ASHRAE 62.1 Defines:
Acceptable Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is defined as air in which there are no known contaminants at harmful concentrations as determined by Cognizant Authorities and with which a substantial majority (80% or more) of the people exposed do not express dissatisfaction.
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS (WHO) says:
The World Health Organization IAQ standards and guidelines outline a number of potentially hazardous organic and non-organic substances that can have adverse health effects in homes in large quantities or after long periods of exposure.
Good IAQ leads to be satisfied people in all the indoor areas.
Good IAQ improves the level of productivity.
Poor IAQ is one of the major environmental health hazards.
As an average, we spend more than 80% of our time indoor spaces such as homes/apartments, offices, gyms, mosques, restaurants, superstores, malls, etc. Indoor air pollutants are 2 – 5 times higher than outside air.
AIR POLLUTION CAN AFFECT BRAIN DEVELOPMENT & COGNITIVE FUNCTION (UNICEF – Dec. 2017)
Cognitive ability may be defined as a “mental capability that … involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly and learn from experience”.
SYMPTOMS & HEALTH EFFECTS DUE TO LOW INDOOR AIR QUALITY:
Researchers confirm that more than 30% of all commercial buildings have significant IAQ issues – WHO.
v Irritation of eyes, nose, and throat
v Headaches
v Dizziness
v Fatigue
v Colds or other viral infections
Air pollution from both outdoor and indoor sources represents the single largest environmental risk to health globally.
EPA – USA – Another approach to lowering the concentrations of indoor air pollutants in your home is to increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors. Most home heating and cooling systems, including forced air heating / cooling systems, do not mechanically bring fresh air into the house.
GASEOUS COMPOSITION:
Carbon Dioxide / Carbon Monoxide
Measure the correctness of Ventilation Or Incorrect Ventilation.
Vehicle Exhaust.
Formaldehyde
Very low Volatile Organic Compounds.
Used in pressed wood products, adhesives, etc.
MAJOR OUTDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS Particulate matter.
Ozone Nitrogen oxides
Carbon monoxide Sulfur dioxide.
Particles with a diameter less than 10 micrometers are named PM10;
Particles with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers are called PM2.5 (or fine particulates) and
Particles with a diameter less than 0.1 micrometers are called PM0.1 (or ultrafine particulates).
HOW TO IMPROVE THE AIR QUALITY INDEX RATING:
This would be possible to improve the Air Quality index for major cities such as Karachi, Lahore & Islamabad in order to reduce solid waste burning, industrial emissions, the fining of over-polluting factories, home businesses or open burning.
Other initiatives would include the eventual removal of ancient vehicles off the road and a move over to cleaner fuel sources like Hybrid or Electric Cars.
Unexplained COVID-19 “community spread” incidents
Cast doubt on claimed Insignificance of airborne
transmission, Guangzhou, Restaurant.10 of 21 diners at three tables.
Infected by 1 person. Distance of up to 5m (16 feet).
Particulate Matter in Indoor Air
While there is no doubt that the Coronavirus SARS 2, which originates the disease COVID-19, is transmitted mainly through the particles exhaled by infected patients, it is important to start with a basic explanation of how the particulate matter, usually designated by the acronym PM, is classified.
ASHRAE’s statement on the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the air is sufficiently likely that airborne exposure to the virus should be controlled. Changes to building operations, including the operation of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems, can reduce airborne exposures.
Indoor spaces with human occupancy must be heavily ventilated due to the COVID situation, exclusively with fresh air, to decrease virus concentrations, in the event of possible contamination by suspended particles, and, thus, reduce the risk of infection.
ASHRAE Standard 62.1 – 2013 contains two alternative procedures, the widely uses – Ventilation Rate Procedure and second is Indoor Air Quality Procedures (IAQP).
A. The VRP describes ventilation rates for the specific building.
B. On the other way, IAQP is a performance-based design approach to keeping contaminants of concern (COCs) concentration.
AIR CHANGE:
Here is a four-step process on how to calculate the room CFM:
A. Step One – Use the above Air Changes per Hour Table to identify the required air changes needed for the use of the room. Let’s say it’s a conference room requiring 10 air changes per hour.
B. Step Two – Calculate the volume of the room (L’ x W’ x H’).
C. Step Three – Multiply the volume of the room by the required room air changes.
D. Step Four – Divide the answer by 60 minutes per Hour to find the required room CFM.
AIR FILTRATION:
TYPE OF FILTERS COMMONLY USE – PRE-FILTERS + BAG FILTERS & HEPA / ULPA FILTERS (Robust)
EN 779: 2012 is the only one and now using ISO 16890 is the new way to evaluate filters.
HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air and is a filtration rating that captures microbes, dust, and particulates down to 0.3 Micron.
ISO 16890 – 1: 2016 establishes an efficiency classification system of air filters for general ventilation based upon particulate matter (PM). It also provides an overview of the test procedures and specifies general requirements for assessing and marking the filters, as well as for documenting the test results.
MERV Rating is known as Minimum Efficiency Rate Value and A MERV rating chart shows a numerical value. The range is from 1 (lowest efficiency) to 20 (highest efficiency).
Outdoor Air Intakes. Ventilation system outdoor air intakes shall be designed properly.
The temperature of the room should be designed. Normally design is 24 C.
Humidity should be between 40% to 60%.
STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE IAQ are UGVI and Bipolar Ionization.
Designing a building’s HVAC system requires designers to meet or exceed minimum outdoor air requirements, maximize energy savings, and meet all state and local codes.
CONCLUSIONS:
Air pollution is usually worst in urban centers. As more and more of the world urbanizes, and without adequate protection and pollution reduction measures, children, old and less immune people will be at risk in the years to come.
In case, the risk of outdoor air pollutions/contaminants are not high can incentivize natural ventilation and passive measures for rural areas, low budget buildings, or industrial applications especially for developing countries.
Parks, trees, and green areas within urban centers can improve local air quality as well as offer a refuge for children to play.
Better waste management can reduce the amount of pollution caused by waste that is burned within communities.
Proper disposal and recycling of paper, plastics, metals, and organic materials can help prevent harmful chemicals from being burned and reaching children’s lungs.
Try to maintain a low level of Carbon Dioxide less. Use sensors to increase ventilation.
Reducing Outdoor activities when Air Quality Index and pollution levels are unhealthy, protecting indoor spaces by closing windows during outdoor air pollution episodes, and using one of the above-defined strategies.
Since most of the countries implemented the combat measures against Contact and Droplets modes the above complementary measures should be put in place.
Avoid face-to-face meetings in case of a chance of spread out of virus. Use mas and keep a safe distance for any public place.
Better IAQ results, better healthy life and increase the productivity of the nation.n

Pakistan’s every major city has been witnessing fire incidents pretty frequently and every time all questions concentrate on the causes of the fire which most of the time remain mute. A Fire Safety expert at IMS, Hassan Murtaza believes fires can safely be averted if proper fire safety systems are employed at all levels.
When asked what are the major reasons for fire incidents which have been occurring quite frequently in our cities Hassan Murtaza, the chief of IMS Fire Safety and Security Department says there are many reasons for fires and short-circuit is only one of them and the reason behind short-circuit is related to loose connections and also the absence of a proper electrical system design in the buildings. Awareness is also a big issue.
Most of the time the wiring does not support high amperes when we draw excessive load which leads us to fire incidents. Then how to prevent such incidents or handle them is an area in which the people are not aware of.
One fire extinguisher is far better than a fire tender away as it requires time to reach you. The fire extinguisher can handle fire instantly. We realize the situation when the fire engulfs you. So our company is focusing on how to prevent incidents that happen anywhere. We are striving to create awareness in the people that if you cannot afford an extensive system then go on prevention so that you can cover the fire timely.
Responsibility of the authorities
It is the responsibility of our authorities that they should issue permission for the buildings only if they ensure public safety. Fire is not only an incident but causes loss of lives. The people who work in buildings and malls do not know that their lives are at high risk. How will they escape if any fire broke out in their buildings which do not ensure such safety guards? The people running huge businesses and malls do not have plans to tackle fire incidents. If you focus on business only and overlook safety then such incidents will only increase. In new buildings, tenants alter the system according to their requirements and thus the safety is compromised in many cases. We have to think about if we have any fresh air movement where we are sitting, do we have any exhaust and emergency exit in the building. If we have any backup generators for the elevators. If the people start thinking are they safe in case of any incidents in the building or any setup they are in. This awareness means a lot and people control such things through joint community efforts.
What minimum thing can one do to prevent or handle any fire?
It depends on what value do your assets have and also it depends on the intensity of the fire. There are many systems, some are automatic and some are manual. All are available in the market. If you cannot afford an automatic system then you must have such a manual system that can control the fire to some extent till the fire tenders reach you. Therefore, a fire extinguisher is a must in the building. This is like water and air for life. And if you believe you have to save your assets too then you must install a fire fighting system. There are two levels of the Fire Fighting System. One is imported and certified and if you cannot afford it you can go on a conventional system whose cost is lower. Then make your people be aware of it. Even if you cannot afford any one of them, you can decide on the lower and simpler system such as fireballs. This system can control the fire which is initiated in the building.
IMS is a ‘No Limit’ contracting company having complete fire safety solutions. We are registered with Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) as a CA company.
Globally, we represent Honeywell, Tyco, Lifeco. We have complete setups of fire systems, alarm systems, detection, suppression and foam systems, etc. We possess in-house technical expertise.
The company has three offices in Pakistan, one in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad besides an international office in Dubai. Our experts are certified by our principles. We also have a wide range of projects with oil companies, automobile companies, textile, and others. We are also involved in the provision of service and maintenance of safety systems. n

The Alsons Group has obtained regulatory approval for its HFNO/CPAP Device ‘AlnnoVentura’ from the Ministry of Health, the Republic of Indonesia, the company has announced.
Alsons, it says is planning to export the first batch of Alnno Ventura devices as it continues to play its part in exporting Made In Pakistan medical devices across the world. It adds on its social media outlet: What a great way to end the year and definitely a good start to 2022 for The Alsons Group!
Earlier, Alsons has exported Alnno Ventura to four countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) such as Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Maldives.
The devices have been gifted by the government of Pakistan to help fight COVID19 in neighboring countries.
Alsons, one of Pakistan’s premier precision engineering company developed this respiratory device that the company claims is the first locally manufactured device, approved for medical use by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
The company that has over 60 years of manufacturing experience and catering to the local and global aerospace, automotive, oil/gas, power, lighting, and agricultural sectors is also working on an indigenous design and development of a ventilator and is said to be at the final stage of approval.
This product named the Alnno-Ventura is a life-saving ‘High Flow Nasal Oxygen’ (HFNO) that can be used as a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device. The HFNO device is very important for hospitals to treat Covid-19 patients with lung infections and also other serious respiratory diseases.
The Alnno-Ventura follows the designs and specifications of the UCL Ventura, a UK-qualified sophisticated HFNO/CPAP device, and is manufactured under license and manufacturing instructions from the UCL Institute of Healthcare Engineering.
The United Kingdom through Karandaaz’s Risk Participation Facility with Meezan Bank has financed the development and production of the device.
Karandaaz, funded by the United Kingdom’s Office of Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), has established a USD 50 million financing program with Meezan Bank, which enables vendors and distributors of participating corporates and other eligible SMEs access to finance.
One of the major features of the device is that it saves oxygen up to 60 percent. UCL Institute of Healthcare Engineering modified its original design along with Mercedes, Basit Qureshi, a Director at Alsons says.n

The good part of the in-camera briefing to members of the Balochistan Assembly on the current status of Reko Diq is that at least the public representatives of the province now know what is happening on the project that contains a wealth of the people of the province.
However, had the briefing been open to all, the federal government would have gotten some kind of confidence of the people of Balochistan which has long been ungovernable for the issues relating to the ownership of the resources of the province.
The reports that appeared so far give a mixed signal and the chief minister attempts to create a perception that Balochistan would not be deprived this time and will get its due share. But his contention that since the federal government has lost the case in the international arbitration, much should not be expected is also not justifiable. Because it was not Balochistan who contributed to the failure of the country to pursue and win the case against Tethyan Copper Company; it was sure Islamabad which brought the project to its present status.
Now the reports say that one of the partners of the consortium (Barrick Gold of Canada) may agree to come back but on what terms is yet to be crystal clear.
It is reported that Pakistan expects the company to write off a US$3 billion penalty and also pay an equal amount to its other partner (Antofagasta Minerals of Chile). If it is so then the Pakistani government is likely to accept the terms of the company and what share comes into the kitty of Balochistan is yet to be seen.
Balochistan Chief Minister Qudoos Bienjo says the Balochistan government was trying to get at least 25pc share in the profits.
Simultaneously, Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced that the federal government would bear the financial burden for the development of the Reko Diq mining project in Balochistan.
In a tweet, the prime minister said the decision to bear the financial responsibility of the project on behalf of the Balochistan government was taken in line with the Centre’s vision for the uplift of smaller provinces.
He said the step would help usher in an era of prosperity for the people and the province.
The chief executives of the province and the federal government should be taken with a positive spirit but it must appear in practical steps not only on this project but on all resources of Balochistan.
Thus, the agreement with any new party on Reko Diq should be open for the people of the province, and also it must demonstrate their will. – ER Report

Frameworks for using low-temperature Solar oriented thermal energy incorporate means for heat assortment; for the most part heat storage, the either present moment or inter-seasonal; and appropriation inside a design or a region warming organization. At times a solitary component can accomplish more than one of these things (for example a few sorts of solar collectors additionally store heat). A few frameworks are inactive, others are dynamic (requiring other outer energy to work). Unglazed Solar based collectors are fundamentally used to pre-heat make-up ventilation air in business, modern and institutional structures with a high ventilation load. They transform incorporating dividers or segments of dividers into minimal expense, elite execution, unglazed solar-powered collectors. Additionally called, “unfolded sunlight powered chargers” or “Solar oriented divider”, they utilize a painted punctured metal solar-based hotness safeguard that likewise fills in as the outside divider surface of the structure. Hotness move to the air happens on the outer layer of the safeguard, through the metal safeguard and behind the safeguard. Solar-powered cycle heating frameworks are intended to give enormous amounts of high temp water or space warming for non-residential structures. Dissipation lakes are shallow lakes that concentrate broken down solids through vanishing. The utilization of dissipation lakes to get salt from ocean water is probably the most established use of solar-powered energy. Current uses incorporate concentrating saltwater arrangements utilized in drain mining and eliminating broken down solids from squander streams. During the day the sun has various positions. For low fixation frameworks (and low temperatures) following can be kept away from (or restricted to a couple of positions each year) if non-imaging optics are utilized. For higher fixations, be that as it may, assuming the mirrors or focal points don’t move, the focal point of the mirrors or focal points changes. Heat in a solar-oriented warm framework is directed by five essential standards: heat gain; heat move; heat storage; heat transport; and hotness protection. Here, heat is the proportion of the measure of thermal power an item contains and is dictated by the temperature, mass, and explicit hotness of the article. Solar-based thermal energy stations use heat exchangers that are intended for consistent working conditions, to give heat trade. Heat is moved either by conduction or convection. At the point when water is warmed, active energy is moved by conduction to water atoms all through the medium. These atoms spread their nuclear power by conduction and consume more space than the virus sluggish particles above them. Thermal storage empowers solar-oriented warm plants to create power during hours without daylight. Heat is moved to a warm storage medium in a protected supply during hours with daylight and is removed for power age during hours lacking daylight. Warm capacity mediums will be talked about in a thermal storage segment. Heat is moved to a warm storage medium in a protected repository during the day, and removed for power age around evening time. Warm capacity media incorporate compressed steam, concrete, an assortment of stage change materials, and liquid salts like calcium, sodium, and potassium nitrate. This Solar force framework can create power in an overcast climate or around evening time utilizing the hotness in the tank of warm salt. The tanks are protected, ready to store heat for seven days. Tanks that power a 100-megawatt turbine for four hours would be around 9 m (30 ft) tall and 24 m (80 ft) in measurement. The gross transformation efficiencies (considering that the solar-based dishes or box involve just a small amount of the complete space of the force plant) are dictated by net creating limit over the solar oriented energy that falls on the all-out space of the solar-powered plant. The 500-megawatt (MW) SCE/SES plant would remove around 2.75% of the radiation (1 kW/m²; see Solar force for a conversation) that falls on its 4,500 sections of land (18.2 km²). Solar powered stills can be utilized to make savoring water regions where clean water isn’t normal. Solar-powered refining is important in these circumstances to furnish individuals with cleaned water. Solar-powered energy warms up the water in the still. The water then, at that point, dissipates and gathers on the lower part of the covering glass. n