Sick building syndrome
Sick building syndrome investigation
Sick building syndrome describes a cluster of non-specific complaints — headaches, fatigue, eye and throat irritation — that correlate with occupancy of a particular building. Monitoring identifies the environmental factors that warrant further investigation; it does not diagnose medical conditions.
Common contributors
Environmental factors typically reviewed
No single cause explains SBS. The investigation pattern is to measure each likely contributor against established references and identify the combination that aligns with the complaint pattern.
CO₂
Persistently elevated CO₂ indicates undersupplied outdoor air.
TVOC / HCHO
Material and cleaning emissions linked to irritation.
PM2.5
Combustion, traffic ingress and indoor activity.
T / RH
Temperature and humidity outside comfort ranges.
Symptom-to-zone mapping
Occupant reports are mapped against zone, shift, weather and HVAC mode before sensors are deployed.
Calibrated continuous monitoring
Multi-parameter sensors across affected and control zones for a representative period.
Ventilation review
AHU strategy, fresh-air rates and exhaust performance compared against design intent.
Findings and next steps
Clear written report, benchmark comparison and prioritised actions that support — but do not replace — medical or HR advice.
When to investigate
Triggers for an SBS-style investigation
Clusters of complaints concentrated in one part of a building, symptoms that ease at weekends or away from the site, post-refurbishment reports, and persistent complaints that have not been resolved by reactive checks. Investigations help separate environmental factors from unrelated medical issues.
Combine with indoor air investigations, poor indoor air quality review and continuous air quality monitoring.
Benchmarks
Reference frameworks used
| Reference | Parameter | Application |
|---|---|---|
| BS EN 16798-1 Cat II | CO₂ < ~800 ppm above outdoor | Office ventilation target |
| WHO IAQ Guidelines | PM2.5, NO₂, HCHO | Health benchmarking |
| CIBSE Guide A | 21–23 °C / 40–60 % RH | Comfort envelope |
| WELL v2 Air | TVOC < 500 µg/m³ | Occupant-facing target |
| HSE INDG244 | Workplace temperature | Statutory comfort guidance |
Investigate building-related complaints
Calibrated monitoring and ventilation review to identify the environmental factors at play.
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Measurement