Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can have serious impacts on occupant health, project compliance, and property value. At Western Health & Safety, we specialize in identifying and resolving IAQ concerns in schools, commercial properties, public facilities, and residential environments. Every assessment is led or reviewed by a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), ensuring that results are defensible, timely, and tailored to meet regulatory and insurance standards.
We serve clients throughout Alberta and British Columbia with professional air quality investigations covering mould, smoke and soot, radon, allergens, and chemical contaminants.
We serve clients throughout Alberta and British Columbia with professional air quality investigations covering mould, smoke and soot, radon, allergens, and chemical contaminants.
When Is Indoor Air Quality Testing Needed?
Indoor air quality testing is commonly triggered by:
- Persistent odours or occupant health complaints
- Water damage, flooding, or fire restoration
- Renovation or occupancy changes in older buildings
- Elevated radon levels or testing requests in real estate
- School board, WorkSafeBC, or OH&S compliance reviews
Our Indoor Air Quality Testing Services Include:
- Mould testing: air and surface sampling for spores and moisture-related fungal growth
- Smoke and soot assessments: post-fire or wildfire exposure analysis
- Radon gas testing: short-term and long-term exposure risk monitoring
- VOC sampling: identification of off-gassing from building materials or stored products
- Particulate matter analysis: PM2.5 and PM10 sampling
- CO/CO₂ testing: combustion and ventilation performance evaluations
- Humidity & HVAC monitoring: IAQ-related comfort and condensation factors
Industries and Facilities We Serve
- School Boards & Educational Institutions
- Commercial Office Towers & Retail
- Restoration & Insurance Contractors
- Multi-Unit Residential Properties
- Municipal Facilities & Public Works
- Healthcare & Long-Term Care Facilities
WHS APPROACH
Indoor air quality issues are often tied directly to ventilation system design — especially in schools, public buildings, and high-occupancy facilities. Western Health & Safety supports both proactive and complaint-driven IAQ assessments, integrating two core ventilation design standards:
Prescriptive Ventilation: The Ventilation Rate Procedure
Most building codes across Alberta and British Columbia follow ASHRAE 62.1, which sets baseline outdoor air requirements. This prescriptive method calculates ventilation needs based on:
- Occupancy levels
- Space type and use (e.g., classrooms, offices, healthcare)
- Floor area per person
Performance-Based Ventilation: Indoor Air Quality Procedure
For buildings with complex contaminant sources — such as restoration sites or chemical storage areas — Western Health & Safety can apply the Indoor Air Quality Procedure, which allows for more flexibility and control. This approach includes:
- Measurement of airborne pollutants (mould, VOCs, CO₂, PM2.5)
- Evaluation of air cleaning technologies (filtration, ionization, activated carbon)
- Validation against health-based exposure limits (AHS, Health Canada, OH&S)
Proactive vs Complaint-Based IAQ Testing
Proactive IAQ Assessments
Proactive assessments are scheduled annually or seasonally to prevent complaints and ensure ventilation systems meet OH&S standards. These inspections are common in:
- Schools prior to re-occupancy
- Healthcare or long-term care settings
- Facilities undergoing HVAC upgrades or retrofits
Compliant Based IAQ Assessments
If occupants report symptoms like headaches, fatigue, odours, or respiratory irritation, a complaint-driven IAQ assessment should be performed. These are typically triggered by:
By offering both proactive and complaint-based assessments, Western Health and Safety can help building owners and managers maintain a healthy and comfortable indoor environment for their occupants. If you suspect that your building has indoor air quality issues, it's important to contact a professional to perform an assessment and determine the appropriate actions to take.
- Post-flood or smoke damage
- Health complaints from one or more occupants
- Legal or insurance claim support needs
By offering both proactive and complaint-based assessments, Western Health and Safety can help building owners and managers maintain a healthy and comfortable indoor environment for their occupants. If you suspect that your building has indoor air quality issues, it's important to contact a professional to perform an assessment and determine the appropriate actions to take.
Why It Matters:
Both proactive and complaint-based IAQ assessments reduce risk, improve tenant satisfaction, and protect against non-compliance. Western Health & Safety specializes in both — with services calibrated to meet real-world building conditions, not just textbook standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓What is the difference between proactive and complaint-based IAQ testing?
Proactive IAQ testing is scheduled in advance to verify that a building's ventilation and air quality meet regulatory and health standards. Complaint-based testing is triggered by health symptoms, odours, or events like smoke or flooding, and is designed to identify and address specific issues affecting occupants.
❓What contaminants are typically found in poor indoor air quality?
Common indoor air pollutants include mould spores, radon gas, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10). These contaminants vary based on building materials, occupant density, and HVAC performance.
❓How do I know if my ventilation system meets ASHRAE standards?
Ventilation compliance is assessed using the Ventilation Rate Procedure or the Indoor Air Quality Procedure from ASHRAE 62.1. Western Health & Safety evaluates airflow, space occupancy, and contaminant levels to confirm if your system meets Alberta OHS or WorkSafeBC standards.
❓Is IAQ testing mandatory in Alberta or British Columbia?
In British Columbia, IAQ investigations are mandatory under WorkSafeBC Regulation 4.79. Employers must investigate indoor air quality when:
- complaints are reported,
- occupancy changes substantially, or
- renovations significantly affect the ventilation system.
- assessment of ventilation rates (unless CO₂ levels are <650 ppm above ambient),
- inspection of the ventilation system,
- sampling for any contaminants associated with the complaints, and
- documentation of the complaint, findings, and corrective actions.
❓How much does a certified IAQ assessment cost?
Most indoor air quality assessments range from $750 to $4,000, depending on the number of samples, contaminants tested, and whether urgent reporting or litigation-grade documentation is required.
❓Can IAQ testing help with insurance claims or legal issues?
Yes. Western Health & Safety provides CIH-reviewed, defensible reports that can be used to support insurance claims, union grievances, legal disputes, and regulatory audits.
Need Fast, Certified IAQ Testing?
If you’re managing a building with health complaints, water/fire damage, or compliance deadlines, Western Health & Safety is your partner for certified indoor air quality testing in Alberta and British Columbia. Book an assessment today or contact us to speak directly with a CIH.
Modified November 2025