Creating a Healthier Customer

Learner Outcomes:

Module 1 – An Introduction to Healthy Homes Awareness for Building Professionals

In this module, we discuss the concept of the ‘indoor generation’, how the changing habits of society means we spend more time indoors and the health impact that is having.  This module examines the health impact and, as a result, the rising demand for clean indoor air. We will make the case that the construction industry needs to start talking more about people and not simply focus on products, sustainability and material science.

The learning objectives are

1. To understand the construction industry shift from ‘healthy products’ to ‘healthy people’
2. Comprehend the increasing importance the customer places on indoor air quality in their homes
3. Understand, as a building related professional, how indoor air quality has become so relevant right now
4. Make a case for placing health and wellness at the centre of the full building lifecycle

Module 2 – Medical Impact of Poor Indoor Air Quality

The dialogue between building professional and customer is changing.  It is vital for those in the construction industry to understand what it means to have healthy indoor air and how that is shaping customer demand.   Here we will explain why great looking buildings may not necessarily be healthy buildings and what we can do about it. 

The learning objectives are

1. How to make the link between a great building and a healthy building 
2. Understand how new environmental and social business models are steering investors and the impact this will have on construction projects
3. The opportunity of going ‘beyond code’ and becoming an indoor air specialist
4. Know the importance of language such as Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), IEQ, Building Related Illness (BRI), and  Indoor Environmental Quality.

Module 3 – Indoor Pathogens; including Coronavirus

In this module we delve into the statistics, medical language and how to talk to customers in a relatable way.  We learn about gasses, particles and biologicals and conduct basic conversations about these hazards.  Brief punchy videos not only to understand more about pathogens such as Coronavirus, but how to control the impact of pathogens within a building. 

The learning objectives are

1. Understand what is in our air in our homes and what can cause problems
2. Understand clean air terms in context with the construction industry – such as what a Pathogen is.
3. Learn how dangerous chemicals, biologicals and allergens get into the air and what keeps them there
4. Understand what an allergen is, such as ragweed, dust mites and other household air-borne allergens

Module 4 – What Are Asthma and Allergies?

Asthma and Allergies impact a staggering 50% of US households. Many indoor triggers are causing medical challenges. In this module we learn about the triggers of asthma and allergies within the home and how to talk about it.  We examine the lack of regulation in this area and the confusion this brings to home owners.  Finally we look at how to mitigate against these common allergens and have better, more productive conversations with your customers on this topic. 

The learning objectives are

1. The scale of the Asthma and Allergy challenge in the USA
2. Learn what happens during an asthma attack
3. Learn about the natural history of allergic diseases
4. Understand why a ‘whole house approach’ is needed to reduce the impact of asthma and allergies and how building with asthma and allergies in mind can vastly reduce the impact on sufferers 

Module 5 – In Home Triggers

In this module we take a fascinating ‘walk through’ of a typical house spotting common reservoirs of indoor triggers that can lead to poor air quality and negative health outcomes.  Learn the positive impacts of ventilation, source control and cleaning. Become an expert in spotting the potential triggers and help your customers build the best, healthiest, indoor environment possible.

The learning objectives are

1. A room-by-room guide to air-borne triggers that create negative health outcomes, including The importance of ventilation, source control and cleaning
2. Understand what rooms we find these triggers in, and other home features that impact indoor air quality
3. Develop a systematic approach to identifying, controlling, and even eliminating the sources of indoor pollutants and allergens.
4. Inhalation and triggers caused by: The material of the building envelope, decoration and room finishes, air handling and airflow, what we bring into the building, how to maintain a building   

Module 6 – How The Construction Industry is Responding

In this module we will tie together what we now know and introduce Construction Industry veteran, Gorde Cooke, to take us through the latest changes in domestic construction. Gord and John will bridge the gap, in practical way, to convert knowledge in to action.  Gord will review and present the newest trends, including ASHRAE 62.1 & 62.2 standards as well as EPA standards,  from the paradigm of healthy indoor air

The learning objectives are

1. Understand how current US Building Codes and Standards impact air quality in new homes
2. Identify and compare the elements of popular high performance construction programs such as the EPA Indoor AirPLus and LEED for Homes programs to the required elements for a “healthy people” focus.
3. Learn how applied building science helps ensure the same decisions made to improve air quality simultaneously improve comfort, durability and energy efficiency.
4. Identify the most cost effective best practice building enclosure opportunities to enhance indoor environmental quality; including the 4 key mechanical system enhancements to implement in new and existing homes.

Module 7 – The Commercial Opportunity

Knowledge alone is not power; we need to put what we know into action. In this module we bring together what we already know as building related professionals and our new knowledge around healthy buildings. Through practical use cases we learn how to build a better brand and customer centric value proposition, with regards to healthier home awareness. He takes us through a journey of how to activate what we’ve learned using frameworks, decision trees and models. 

The learning objectives are

1. Draw on use case stories to communicate the links between indoor environmental conditions and health and improves the lives of millions.
2. Understand how to win more customers by being more empathic and talking more confidently about the health impacts of buildings
3. Develop your own ‘Conversation starters and interview scripts’ on how to approach home; design, source control and maintenance
4. Reframe indoor environmental quality issues, such as Continuous Mechanical Ventilation, as an economic opportunity