Who Should You Call? Navigating Expertise, Judgement, and Risk Management in Indoor Air Quality Decision-Making

Yet decisions such as closing hospital wards, servicing HVAC systems, or remediating buildings are rarely straightforward. HVAC engineers and building professionals are often the first asked to interpret these concerns and determine whether issues lie in ventilation systems, building operation, or wider environmental factors. While standards provide consistency, they may constrain interpretation, and where they are absent decisions can rely on outdated guidance or personal opinion. IAQ services also come from diverse disciplines, many without formal certification pathways. Individuals offering similar services may therefore range from those with basic certificates to engineers, certified occupational hygienists, or researchers with advanced degrees. For building owners and operators, the real challenge is knowing who to call and what level of expertise is needed to prioritise safety based on the risk posed by the problem. This presentation provides a roadmap to overcome it.