Words: Emily Newton

Indoor air quality (IAQ) and methods to improve it have become critical topics among in-house cleaning teams and facility managers. These professionals are increasingly exploring a range of innovative technologies to enhance air quality, often considering contractors to implement these solutions. Below are three promising technologies that can help Australian facility managers create cleaner, healthier air for all occupants.

1. Digital twins

Effective IAQ management requires identifying the key factors impacting air quality. Digital twins, or virtual replicas of physical systems that simulate real-world conditions, offer a controlled environment for facility managers to test potential solutions before implementing them in the actual building.

Australia’s construction sector has already adopted digital twins to gain insights into entire structures and assess specific project suitability. Applying digital twins to IAQ management allows facility managers to tailor solutions to the unique needs of Australian buildings, accounting for variables like climate, building age and occupancy patterns.

A successful example of digital twins improving IAQ can be seen in the European Union (EU), where a project launched in 2022 is using this technology to optimise indoor air quality. The initiative involves partners across nine European nations and will continue until 2026, helping researchers understand the effects of building characteristics, occupant density and local environments on IAQ.

Facility managers in Australia can draw on similar global insights from digital twin use cases, such as those in construction, manufacturing and healthcare, to confidently apply this high-tech tool to enhance IAQ.

2. Advanced smart sensors

Australian facility managers increasingly rely on smart sensors to provide real-time data on humidity, temperature, pollutant levels and other IAQ factors. Some advanced sensors can even differentiate between types of pollutants, such as smoke or pollen, helping managers respond appropriately.

Monitoring air quality is especially valuable in environments like schools, hospitals and office buildings where occupant health and comfort are essential. Research suggests that improved IAQ can significantly boost productivity and workplace satisfaction and recent Australian data backs this, showing that only about a third of employees consider their workplace air quality to be “very clean.”

Some sensors also support automated climate control and lighting adjustments based on occupancy, making them cost-effective. By understanding real-time conditions, facility managers can establish internal IAQ standards and observe trends over time as improvements are made.

3. Subscription-based IAQ models

The subscription-as-a-service model has become popular overseas, helping organisations access new technologies without upfront costs. Companies now offer indoor-air-quality-as-a-service (IAQaaS) packages that combine science and technology to measure current IAQ, set benchmarks and provide 24/7 monitoring.

These packages offer affordable options to spread costs over time, with clients receiving detailed IAQ reports annually. This approach helps companies maintain healthier environments without needing extensive capital investment and enables data-driven resource allocation. For example, Clean Energy Finance Corporation and similar Australian organisations may consider IAQaaS packages in ongoing energy-efficiency and air quality initiatives.

Facility managers exploring subscription-based IAQ options should define goals, budgets and building use specifics before engaging with providers to ensure tailored, effective solutions.

Supporting sustainable IAQ standards in Australia

IAQ is a priority for facility management teams, corporate leaders and cleaning professionals across Australia. As more buildings aim to meet high IAQ standards, these technologies provide decision-makers with the tools and data to make well-informed lasting improvements.

About the author:

Emily Newton is an industrial journalist. As Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized, she regularly covers stories in construction and facilities management.

A version of this article appeared on CMM Online.

Photo by Ivan Samkov on Pexels.