Retractable Roofs Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
Naturally ventilated spaces have been relied on to cool buildings since before the invention of mechanical units – they require no more than open roof and walls. Not only does this save significant amounts of energy, but it also contributes to the health and well-being of building occupants.
The difference between a fixed roof and one that opens is the cost of tracks and Motors. The surface area of the building remains the same, so it is not “double the cost” to open the roof! This is not a significant increase in your capital investment that will break a project budget. Meaning there is little “downside” to the upfront investment.
Sustainable building design often focuses on energy use, but the quality of the indoor environment (IAQ) and its impact on occupant health, satisfaction and performance also must be considered to be a sustainable contribution to the built environment over the long term.
Occupants’ PERCEPTIONS of the indoor environment and the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) impacts on health, in reality, cannot be separated. If people “think” a space feels better, it is perceived to BE better. This is critical for aquatic venues with traditionally poor air quality
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) affects everyone, especially the most vulnerable – children, the elderly, and people with health conditions like asthma and heart disease
Ventilation with outdoor air is required for all occupied spaces
Clean Air in Buildings Challenge 2022 for builders/operators/owners:
- Create a clean indoor air action plan
- Optimize fresh air ventilation
- Enhance air filtration and cleaning
- Conduct community engagement, communication and education.
Opening the roof allows you to:
- Turn off air handling system
- Use Natural Ventilation for cooling to save up to 10% on gas bills
- Reducing natural gas consumption improve the resilience of natural gas supply
- Reduce the transmission of airborne Diseases; disease spread in a closed environment is 18.7 times greater compared to an open-air environment (2019 Study)
- Although improvements to ventilation and air cleaning cannot on their own eliminate the risk of airborne transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the US Environmental Protection Agency (the EPA) recommends increasing ventilation with outdoor air and air filtration as important components of a larger sustainable strategy
- Improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) allows building operators to provide guests with spaces that feel healthier and safer.