New Indoor Air Quality Obligations in Residential Care Centres: What You Need to Know
On 7 June 2024, the Flemish Government updated the recognition conditions for ventilation in residential care centers and type 1 short stay centers. These adjustments are crucial for the health and safety of residents and staff.
On November 6, 2022 is a new legislationentered into force in Belgium that regulates indoor air quality in publicly accessible, closed spaces. This includes fitness centers, residential care centers, schools, cinemas, shops and other places where people are in enclosed spaces. This law is critical to ensuring a healthy environment, and involves some obligations for operators and owners of these facilities.
What does the law mean?
The law aims to improve air quality in public spaces and to guarantee a healthy indoor climate. This means that operators must regularly monitor and ensure optimal air quality, while following specific standards. Compliance with these standards is not only important for the health of visitors, but also for their reputation and compliance with legal regulations.
Who is covered by these obligations?
All publicly accessible closed spaces are covered by this legislation. This includes:
Fitness centers: Air quality is essential for athletes who breathe more air during physical exercise.
Residential care centers: Elderly people and vulnerable groups are sensitive to air pollution, which can make health problems worse.
Schools, cinemas, shops, and offices: Here, too, it is mandatory to monitor and maintain indoor air quality for visitors and staff.
What obligations are there?
Under this law, public space operators must take a number of actions:
Air Quality Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of air quality, for example by measuring CO₂ levels.
Air Duct Maintenance and Cleaning: Regular cleaning of air ducts, air groups and grilles to optimize air flow and quality.
Periodically Replacing Air Filters: Filters must be replaced in time to prevent the accumulation of dust, dirt and other harmful particles.
New Indoor Air Quality Obligations in Residential Care Centres:
On 7 June 2024, the Flemish Government updated the recognition conditions for ventilation in residential care centers and type 1 short stay centers. These adjustments are crucial for the health and safety of residents and staff.
What Does the New Legislation Mean?
The update includes specific CO₂ values and obligations:
Maximum CO₂ concentrations: Under normal circumstances, the CO₂ concentration in living areas should not exceed 1,200 ppm, with a target value of 900 ppm. In the event of an outbreak of respiratory infections, the limit is lowered to 900 ppm.
Ventilation plan and report: Residential care centers must have drawn up a ventilation plan by December 31, 2025 and submit a ventilation report by December 31, 2026.
What Does This Mean for Your Residential Care Center?
These new obligations require that residential care centers:
Regular Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of CO₂ levels to maintain a healthy indoor climate.
Maintenance of Ventilation Systems: Periodic cleaning and maintenance of air ducts, grilles and air groups to ensure optimal air quality.
Replacing Air Filters: Timely replacement of air filters to maintain the efficiency of ventilation systems.
The WZC and CVK type 1 that were recognized on July 1, 2024 or that will be recognized for the first time between July 1, 2024 and December 31, 2024, must have a ventilation plan by 31 December 2025. A first ventilation report must then be available no later than December 31, 2026.
At Valor Services, we understand the importance of hygienic air quality and are committed to complying with legal standards. We are an EVHA-certified company specializing in air quality management and hygienic cleaning services, and we offer a comprehensive range of services to support your facility in complying with legislation.
Our air quality services:
Cleaning Air Ducts and Grilles: Our thorough cleaning prevents the accumulation of dirt and improves air circulation in your space.
Maintenance and Cleaning of Air Groups: With a specialized team, we ensure that your air groups are free of bacteria and fungi that can be harmful to health.
Periodically Replacing Air Filters: We replace filters on time to ensure that the air your visitors breathe is of the highest quality.
Why choose Valor Services?
EVHA certification: If EVHA-certified company, we work according to the highest standards in hygienic air quality.
Expertise in Air Quality and Hygienic Cleaning: Our Valorists® team has extensive experience in cleaning and maintaining air quality systems.
Full Compliance and Quality: With our services, you not only guarantee a healthy environment, but you are also fully compliant with the legislation of November 6, 2022.
Choose Valor Services and ensure the air quality in your space. Don't hesitate to contact us to create a personal plan for your air quality and hygienic maintenance!
