Survey 

Survey for Building Managers

Knowledge of Indoor Air Issues and Improvement Strategies

As a first step in fulfilling its mandate, the CCIAQ determined that it was imperative to gain an appreciation of the level of knowledge of indoor air issues and improvement strategies currently held by building professionals. The Committee therefore commissioned a survey that would at once establish a baseline measure of knowledge as well as identify gaps in information.

The nationwide survey consisted of 150 interviews with building and property managers, and facility managers, conducted by telephone between October 15 and December 3, 2010. The survey was designed by the CCIAQ with technical support from the National Research Council of Canada. The database of interviewees was provided by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). Telephone interviews were conducted by Environics Research Group, an independent research agency.

The results of the 2010 research reveal that building professionals are knowledgeable about traditional indoor air quality issues and strategies and the potential harm to human health. Most provide guidance to and field concerns from tenants about indoor air quality, which likely contributes to their sensitivity to the issue. There is also widespread confidence in the quality of the indoor air in their buildings, although many seem to recognize some room for improvement. Yet there is little sense of urgency for such improvement; most say they have the ability to reduce the concentration of specific pollutants, and few know of design features missing from their buildings that could make a difference.

View the full report.