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Previously on "Finally a solution - ‘Covid-secure’ offices to get Britain back to work"

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  • SueEllen
    replied
    Originally posted by OwlHoot View Post
    Yep, _and_ it greatly dehumidifies the air, which makes things even easier for the virus.

    I think air conditioning should be banned in the UK. Why not just have windows that open, or more natural temperature exchange systems?

    After all, it wastes huge amounts of energy, so much so that banning it would go a good way towards meeting our CO2 reduction goals.

    Also, I don't think the sharp temperature drops of leaving sweltering heat outside and entering a freezing cold building can be at all healthy.
    I have to bring extra clothes with me in the summer as air conditioned buildings have such an uneven temperature.

    Leave a comment:


  • Old Greg
    replied
    Originally posted by ladymuck View Post
    So...you were asked why you didn't evacuate for a fire alarm they knew you wouldn't hear? Wow. That's harsh!
    That's contracting life for you. Fire safety is for permies.

    Leave a comment:


  • OwlHoot
    replied
    Originally posted by ladymuck View Post

    Doesn't air conditioning make all the social distancing pointless anyway as it just recycles and redistributes the air in the office? Most companies don't bother investing in cleaning them at the best of times, so spreading all manner of nasties
    Yep, _and_ it greatly dehumidifies the air, which makes things even easier for the virus.

    I think air conditioning should be banned in the UK. Why not just have windows that open, or more natural temperature exchange systems?

    After all, it wastes huge amounts of energy, so much so that banning it would go a good way towards meeting our CO2 reduction goals.

    Also, I don't think the sharp temperature drops of leaving sweltering heat outside and entering a freezing cold building can be at all healthy.

    Leave a comment:


  • Old Greg
    replied
    Originally posted by ladymuck View Post
    Pretty much what I was thinking of.

    I'd be asking any client about their AC before I (re)entered the building.
    Apparently, it's a thing.

    Early Release - COVID-19 Outbreak Associated with Air Conditioning in Restaurant, Guangzhou, China, 2020 - Volume 26, Number 7—July 2020 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal - CDC

    Leave a comment:


  • ladymuck
    replied
    Originally posted by DaveB View Post
    Depends on how well the AC units can filter the air.

    I worked at a large merchant bank in the city years ago. IT were in the 2nd sub basement. No windows, artificial lighting and constant AC. If anyone got a cold the entire floor had it within a week.

    See also Sick Building Syndrome.
    Pretty much what I was thinking of.

    I'd be asking any client about their AC before I (re)entered the building.

    Leave a comment:


  • DaveB
    replied
    Originally posted by Old Greg View Post
    Depends if that's a significant risk factor for transmission of the virus (I don't know the answer).
    Depends on how well the AC units can filter the air.

    I worked at a large merchant bank in the city years ago. IT were in the 2nd sub basement. No windows, artificial lighting and constant AC. If anyone got a cold the entire floor had it within a week.

    See also Sick Building Syndrome.

    Leave a comment:


  • Old Greg
    replied
    Originally posted by ladymuck View Post
    Doesn't air conditioning make all the social distancing pointless anyway as it just recycles and redistributes the air in the office? Most companies don't bother investing in cleaning them at the best of times, so spreading all manner of nasties
    Depends if that's a significant risk factor for transmission of the virus (I don't know the answer).

    Leave a comment:


  • ladymuck
    replied
    Doesn't air conditioning make all the social distancing pointless anyway as it just recycles and redistributes the air in the office? Most companies don't bother investing in cleaning them at the best of times, so spreading all manner of nasties

    Leave a comment:


  • ladymuck
    replied
    Originally posted by Old Greg View Post
    They can prioritise. Current client had all the contractors in one large room in a corner of the (18th century) building. The fire alarm went off and none of us heard it. Someone came round 15 minute later and asked why we hadn't evacuated for the fire alarm. We said that we hadn't heard a fire alarm, and he said, 'No, it doesn't work in this corner of the building.' The permies really don't like that we get paid more.
    So...you were asked why you didn't evacuate for a fire alarm they knew you wouldn't hear? Wow. That's harsh!

    Leave a comment:


  • Old Greg
    replied
    Originally posted by OwlHoot View Post
    Also, in large office blocks what about fire evacuations, whether drills or genuine, when everyone would have to pile out of their offices and crowd together down emergency stairs?
    They can prioritise. Current client had all the contractors in one large room in a corner of the (18th century) building. The fire alarm went off and none of us heard it. Someone came round 15 minute later and asked why we hadn't evacuated for the fire alarm. We said that we hadn't heard a fire alarm, and he said, 'No, it doesn't work in this corner of the building.' The permies really don't like that we get paid more.

    Leave a comment:


  • OwlHoot
    replied
    Originally posted by GmartSuy View Post

    Depends on the size of the office i'd imagine, small start up/ agencies could probably get away with it but those offices in large buildings will most definitely need some sort of rota in place to limit the amount of people in the office.
    Also, in large office blocks what about fire evacuations, whether drills or genuine, when everyone would have to pile out of their offices and crowd together down emergency stairs?

    Leave a comment:


  • jds 1981
    replied
    I was actually using one of those today, using a sprayer to apply decking oil to my decking. Quite comfortable and totally filtered the fumes.

    Also, my current offices would need to rearrange the desks or have every other occupied due to horrendous line based layout. Would only be a good thing

    Leave a comment:


  • ladymuck
    replied
    Originally posted by darmstadt View Post
    Germany might, possibly, have it sorted:
    I think the key point there, shame this isn't in the WFH thread, is "if the employee wants to". There is a real risk that companies could force people to WFH even if it's not suitable for the worker.

    Leave a comment:


  • darmstadt
    replied
    Germany might, possibly, have it sorted:

    Germany’s labour minister Hubertus Heil is working on legislation that would give employees the right to work from home, even after the current crisis when social distancing will be no longer needed.

    “Everyone who wants to and whose workplace allows it should be able to work in a home office, even when the coronavirus pandemic is over,” Heil told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper.

    About 25% of Germans are now estimated to be working from home, up from about 12% normally.


    Heil said he would table legislation later in the year to enshrine the right to work from home in law, even full-time if that is what employees want.


    Finance minister Olaf Scholz, like Heil a Social Democrat, expressed approval for the idea.


    “The past weeks have shown how much is possible in the home office, this is a real achievement that we should not just abandon,” he told the paper.

    Leave a comment:


  • GmartSuy
    replied
    Depends on the size of the office i'd imagine, small start up/ agencies could probably get away with it but those offices in large buildings will most definitely need some sort of rota in place to limit the amount of people in the office.

    Leave a comment:

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