Sick Building Syndrome refers to a facility exposing occupants to harmful or uncomfortable environments, often due to issues with ventilation or HVAC systems. Common indicators of sick building syndrome include drafts, hot/cold spots, condensation, odors, and poor smoke capture from cooking equipment. To achieve a balanced building, one should check for complaints from occupants, ensure HVAC equipment is running properly, verify positive pressure and smoke capture, inspect cleanliness and condition of HVAC components, and call in an expert to rebalance the HVAC system if issues are found.

1. Sick Building Syndrome
Sick Building Syndrome is the term to describe a facility that is exposing occupants to harmful conditions or
uncomfortable environments; most often resulting from poor ventilation or errors in HVAC functionality.
Sick Building Indicators
1. Incoming draft at front door
2. Hot or cold spots in dining room
3. Condensation on ceiling diffusers
4. Slippery floors
5. Mold
6. Hard to open doors
7. Stuffy or stale air
8. Grease odors
9. Sewer odors
10. Cold food at pass-through
11. Poor smoke capture
12. Hot cook line
13. Water heater back drafting
14. Insects and dirt
15. High energy costs
Achieving a Balanced Building
1. Ask the Restaurant
• What are their complaints?
2. Turn on All HVAC Equipment
• Verify thermostats set to fan ON
3. Check Building Pressure
• Verify positive pressure at front door
4. Observe Smoke Capture
• Verify proper hood overhang
• Verify no drafts exist along the cook line
5. Check for Comfort
6. Inspect the Room
• Verify HVAC equipment filters are clean
• Verify belts are in good condition
• Verify EF fan wheels are clean
7. Call Melink to Rebalance HVAC