Ghelamco Poland has introduced special solutions to its office buildings to prepare them for an epidemic which will become a standard in the company’s future projects. A new approach to HVAC systems will enable the buildings to operate in the so-called pandemic mode.
Ghelamco’s office buildings will be equipped with technology solutions which, in the event that the government announces a state of epidemic threat, will enable them to immediately switch to the so-called pandemic mode. The special mode of building operation has been developed based on Ghelamco’s internal analyses. In addition, the company commissioned a special report including recommendations on building systems in view of COVID-19. The document has been prepared by scientists from the Faculty of Building Services, Hydro and Environmental Engineering of Warsaw University of Technology.
In the pandemic mode, the air conditioning system will operate using only fresh air in order to avoid mixing the air extracted from office spaces with the one blown into them. This will prevent the spread of the virus within the entire office building. Procedures will also be introduced to control the number of persons using a lift at a time.
In The Warsaw Hub and Warsaw Unit office buildings UV lamps will be installed: in lifts (the lamps will be activated in the cabin in a stand-by mode) and in air conditioning systems. This will ensure air disinfection as UV radiation is biocidal and quickly and effectively kills microorganisms and viruses.
The developer will also introduce a mobile app which will inform building users if the building is operating in the so-called pandemic mode, which involves emergency procedures and safety rules. The employees will get up-to-date information, instructions and rules of conduct via the application. Chatbots and artificial intelligence will be used for communicating with the tenants.
With the application and smartphones, entry to the office buildings will be contactless both for employees and guests.
And what if it turns out that one of the employees is infected? If the tenant notifies such case, the access control system will allow for verifying the scope of such employee’s stay and activity within the building as well as of the persons that were in their company in the same zones and at the same time. Consequently, this will allow for identifying the persons needing quarantine.
Ghelamco’s office buildings will also enable detecting access control anomalies, such as unauthorized entries and exits, to improve tenants’ safety.
