by Brianna Crandall — February 22, 2021 — Columbia Property Trust just announced that it is installing new bipolar ionization (BPI) air purification technology in properties across its portfolio to enhance overall indoor environment quality (IEQ) for building occupants. The initiative is part of Columbia’s comprehensive, long-term approach to providing safe and healthy workspaces.
Columbia has chosen to work with AtmosAir Solutions and Otis Elevator Company, respectively, to install technology that delivers BPI protection at more than 20 buildings and in over 100 elevator cabs across its portfolio. Installations began in late 2020, and the majority are scheduled to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2021.
According to Columbia, bipolar ionization technology is designed to safely provide continuous active disinfection in the air and on surfaces. A unique benefit of these BPI systems is that they clean the air directly within indoor spaces, instead of requiring contaminants to pass through a separate air handler unit to be removed.
As a result, BPI air purification systems can be installed in a building’s air handling units as well as in small, contained spaces such as individual elevator cabs, helping to address a key point of concern today for many occupants of multistory office buildings.
In tests performed by Microchem Laboratory, a preeminent laboratory for testing EPA- and FDA-registered sanitizing products, BPI technology quickly and significantly reduced airborne bacteria and viruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes Covid-19, by more than 99% within 30 minutes.
Installing BPI technology is part of Columbia’s Work Safe program, which includes expanded cleaning and safety protocols, enhanced touchless entry systems, a digital occupancy-tracking tool, and extensive tenant communication and team member training.
Nelson Mills, Columbia’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), stated:
With many companies signaling an expected return to their workspaces in the months ahead, Columbia has committed substantial resources and implemented numerous measures to provide for their employees’ safe and comfortable return to the office. We view BPI technology not only as a response to the current health emergency, but also as an integral part of our longer-term commitment to the wellbeing of our tenants and employees.
AtmosAir bipolar ionization technology (BPI) has been confirmed by independent testing laboratories to remove dust and mold spores effectively. AtmosAir is also an all-natural solution, and its systems are said to produce no harmful ozone or other toxic byproducts. The company also guarantees energy savings.
Columbia Property Trust owns, operates and develops Class-A office buildings in New York, San Francisco, Boston and Washington, DC. The Columbia team is deeply experienced in transactions, asset management and repositioning, leasing, development, and property management. It employs these competencies to grow value across its portfolio of 15 properties, four properties under development, and more than 8 million square feet under management.
