Indoor Environmental Quality

Indoor Environmental Quality is the combined quality of indoor air, light, acoustics, thermal comfort, layout and related conditions.

What it means in a workplace context

Furniture affects ergonomics, materials, acoustics and spatial arrangement while building systems control many other factors.

Why it matters

Considering the complete environment prevents one product being presented as the complete wellbeing solution.

Questions to ask

• What decision or requirement does Indoor Environmental Quality support?
• Which evidence or record is required?
• Who owns the information and keeps it current?
• How does it affect furniture selection, service or future change?

Applying the concept

When Indoor Environmental Quality informs an ergonomic decision, consider the user, task, duration, equipment and environment together. Adapt general guidance where individual needs require specialist assessment.

Related Myntwork resources

• Ergonomics
• Ergonomic Workplace Guide
• Ergonomic Workstation Setup

Practical example

In a workplace project, Indoor Environmental Quality should be connected to a real decision rather than used as an isolated label. The project team should state the scope, responsible owner, required evidence and point at which the information will be reviewed. This may be during specification, quotation, handover, service, relocation or end-of-use.

Recording the definition in the project brief prevents different suppliers and internal teams from using the same term in different ways. Keep the supporting document or decision with the product schedule or asset record so the meaning remains available after installation.