Every second is crucial in fire and command centres. Decisions play a vital role, and in such critical, high-stress environments, there is a fine line between a good decision and a fatal one. Within milliseconds, things can turn for better or worse. To improve and maximise human performance, companies spend millions on ergonomic gear, equipment, and backup generators.
But there is one factor that 24/7 emergency services often overlook: indoor air quality in these centres. There is much more inside the room than just dust and allergens – we are talking about invisible dangers lurking in a four-walled room, such as carbon dioxide and toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Exposure to these contaminants can impact your workers’ brain function.
This blog post investigates indoor air quality challenges in emergency centres and fire stations, and the effects of poor air quality on brain function.
The Hidden Danger: Indoor Air Quality and Cognitive Performance
Poor air quality doesn’t only affect physical health – it also influences how your brain performs and makes decisions. A day at a standard workplace with poor indoor air quality will affect productivity; however, in high-stress environments such as a life safety command centre, it can lead to cognitive failure.
It is important to understand the science of brain performance when we discuss how indoor air quality affects decision-making. The brain is the hungriest organ in our bodies, responsible for 20% of daily energy consumption. Despite being just 2% of total body weight, it consumes a significant part of our energy each day. Studies suggest that the brain requires even more energy to function optimally.
Now imagine you are in an enclosed fire centre room with 15 people. Add computing systems that emit heat and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), plus the carbon dioxide exhaled by every occupant.
While CO2 levels and productivity at a workplace are correlated, rising carbon dioxide levels can hinder your brain activity. When CO₂ levels elevate in a closed space, CO₂ replaces the oxygen your body requires, causing your brain to slow down. Let’s find out what it does inside your skull:
- Reduces cerebral blood flow, causing blood vessels to constrict
- Slows down your neurons, leading to neural fatigue
- Hinders your ability to respond and exhibit impulse control
What Does the Data Say?
According to sources, optimal CO₂ levels are essential for good cognitive performance. The goal should be to keep CO₂ levels between 600 and 1000 parts per million (ppm) in an occupied space. However, in a highly occupied environment with limited ventilation capacity – such as a fire command centre – the range often goes above 1500 ppm.
Some common guidelines for acceptable CO2 levels are stated in the following table:
Indoor environments | 400-1000 ppm |
Offices and classrooms | Below 800-1000 ppm |
ASHRAE/OSHA guided workplaces | 700 ppm |
The effects of rising CO₂ levels vary. Let’s summarise them in a table:
Range | Health Impact |
1000 – 2000 ppm | Drowsiness and fatigue |
2000 – 5000 ppm | Poor performance, cognitive issues, nausea, fatigue, loss of concentration |
Above 50,000 ppm | Oxygen deprivation |
Above 100,000 ppm | Coma and death due to rapid oxygen deprivation |
So, you see, even a minimal rise in CO₂ levels can cause fatigue and drowsiness, which means you feel sleepy. Now, imagine you are at a fire centre covering a night shift. You feel sleepy, but suddenly your phone rings and orders for the immediate evacuation of a nearby building come in. What happens then? Your body dumps cortisol and adrenaline. Cortisol is a stress hormone that causes mental exhaustion when combined with high CO₂ levels. As time passes, decision loops will get shorter, and you will start hyper-focusing, eventually losing control.
What’s the Solution?
Traditional ventilation measures don’t work in such environments. On the other hand, air purifiers with a low MERV rating do not function effectively – especially when it comes to eliminating VOCs, airborne pollutants, and CO₂.
For a positive impact on health, focus, and performance through air quality, you need active intervention. This is where two highly effective air purifiers come into play: the PAS 3300 and the VisionAir Blue Line. These are commercial-grade air purifiers with HEPA filtration for the effective removal of airborne contaminants, CO₂, and VOCs.
The PAS 3300 is ideal for large spaces. Featuring HEPA 14 technology, this air purifier enables highly effective filtration, removing 99.995% of VOCs and airborne contaminants. It is easy to install thanks to its plug-and-play feature. For more information about the PAS 3300, visit our page.
On the other hand, Euromate Pure Air also offers the VisionAir Blue Line air purifier. This is a highly effective unit featuring HEPA filters to tackle suspended aerosols, airborne contaminants, viruses, and bacteria. With 99% efficiency, it provides a safe breathing environment for all occupants.
Conclusion
High-stress environments need clean air for people to function effectively. However, this is one variable that is often overlooked. Euromate Pure Air offers highly effective air purification technology because we understand the impact of air quality on focus and performance. Contact us to discuss our filtration products.
