 


The research forms part of the Whole Life Performance Plus (WLP+) project, which brings together a consortium of leading experts in building performance, property development and facilities management.

 

Workplaces taking part in the study - including NATS and Kings College London - were tested over two years, with IoT-enabled sensors installed to monitor fluctuating CO2 levels.


During this time employees were sent numerical, proofreading and Stroop tests via email up to three times a day as part of the study.

 

A methodology was then used to calculate the impact of CO2 and temperature on perceived productivity in those workplaces.

 

With lower CO2 levels, employees' test scores improved by up to 12 per cent. And in one of the buildings tested, people worked 60 per cent faster with reduced CO2 concentrations, completing tests in a mean time of 8.2 minutes, compared with 13.3 minutes with more CO2 in the atmosphere.

                                                                                                                

Too often due to energy efficiency concerns, the opening of windows in offices is highly controlled, meaning the quality of the indoor atmosphere is heavily reliant on air conditioning. 


This means, for example, when new offices are built, they are 'sealed' and air conditioned as standard. 


Even if buildings meet ventilation standards, this doesn't mean that high CO2 levels are being effectively detected and reduced, and often lead to offices feeling stuffy - which can mistakenly be put down to high temperatures. In these instances increased energy use is expended on cooling via air conditioner systems and the unnecessary creation of additional greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. 


For example, closer monitoring of the CO2 levels during the study revealed that fan speeds could be significantly decreased - by up to 50 per cent - without adversely affecting the CO2 levels in the workspace.

 

Importantly this misconception also limits the amount of fresh air that is introduced into offices and other work spaces. 


This is especially pressing when coupled with research showing that UK office workers only spend a maximum of fifteen minutes outside in addition to their commutes. 


For example meeting rooms, which are often sealed and occupied for a prolonged period of time can reach up to 3,000ppm CO2 - impacting concentration and productivity levels. 


This becomes increasingly problematic as CO2 levels are not recorded with enough granularity by traditional building management systems to evaluate the effect on building occupants.


You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Today's top reads

 

Latest Jobs

FM Helpdesk Manager

London (Central)
£35000.00 - £45000.00 per annum
Reference
55696

Building Services Senior Coordinator - Contract Position

Sutton
Up to £45,000 OR Equivalent Rate
Reference
55695

FM Customer Services Manager

London
GBP35000 - GBP40000 per annum + flexible benefits, pension
Reference
55694
See all jobs »

 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to print

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly magazine

Subscribe
Facilitate magazine cover, June 2020
​
FOLLOW US
@Facilitate_Mag
Facilitate Magazine
Facilitate Magazine
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel: 020 7880 6200
​

IWFM

About IWFM
Become a member
Qualifications
Events

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Facilitate Magazine
Write for Facilitate Magazine

General

IWFM Jobs
Help

www.facilitatemagazine.com and Facilitate magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive, Level 5, 78 Chamber Street, London, E1 8BL