Good indoor air quality is an important part of a safe and comfortable workplace. If you are responsible for a business, understanding the indoor air quality regulations in Ireland can help you identify ventilation problems, assess workplace risks and put appropriate control measures in place. Ireland’s Health and Safety Authority (HSA) provides specific guidance on workplace indoor air quality through its Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality, implemented through S.I. No. 255/2023. HSA’s Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality provides practical guidance on assessing and managing IAQ, ventilation and related workplace conditions.
What Are the Indoor Air Quality Regulations in Ireland?
There is not one standalone regulation covering every aspect of indoor air quality. Instead, workplace IAQ is addressed within Ireland’s wider health and safety framework, including the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, as amended by S.I. No. 255/2023.
The HSA’s Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality provides practical guidance for applying these requirements in workplaces. It covers areas including:
- Indoor air quality assessment
- Workplace ventilation
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
- Air changes per hour
- Temperature and humidity
- Air filtration
- Workplace contaminants
- Risk assessment
- Investigation of IAQ complaints
- Appropriate control measures
The HSA states that the Code is relevant to all places of work and can be used to develop policies, conduct risk assessments and implement measures to address indoor air quality and ventilation.
Read the HSA Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality for the official guidance.
What Does S.I. No. 255/2023 Mean for Workplace Air Quality?
S.I. No. 255/2023 amended the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 in relation to ventilation and indoor air quality.
The HSA explains that the amendment is intended to ensure that employers take appropriate action, in accordance with the relevant Code of Practice, to provide sufficient fresh air circulation in enclosed workplaces.
This means businesses should not treat indoor air quality simply as a comfort issue. Ventilation and IAQ should be considered as part of workplace health and safety management.
The appropriate approach will depend on the type of workplace, how it is used, the number of occupants, the ventilation system and the potential contaminants present.
Who Needs to Consider Indoor Air Quality?
The HSA Code of Practice applies to all places of work, although the level of assessment required can vary according to the complexity of the workplace.
This can include:
- Offices
- Schools and colleges
- Healthcare facilities
- Dental practices
- Nursing and care facilities
- Laboratories
- Retail premises
- Hospitality businesses
- Industrial workplaces
- Commercial buildings
- Other enclosed working environments
Simple workplaces may require relatively straightforward assessment and documentation, while more complex environments may require additional technical information and specialist expertise.
For example, a small naturally ventilated office may have very different IAQ considerations from a hospital, laboratory or industrial facility where there may be additional airborne contaminants or complex mechanical ventilation systems.
What Does the HSA Say About Workplace Ventilation?
Ventilation is one of the most important factors in maintaining good indoor air quality.
The HSA describes ventilation as the movement of outdoor air into a building and the circulation of air within a room while removing stale air. This can be achieved through natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation or a combination of both.
Workplace ventilation should therefore be considered as part of the overall risk assessment.
Businesses should identify areas where:
- There is inadequate natural or mechanical ventilation
- Mechanical systems recirculate air without an adequate outdoor air supply
- Rooms become stuffy
- Unpleasant or persistent odours are present
- Occupancy levels may exceed what the ventilation system can adequately support
- Other airborne contaminants may be present
Where a workplace has multiple or complex ventilation systems, the HSA notes that expert advice may be required.
Learn more about how to improve indoor air quality in offices for practical measures that can complement a workplace IAQ strategy.
What CO₂ Level Is Acceptable in an Irish Workplace?
Carbon dioxide is an important indicator when assessing ventilation in many occupied workplaces.
The HSA states that CO₂ monitors can be useful for identifying areas that may be poorly ventilated. Its ventilation guidance recommends maintaining CO₂ concentrations below 1,000 ppm for adequate ventilation, while concentrations above 1,400 ppm are likely to indicate poor ventilation.
However, CO₂ should not be treated as a universal measure of overall indoor air quality.
CO₂ is particularly useful as a proxy for ventilation where people are the main source of carbon dioxide. It is less effective in areas with few occupants, large spaces or other CO₂ sources such as combustion and cooking.
The HSA also recommends that CO₂ monitors used for this purpose should meet appropriate technical requirements, including CE marking and NDIR sensor technology.
This is why monitoring should be interpreted in context rather than relying on a single number.
What Should Businesses Monitor?
A workplace IAQ assessment may involve more than measuring CO₂.
Depending on the building and its activities, relevant parameters can include:
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
CO₂ can help identify areas where ventilation may be inadequate, particularly in occupied rooms.
PM2.5 and Fine Particles
Fine particulate matter can enter buildings from outdoor pollution and can also be generated indoors by activities such as cooking, combustion, smoking and some workplace processes.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
VOCs may originate from cleaning products, furnishings, building materials, paints and other products used inside a building.
Temperature and Humidity
Temperature and humidity can influence occupant comfort and may form part of an overall indoor environmental assessment.
Other Contaminants
Some workplaces may require assessment of specific chemical, biological or particulate contaminants depending on the activities taking place.
The HSA Code of Practice provides a framework for considering these parameters alongside ventilation and other workplace factors.
Do Businesses Need an Indoor Air Quality Risk Assessment?
Indoor air quality should be considered within workplace risk assessment.
The HSA Code of Practice provides a practical risk assessment approach to help determine IAQ conditions in the workplace. The assessment should take into account the complexity of the environment, possible contaminants, ventilation arrangements and relevant workplace activities.
For a straightforward workplace, this may involve reviewing ventilation, identifying obvious sources of contamination, consulting employees and documenting the arrangements.
More complex environments may require additional information about mechanical ventilation performance, contaminants and other technical factors.
A useful IAQ assessment should therefore answer questions such as:
- Is there adequate fresh air?
- Are occupied areas properly ventilated?
- Are there areas where CO₂ levels are consistently elevated?
- Are there sources of particles, smoke, VOCs or other contaminants?
- Is the ventilation system operating as intended?
- Are employees reporting stuffiness, odours or other IAQ concerns?
- Are additional control measures required?
Can Air Purifiers Be Used to Improve Workplace Indoor Air Quality?
Air purification can be an important part of an IAQ strategy, but it should not automatically be considered a replacement for adequate ventilation.
Ventilation and air purification perform different functions.
Ventilation introduces outdoor air and helps remove stale indoor air.
Air purification can help reduce specific airborne pollutants by filtering or treating the air that passes through the purifier.
The HSA identifies air filtration as one of the measures that can form part of indoor air quality management. The appropriate solution depends on the workplace, contaminants, ventilation arrangements and risk assessment.
For environments where additional particle filtration is appropriate, high-performance HEPA and specialist filtration systems can provide an additional layer of control.
Clean Air Technology supplies IQAir air purification systems in Ireland for residential, commercial and specialist applications. The range includes solutions for offices, healthcare environments, schools, dental practices and other settings.
Explore IQAir air purification solutions in Ireland.
Why Indoor Air Quality Monitoring Matters
Monitoring can help businesses understand what is happening inside a workplace instead of relying only on how the room feels.
An indoor air quality monitor can provide data that helps identify patterns such as:
- Increasing CO₂ during busy periods
- Elevated particulate levels
- Changes in air quality during specific activities
- Differences between rooms
- Changes following ventilation adjustments
- Changes after air purification is introduced
Clean Air Technology supplies the IQAir AirVisual Pro indoor air quality monitor, which is designed to monitor indoor air quality and provide real-time and historical data.
The AirVisual Pro can measure parameters including PM2.5 and CO₂, along with temperature and humidity, helping users better understand indoor environmental conditions.
Monitoring is particularly useful when combined with a broader assessment rather than being treated as the complete solution by itself.
What Should Businesses Do If Indoor Air Quality Is Poor?
If monitoring, complaints or an assessment indicates potential IAQ problems, the next step should be to identify and address the underlying causes.
A practical approach can include:
1. Identify the Problem
Determine which rooms or areas are affected and when the problem occurs.
2. Check Ventilation
Review natural and mechanical ventilation arrangements and confirm that systems are operating as intended.
3. Identify Potential Pollutant Sources
Look for indoor and outdoor sources of particles, smoke, VOCs, chemicals or other contaminants.
4. Measure Relevant Parameters
Use appropriate monitoring to understand CO₂, particulate matter and other relevant conditions.
5. Improve Ventilation Where Appropriate
Where inadequate ventilation is the underlying issue, consider appropriate measures to increase fresh air supply or improve ventilation performance.
6. Consider Air Filtration
Where airborne particles or specific contaminants remain a concern, appropriate air filtration may provide an additional control measure.
7. Monitor the Results
After changes have been implemented, continued monitoring can help determine whether conditions have improved.
This approach creates a more evidence-based IAQ strategy than simply installing an air purifier without first understanding the problem.
Indoor Air Quality for Different Types of Irish Businesses
The appropriate IAQ strategy varies significantly between workplaces.
Offices
Offices commonly need to consider occupancy, CO₂, ventilation, particulate matter and comfort.
Schools and Colleges
Classroom occupancy and ventilation can make CO₂ monitoring particularly useful for identifying poorly ventilated areas.
Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals and clinics may have additional requirements relating to airborne particles, infection control and specialist environments.
Dental Practices
Dental procedures can generate aerosols and other airborne contaminants, making source control, ventilation and filtration important considerations.
Laboratories
Laboratories can have highly specific contamination and ventilation requirements depending on the work being carried out.
Care and Nursing Facilities
Care environments may need to consider occupant vulnerability, ventilation and airborne contaminants as part of their overall indoor environmental strategy.
Clean Air Technology provides specialist IQAir solutions for a range of these environments.
Indoor Air Quality Regulations Ireland: What Should Businesses Do Now?
Businesses should view indoor air quality as an ongoing workplace management issue rather than a one-time equipment purchase.
A sensible process is:
Assess → Measure → Identify → Improve → Monitor
Start by understanding the workplace and its ventilation arrangements. Use appropriate monitoring where useful. Identify potential sources of poor IAQ. Improve ventilation or other controls where necessary, and consider appropriate filtration where it can provide additional protection.
The HSA Code of Practice should be used alongside the relevant health and safety requirements and any sector-specific requirements that apply to the workplace.
For complex environments, businesses should seek appropriate competent professional advice rather than relying solely on a consumer air-quality monitor or standalone purifier.
Conclusion
Understanding indoor air quality regulations in Ireland is an important part of managing a safe and well-functioning workplace. The HSA Code of Practice provides businesses with a practical framework for assessing indoor air quality, ventilation and relevant parameters such as CO₂.
The most effective approach is not to rely on one solution. Businesses should assess their environment, understand ventilation performance, monitor relevant pollutants and introduce appropriate control measures.
Where additional filtration is appropriate, specialist air purification can complement a broader IAQ strategy.
Clean Air Technology supplies IQAir air purification and indoor air quality monitoring solutions across Ireland. Speak to Clean Air Technology expert about your indoor air quality requirements and discuss the appropriate solution for your workplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the indoor air quality regulations in Ireland?
Workplace indoor air quality is addressed within Ireland’s health and safety framework, including the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, as amended by S.I. No. 255/2023. The HSA Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality provides practical guidance for assessing and managing workplace IAQ and ventilation.
Is there an Irish HSA Code of Practice for indoor air quality?
Yes, the Health and Safety Authority has published a Code of Practice for Indoor Air Quality. It provides practical guidance on workplace IAQ, ventilation, risk assessment, CO₂, air filtration and other relevant parameters.
What CO₂ level should a workplace aim for in Ireland?
The HSA ventilation guidance recommends maintaining CO₂ concentrations below 1,000 ppm for adequate ventilation. CO₂ levels above 1,400 ppm are likely to indicate poor ventilation. CO₂ should, however, be interpreted in the context of the workplace and other potential sources.
Is CO₂ monitoring required in every Irish workplace?
Not necessarily as a standalone requirement for every workplace. The HSA identifies CO₂ monitoring as a useful way of checking for poorly ventilated areas in appropriate circumstances. The monitoring approach should reflect the workplace, occupancy, ventilation and other sources of CO₂.
Can an air purifier replace workplace ventilation?
No, air purification and ventilation perform different functions. Ventilation introduces outdoor air and removes stale air, while air purification filters or treats air within the space. Air purification may complement ventilation where additional filtration is appropriate.
What does an indoor air quality monitor measure?
Depending on the device, an indoor air quality monitor may measure parameters such as CO₂, PM2.5, temperature and humidity. Some systems can also monitor other pollutants. The parameters required depend on the workplace and the IAQ concerns being investigated.
How can businesses improve indoor air quality in Ireland?
Businesses can improve IAQ by assessing ventilation, identifying pollutant sources, maintaining ventilation systems, monitoring relevant parameters, improving fresh-air supply where appropriate and considering suitable air filtration where additional control is required.
Why is indoor air quality important in the workplace?
Poor indoor air quality can be associated with discomfort and health concerns, while inadequate ventilation can contribute to stuffy environments and elevated CO₂. Managing IAQ can support a healthier and more comfortable workplace environment.