CBRE’s Opinion on Competitiveness as Office Buildings Fight Against Pollution with Air Purification Initiatives
December 5, 2014, Beijing –Hazy, high pollution days are a hot topic once again. On November 26, the cities of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Henan and Shandong indicated yellow level pollution warnings while on November 12, Shanghai indicated a yellow level warning with Hangzhou, Nanjing and Chengdu also affected. The daily lifestyle of urban professionals now often includes the wearing of anti-pollution masks, the use of air purifiers and a reduction of outdoor activities on high pollution days. At the same time, many companies have implemented air purification initiatives to reduce air pollution harm to their employees. As the global leading commercial real estate services and investment firm, CBRE pointed out recently that an increasing number of first tier city office buildings have begun to install air purification systems, making air purification a new factor in office building support facilities.
Air purification systems are capable of maintaining a far higher quality of air in office building environments. The Nokia Beijing Representative Office maintained a daily PM2.5 level at 30-40 (microgram/m3) upon installation of its air purification system. The China World Trade Center Tower located in the Beijing CBD, after equipping its three office buildings with an air purification system, delivers an average PM2.5 and PM10 value of 30-40 microgram/m3 even on heavily polluted days, far lower than the average 200-300 level found in outdoor areas. According to China’s ambient air quality standards updated in 2012, the recommended standard of PM2.5 is an average daily concentration ≤75 microgram/m3 with PM10 average daily concentration at ≤150 microgram/m3.
Middle and high-grade office buildings are often densely populated. A typical 20-floor, 50,000sqm office building normally accommodates 4,000-5,000 people, with 10-15sqm/person at 2,500sqm per floor. Central air conditioning systems plus ozone emissions from office equipment already compromise office air quality with extreme outdoor pollution days compounding the issue further.
Charles Gu, Associate Director, Project Management, CBRE China stated, “Just as office buildings began indoor air quality assessment scheme more than a decade ago, the installation of air purification systems has also become increasingly popular.” Gu went on to say that a substantial number of grade A offices are now incorporating the air purification filter system into the air conditioning system at the building’s initial design stage.
For instance, Genesis Center located in the Lufthansa area, Emperor Group Center on Changan Street and scores of office buildings under construction in the eastern extension of the Beijing CBD have planned to install PM2.5 filter systems aiming to maintain interior air quality readings below 50 and even possibly down to single digit readings. “
“New office building projects have the opportunity to install PM2.5 filter systems at a far lower initial cost than the 100-200 rmb/sqm cost required to add the required equipment to existing buildings. The subsequent increase of operational cost will be within 10%. “A slight increase in cost will significantly enhance office air quality, enhancing appeal to both employees and companies.”, Director Gu further noted.
“We recognize the trend of office building developers increasing their focus on indoor air quality. In coming years, we expect this trend to escalate, witnessing more companies installing PM2.5 filter systems to support employee health and with air purification equipment continuing to emerge as a standard feature in middle and high-end office buildings. On the developer side of the equation, providing such features will enhance brand strength in the leasing and sales market, supporting office buildings in their effort to project greater appeal and value.” said Catherine Xiong, Senior Director, Project Management, CBRE China.
About CBRE Group, Inc.
CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBG), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Los Angeles, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (in terms of 2014 revenue). The Company has more than 70,000 employees (excluding affiliates), and serves real estate owners, investors and occupiers through more than 400 offices (excluding affiliates) worldwide. CBRE offers strategic advice and execution for property sales and leasing; corporate services; property, facilities and project management; mortgage banking; appraisal and valuation; development services; investment management; and research and consulting. Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.
