Reentry Solutions for a Healthy Building
Making Your Buildings Healthy to Reoccupy
The hopeful news is that COVID-19 infection rates are dropping, and vaccination rates are rising. Businesses are reopening and schools are reconvening which means environmental professionals like you will be called on to help assure that buildings being reoccupied are healthy buildings. SGS provides the comprehensive monitoring services to track all aspects of a building to have a healthy reopening and to stay open.
The IH Way
Industrial hygienists follow a step-by-step process for assessment of exposures which consists of recognize and characterize the hazard; determine exposure paths; evaluate assessment; control, design, implement and verify; monitor control effectiveness; and reevaluate if any changes to building systems or design occur. (Bullock and Ignacio, 2006, “A Strategy for Assessing and Managing Occupational Exposures”)
Recognize and Characterize the Hazard
For the COVID-19 pandemic the SARS-CoV-2 virus is the hazard with zero acceptable exposure levels and targets.
Determine Exposure Paths and Evaluate Exposure Assessment
The three primary routes of SARS-CoV-2 disease transmission are:
Person-to-Person
Interaction in reoccupied buildings must be closely monitored including personal interactions, social distancing, occupancy criteria, movement patterns and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Aerosolization
As potential exists for germs to be spread through the air and ventilation systems, risks should be minimized including ventilation systems (peak operation), air flow patterns, filtration (local and mechanical), and Indoor Air Quality (Ideal IAQ) solutions.
FOMITE
Infectious particles settle on surfaces that must be cleaned and disinfected with attention to accumulation points, and high touch areas.
CONTROL, DESIGN, IMPLEMENT, VERIFY AND MONITOR EFFECTIVENESS WITH
SGS HEALTHY BUILDINGS RE-OCCUPANCY SERVICES
SGS laboratory professionals have the skills, experience and innovative tools to recognize and evaluate occupational hazards and, with industrial hygienists and environmental professionals like you, plan and implement control of the hazards. You’ll find the following solutions provide what you need to assure compliance with guidelines and transition back to normal building operations.
Person-to-Person Solutions
SGS SOCIAL SENSE
This unique IoT social distancing and contact tracing program provides the digital solution to crowding in building spaces.
Social Distancing
Reducing physical contact and close interactions is key to limiting exposure to infection. IH professionals refer to CDC Advisory Implementation guidelines and can seek relevant training as well as monitoring that social distance procedures are being followed. The result is assurance that these key factors in the spread of COVID-19 are observed, recorded, and controlled, with a goal of maintaining a healthy building.
Tools
- CDC Advisory
- Implementation
- Training
- Monitoring
SGS PPE PROGRAM
PPE is any item designed to be worn or held by an individual for protection against one or more safety hazards. Ensure your products comply with regulations.
Personal Protective Equipment
If activity requires, occupants should wear certified masks and be trained for fit, usage, removal and maintenance. Properly fitting masks can reduce airborne aerosols, lowering their exposure to airborne risks as well as emission of larger droplets reducing fomite transmission. When done correctly this creates a significant reduction.
Tools
- ASTM mask standard
- Fit testing
- Mask Monitoring Program
- Training
Aerosolization Solutions
MICROBIOLOGY
With service offerings that include fungal, and bacterial analyses, we provide a comprehensive solution to your microbiological requirements.
Air Treatment Efficacy Validation
When you need to establish that your chosen solution is effective, document its efficacy. Validate any treatment systems for efficacy and safety, such as O3, H2O2, and more.
Tools
- Bacteriology studies
- Lab-based studies
- Library information
- veriDART validation of ionization or aerosols – conglomerate test
- Particulate Materials Measurement Instrument
- Ionization Measurement Instrument
COVID-19 RECOVERY TESTING SERVICES
Portable and continuous area instruments for IAQ, SARS-CoV-2 sampling and analysis.
SARS-CoV-2 in air
After engineering solutions have been applied, studies should be conducted for validation to establish confidence in the chosen solution.
Tools
- Lab-based studies including ATP and RT-qPCR
- Library information
IAQ SERVICES
Services for IAQ analysis and monitoring solutions including our LEED Testing Kits and IH Equipment Rental.
Indoor air quality testing
Good indoor air quality improves employees’ personal well-being and health and make for more productive workplaces.
Tools
- LEED testing
- VOCS, mold, asbestos testing
- Continuous monitoring
SMART SENSE
Monitors volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon monoxide, temperature, pressure, humidity and other contaminants from anywhere in the world.
Continuous air monitoring
Monitoring air continuously allows immediate notification if contaminants and other factors are out of normal range providing an important safety measure in buildings and facilities.
Tools
- Continuous monitoring for dilution
- Continuous monitoring for aerosols
Fomite Solutions
SGS CLEANING & DISINFECTION PROGRAM
Assess the effectiveness of your cleaning and disinfection programs and the extent and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces.
Cleaning and Disinfection
Ongoing assurance that surfaces remain virus-free are necessary to maintain healthy buildings.
Tools
- Disinfection monitoring
- Post-cleaning verification tools
COVID-19 RECOVERY TESTING SERVICES
Surface cleanliness testing and passive or active sampling of disinfectants.
SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces
Studies should be conducted for validation after cleaning regimen to establish confidence in solution chosen.
Tools
- Lab-based studies including ATP and RT-qPCR
- Library information
COVID-19 RECOVERY TESTING SERVICES
Studies are conducted for dispersal and validation after engineering solutions, filtration, and other solutions are applied.
SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater
Proactive, early-warning testing for SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater detects community outbreak before individuals become symptomatic or remain asymptomatic.
Tools
- Tracing potential sources
- Carrier isolation
- Laboratory analysis
Contact Us
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