Indoor air quality is one of the most important factors in workplace comfort, health, productivity and building performance. In the UAE, where offices, clinics, laboratories, schools, warehouses and commercial buildings rely heavily on air-conditioning, the indoor environment can change significantly depending on HVAC performance, humidity control, ventilation, occupancy, filtration and building maintenance.

A workplace may feel acceptable at first, but still have hidden indoor air quality issues. Employees may report headaches, dryness, fatigue, stale air, musty odours, irritation, discomfort or poor concentration. Without testing, it can be difficult to know whether the issue is caused by temperature, humidity, ventilation, dust, poor filtration, mould risk, chemical odours, overcrowding or HVAC performance.

RMT provides indoor air quality testing in the UAE, helping companies assess workplace conditions using measurable data. IAQ testing supports employee comfort, facilities management, HSE reviews, HVAC troubleshooting and compliance with recognised guidance such as Dubai Municipality IAQ guidance, ASHRAE 62.1 and ASHRAE 55.

What poor indoor air quality does to a workplace

Poor indoor air quality can affect people, buildings and operations. In many cases, IAQ problems are not caused by one obvious issue. They may come from a combination of poor ventilation, high humidity, low humidity, dirty filters, water leaks, overcrowding, cleaning products, poor AC performance, dust, outdoor air infiltration or poorly maintained building systems.

Poor IAQ can contribute to:

• repeated employee complaints;
• headaches, fatigue or discomfort;
• dry eyes, throat irritation or dryness;
• stale or heavy air;
• musty odours;
• condensation or dampness;
• suspected mould concerns;
• reduced concentration and productivity;
• discomfort in meeting rooms and high-occupancy areas;
• HVAC complaints that are difficult to diagnose;
• concerns during HSE, landlord or management reviews.

For companies, the cost of poor IAQ is not only discomfort. It can create repeated complaints, lower confidence in the workplace, increased maintenance callouts and difficulty proving that concerns have been properly investigated.

Why indoor air quality testing is important

Indoor air quality testing gives companies evidence. Instead of relying on subjective comments such as “the office feels stale” or “this room feels unhealthy,” testing provides measurable readings that can be compared with relevant guidelines and workplace conditions.

IAQ testing helps companies:

• identify whether comfort complaints are supported by data;
• understand whether temperature and humidity are within target ranges;
• check whether certain rooms or zones perform worse than others;
• investigate stale air, odours, dryness, dampness or condensation;
• support HVAC troubleshooting;
• assess whether ventilation and filtration may need review;
• provide documentation for HSE teams, facilities managers and management;
• make practical improvements based on measured evidence.

ASHRAE describes Standard 62.1 and 62.2 as recognised standards for ventilation system design and acceptable indoor air quality, with minimum ventilation rates and other measures intended to minimise adverse health effects for occupants. ASHRAE also notes that Standard 62.1 includes requirements for mechanical and natural ventilation systems, filtration, controls, air cleaning systems, and building operations and maintenance.

Key indoor air quality factors companies should monitor

Indoor air quality is not measured by one value alone. A good IAQ assessment should consider multiple environmental and building-performance factors.

Temperature

Temperature is a major part of indoor comfort. In UAE buildings, overcooling, undercooling, solar gain, poor zoning and AC diffuser placement can all create complaints.

For UAE/Dubai IAQ screening, RMT uses a target dry-bulb temperature range of 22.5°C to 25.5°C for acceptable indoor comfort.

When readings fall outside this range, companies may need to review HVAC setpoints, zoning, air balancing, diffuser locations, occupancy levels, solar gain or heat-producing equipment.

Humidity

Humidity affects comfort, indoor air quality and building condition. High humidity can contribute to dampness, condensation, musty odours and mould-related concerns. Low humidity can cause dryness, eye irritation, throat irritation and static.

RMT uses a target range of 20% to 60% relative humidity, with sustained readings above 60% RH treated as an issue requiring investigation.

Humidity should always be measured alongside temperature because the two conditions work together to influence comfort.

Ventilation and CO₂

Ventilation affects how fresh or stale a workplace feels. Poor ventilation can allow odours, heat, moisture and occupant-generated pollutants to build up, especially in meeting rooms, classrooms, clinics, open-plan offices and high-occupancy areas.

CO₂ can be useful as an indicator of occupancy and ventilation performance. High CO₂ readings may suggest that fresh air supply, occupancy levels or ventilation effectiveness should be reviewed.

ASHRAE 62.1 is especially relevant here because it focuses on ventilation and acceptable indoor air quality for occupied buildings.

Dust and airborne particles

Dust and particles may come from outdoor air, construction activity, carpets, poor housekeeping, printers, warehouses, production areas, poorly sealed doors, dirty filters or HVAC systems.

Particle-related IAQ testing is useful when employees report irritation, visible dust, poor cleanliness, odours, or symptoms that appear worse in certain rooms.

Possible corrective actions may include reviewing filtration, cleaning frequency, HVAC maintenance, construction dust control, outdoor air entry points and housekeeping practices.

Odours and VOC-related concerns

Odours may come from cleaning chemicals, new furniture, carpets, paints, adhesives, printers, pantries, washrooms, storage areas or poor ventilation.

VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are often linked to materials, chemicals and products used inside buildings. If staff report chemical smells, irritation or discomfort after fit-outs or cleaning, the company should investigate possible sources and ventilation performance.

Moisture, dampness and mould risk

Mould-related concerns usually begin with moisture. High humidity, condensation, leaks, poor AC drainage or damp materials can all create conditions that need investigation.

IAQ testing helps identify whether humidity is consistently high and whether the issue may be linked to HVAC performance, drainage, ventilation or building fabric.

Thermal comfort

Indoor air quality and thermal comfort are closely connected. ASHRAE 55 explains that thermal comfort depends on environmental factors such as temperature, thermal radiation, humidity and air speed, as well as personal factors such as activity and clothing.

This matters because a workplace can have acceptable air quality but still feel uncomfortable if temperature, humidity or air movement is poorly controlled.

Ideal indoor air quality values and guideline references

For general UAE workplace comfort screening, RMT uses the following practical benchmarks:

Temperature:
22.5°C to 25.5°C dry-bulb temperature

Relative humidity:
20% to 60% RH, with sustained readings above 60% RH requiring investigation

Lighting, where included in environmental comfort testing:
300 to 500 lux at the workstation or working plane

Noise, where included in environmental comfort testing:
Approximately 45 to 50 dB(A) LAeq,T for open-plan office comfort where concentration and acoustic privacy are important

For ventilation and broader IAQ review, ASHRAE 62.1 is a key reference because it addresses ventilation system design, acceptable IAQ, filtration, controls, air cleaning, operation and maintenance.

For comfort-related IAQ, ASHRAE 55 is also relevant because it confirms that temperature, humidity, radiant temperature, air speed, activity and clothing all combine to determine whether occupants find the indoor environment acceptable.

Why IAQ readings alone are not enough

Indoor air quality testing should not be treated as a simple pass-or-fail exercise. A single reading may not show the full issue.

For example, a meeting room may have acceptable readings when empty but become uncomfortable during long meetings. A humidity reading may be acceptable in the morning but rise later due to occupancy, AC cycling or poor drainage. A room may feel stale because of poor ventilation even if temperature is within range. A musty smell may point to a local moisture source rather than a whole-building problem.

A proper IAQ assessment should consider:

• readings during normal occupancy;
• differences between rooms and zones;
• complaints reported by employees;
• HVAC operation and schedules;
• filtration and maintenance condition;
• humidity and temperature together;
• visible signs of dampness or condensation;
• odours and likely sources;
• occupancy levels;
• outdoor air and building entry points;
• whether the issue is temporary, repeated or continuous.

The aim is not only to collect numbers. The aim is to understand what the readings mean for the people using the building.

How to improve indoor air quality in different situations

Indoor air quality problems can have different causes. The correct improvement depends on what the testing shows.

If the workplace feels stale

Stale air is often linked to ventilation, occupancy or HVAC operation.

Possible improvements include:

• reviewing fresh air supply;
• checking ventilation rates;
• checking whether dampers are operating correctly;
• reviewing occupancy levels in meeting rooms;
• improving air distribution;
• checking whether filters are blocked;
• reviewing HVAC operating schedules;
• considering demand-controlled ventilation where appropriate.

Meeting rooms and training rooms are common problem areas because many people may occupy a small space for long periods.

If humidity is too high

High humidity can create discomfort, dampness and mould-related concerns.

Possible improvements include:

• checking AC dehumidification performance;
• inspecting drainage lines and drip trays;
• checking for condensation;
• investigating leaks or damp materials;
• reviewing ventilation;
• reducing uncontrolled outdoor air entry;
• checking whether doors are frequently left open;
• monitoring humidity over time.

In the UAE, high humidity should be investigated carefully because outdoor humidity and AC performance can strongly affect indoor conditions.

If the office feels too dry

Low humidity can cause dryness, irritation and discomfort, especially in heavily air-conditioned spaces.

Possible improvements include:

• reviewing AC setpoints;
• avoiding unnecessary overcooling;
• checking whether the issue is limited to certain zones;
• recording staff complaints alongside humidity readings;
• reviewing ventilation balance;
• considering controlled humidity solutions only where suitable.

Low humidity should be treated as a comfort issue when readings are low and staff report dryness or irritation.

If there are musty odours

Musty odours may indicate damp materials, poor drainage, high humidity or hidden moisture.

Possible improvements include:

• inspecting AC drip trays and drainage;
• checking ceiling tiles, carpets and wall finishes;
• investigating leaks;
• checking humidity over time;
• improving ventilation;
• removing or replacing damp materials;
• addressing the moisture source before cosmetic repairs.

Simply using air fresheners does not solve IAQ problems. The source should be identified and corrected.

If dust levels are high

Dust may come from outdoor air, construction, poor cleaning, old carpets, warehouses, production areas or HVAC systems.

Possible improvements include:

• checking HVAC filters;
• improving filtration where suitable;
• increasing cleaning frequency;
• sealing uncontrolled dust entry points;
• isolating construction or maintenance areas;
• reviewing carpet and soft furnishing condition;
• checking whether supply air is carrying dust;
• improving housekeeping in storage areas.

Dust control is especially important in clinics, laboratories, offices, archives, schools and technical facilities.

If odours or chemical smells are present

Chemical odours may come from cleaning products, paints, adhesives, furniture, carpets, printers or stored materials.

Possible improvements include:

• identifying and removing the source where possible;
• improving ventilation during and after cleaning or fit-out work;
• selecting low-emission materials;
• storing chemicals properly;
• separating printer or chemical storage areas;
• reviewing exhaust ventilation;
• scheduling strong cleaning activities outside working hours.

IAQ testing after a fit-out can be especially useful because new materials may release odours or VOCs during the early occupancy period.

If different areas feel different

Uneven comfort across a building often points to zoning, balancing, occupancy, solar gain or local HVAC issues.

Possible improvements include:

• comparing readings between zones;
• checking HVAC balancing;
• reviewing diffuser locations;
• checking meeting room occupancy;
• investigating perimeter zones near windows;
• checking internal rooms with limited airflow;
• reviewing thermostat locations;
• monitoring during normal working hours.

This is common in UAE offices with glass façades, open-plan layouts and multiple AC zones.

Why companies in the UAE should test indoor air quality

Indoor air quality testing is especially valuable in the UAE because buildings face high outdoor temperatures, humidity, dust, strong sunlight and heavy air-conditioning demand. These conditions place constant pressure on HVAC systems and can create comfort or IAQ issues even in modern buildings.

Companies should consider IAQ testing when:

• employees report headaches, fatigue, dryness or irritation;
• there are complaints about stale or heavy air;
• musty odours are present;
• humidity or condensation is noticed;
• meeting rooms become uncomfortable during use;
• HVAC complaints are repeated;
• an office has recently been fitted out or renovated;
• filters, ventilation or AC performance are being questioned;
• sensitive materials, equipment or records are stored on site;
• HSE, HR or facilities teams need documented evidence;
• management wants to improve workplace comfort and productivity.

IAQ testing gives companies a clear basis for action and helps avoid guessing, over-adjusting HVAC settings or repeatedly calling contractors without solving the root cause.

Indoor air quality testing by RMT in the UAE

RMT provides indoor air quality testing in the UAE for offices, commercial buildings, clinics, laboratories, schools, warehouses, museums, archives and industrial support areas.

Our testing helps companies understand whether indoor conditions are suitable, whether temperature and humidity are within target ranges, whether ventilation or moisture concerns need investigation, and what practical improvements may be required.

For UAE businesses, indoor air quality testing is a practical way to improve workplace comfort, reduce complaints, support HSE reviews, improve facilities management and create healthier, more productive indoor environments.