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Sultan Z, Li J, Pantelic J, Schiavon S. Particle characterization in commercial buildings: A cross-sectional study in 40 offices in Singapore. Sci Total Environ 2024; 927:172126. [PMID: 38569949 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
There is a knowledge gap in understanding how existing office buildings are protecting occupants from exposure to particles from both indoor and outdoor sources. We report a cross-sectional study involving weekly measurements of size-resolved indoor and outdoor particle concentrations in forty commercial building offices in Singapore. The outdoor and indoor particles size distributions were single mode with daytime peak number concentrations at 36.5 nm and 48.7 nm. Outdoor concentrations were significantly greater than indoors for all particle diameters. Indoor particle concentrations were generally low due to: 1) relatively high indoor particle removal (IPR) rates; 2) low indoor source strengths; and 3) low indoor particle of outdoor proportion (IPOP). We found that the ventilation system type had a substantial effect on indoor particle levels, IPR and IPOP. Through linear mixed model analyses, we identified dependencies of IPR rates with the use of MERV13 filters in supply air and filter maintenance frequency, IPOP with the use of MERV13 filters in the fresh air and supply air ducts and low particle source strength with regular daily cleaning presumably due to dust reservoir removal. Lastly, the contribution of outdoor sources was mainly seen for ultrafine and fine particles but less pronounced for coarse particles. This study provided detailed understanding of particle exposure in building offices and their influencing factors, facilitating future research on health impact of particle exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuraimi Sultan
- Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore (BEARS) Limited, Singapore.
| | - Jiayu Li
- Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore (BEARS) Limited, Singapore; University of California Berkeley, Center for the Built Environment, USA
| | - Jovan Pantelic
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium; Well Living Lab, USA
| | - Stefano Schiavon
- Berkeley Education Alliance for Research in Singapore (BEARS) Limited, Singapore; University of California Berkeley, Center for the Built Environment, USA
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Kim S, Ryu J, Hong WH. Classification of thermal environment control indicators according to the thermal sensitivity of office occupants. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26038. [PMID: 38380047 PMCID: PMC10877350 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The control that have the greatest influence on comfortable in the office occupants are the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system operation and the thermal environment. However, comfortable HVAC operation is difficult in the office space characterized by a recommended standard thermal environment or a centralized HVAC system. To consider the occupant's thermal comfort to the greatest possible extent, must establish a method to quantify the variables related to the occupant's thermal comfort. This study aims to group occupants in Thermal sensation vote (TSV) clusters and perform sensitivity analysis (SA) on the relationship between thermal environmental factors in an office building and each cluster's TSV to establish the typology of the control indicators for each cluster. A total of 10 field experiments were conducted in the same office. This field study was carried out 2022. The indoor thermal environmental parameters, the subjective evaluation of the thermal comfort of the resident and the operation pattern of the heating system were monitored at the same time. A total of 4,200 datasets related to indoor thermal environmental parameters and a total of 1,680 datasets related to occupants' thermal comfort were collected and analyzed. The results of this study show that people have different levels of adaptability and sensitivity to a given thermal environment. This study founded distinguishable similarities in their thermal sensation traits and grouped similar TSV values into five clusters that responded differently to the same thermal environment. Each cluster showed different TSV and Thermal comfort vote (TCV) patterns, which allowed us to classify the groups that had sensitive responses to the thermal environment and those that did not. This study was determined different control indicators and guidelines for the divided groups according to thermal sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungkyung Kim
- Convergence Institute of Construction, Environmental and Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihye Ryu
- Convergence Institute of Construction, Environmental and Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Hwa Hong
- School of Architectural, Civil, Environmental and Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Republic of Korea
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Guo Y, Tang H, Gao Y, Wang Y, Meng X, Cai G, Zhao J, Dewancker BJ, Gao W. Thermal comfort and adaptive behaviors in office buildings: A pilot study in Turpan (China) during summer. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20646. [PMID: 37860505 PMCID: PMC10582317 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, evaporatively cooled office buildings commonly observed in dry hot areas in summer of China. However, few dedicated studies to record the local residents' thermal comfort and adaptability in these buildings. The contribution of adaptive comfort theory on thermal perception still remains unclear for optimizing office building design parameters. Hence, to deeper probe the adaptive thermal comfort of the related indoor environment, a field study of office buildings during summer considering evaporative cooling air conditioned (ECA) and naturally ventilated (NV) mode was conducted in Turpan, China. Based on 931 valid datasets collected from questionnaires, we found that the neutral temperature (Tn) of 28.4 °C in ECA group, 0.6 °C lower than NV group (29.0 °C). A lower air temperature (Ta) and higher humidity (RH)/air-velocity (Va) were expected in two modes, and Va has a stronger influence than RH on mean thermal sensation votes (MTSV). Meanwhile, occupants can adapt to current indoor environment through physiological, psychological and behavioral adjustments, while the clothing regulation had limited effect on MTSV unless the outdoor temperature exceeds 38 °C. Whether in ECA or NV mode, the predicted mean votes (PMV) model overestimated actual thermal sensation when operative temperature (Top) beyond 28 °C. Adaptive models were also proved varied from that in current standards, which indicated that they were not suitable for evaluating the studied buildings in Turpan. Above findings could suggest us a better understanding of the occupants' thermal adaptability, thereby providing the reference of design parameters revision and passive strategies for local newly/renovated buildings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuang Guo
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266033, China
- iSMART, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266033, China
| | - Hao Tang
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266033, China
| | - Yali Gao
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266033, China
| | - Yuxin Wang
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering, The University of Kitakyushu, Kitakyushu, 808-0135, Japan
| | - Xi Meng
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266033, China
- iSMART, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266033, China
| | - Gangwei Cai
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou, 310023, China
| | - Jingyuan Zhao
- School of Architecture, Chang'an University, Xi'an, 710061, China
| | - Bart Julien Dewancker
- Department of Architecture, The University of Kitakyushu, Kitakyushu, 808-0135, Japan
| | - Weijun Gao
- College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266033, China
- iSMART, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266033, China
- Department of Architecture, The University of Kitakyushu, Kitakyushu, 808-0135, Japan
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Hammes S, Weninger J. Measurement data on the window opening behavior and climate in a strongly daylit office building. Data Brief 2023; 46:108794. [PMID: 36569536 PMCID: PMC9772800 DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2022.108794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The long-term measurement data presented in this article result were collected in a strongly daylit office building under real working conditions and include temperature and wind speed of the outdoor situation as well as climatic variables of the indoor space, such as temperature and relative humidity. In addition to the measurement of environmental variables, the window opening behavior was also logged. The entire data acquisition was implemented via the building control system and was performed with a one-minute resolution. An exception to this is the recording of the window openings, which were logged on change of state. The measurement data obtained can be combined with other measurement data to provide an improved data basis for energy building simulations, prediction models and energy potential assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sascha Hammes
- Unit of Energy Efficient Building, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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Cortiços ND, Duarte CC. Energy efficiency in large office buildings post-COVID-19 in Europe's top five economies. Energy Sustain Dev 2022; 68:410-424. [PMID: 35494620 PMCID: PMC9040500 DOI: 10.1016/j.esd.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Since the World Health Organization announced the COVID-19 pandemic, indoor airflows became a synonym for virus super-spreaders and the focus point for the scientific community and professional associations across the globe, disrupting all daily life dimensions. Europe's quick response to control the disease led the REHVA board to address mitigation guidelines, reassessed by each member association's following national specifics. The present study aims to quantify the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of "large office" buildings in top-five European economies under the COVID-19 guidelines under the post-pandemic telework forecast. Methodology resorted to a standard model under Building Energy Simulation assessment to compare prior and posterior scenarios. The latter displays a tendency to increase energy and CO2 emissions in all locations, in the first form 10.18% (Rome) to 69.48% (Paris); and second 5.80% (Rome) and 120.61% (Paris), which will affect national energy production and imports, urban pollution and business competitiveness. On a different scope, future HVAC guidelines need to address the incoming figures, particularly in highly dense urban areas. Also, to comply with the goals set by the Paris Accord.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno D Cortiços
- Building Science, Technology and Sustainability Lab, Research Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Design, Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon, Rua Sá Nogueira, Pólo Universitário, Alto da Ajuda, 1349-063 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Carlos C Duarte
- Building Science, Technology and Sustainability Lab, Research Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Design, Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon, Rua Sá Nogueira, Pólo Universitário, Alto da Ajuda, 1349-063 Lisboa, Portugal
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Park JH, Cox-Ganser JM, White SK, Laney AS, Caulfield SM, Turner WA, Sumner AD, Kreiss K. Bacteria in a water-damaged building: associations of actinomycetes and non-tuberculous mycobacteria with respiratory health in occupants. Indoor Air 2017; 27:24-33. [PMID: 26717439 PMCID: PMC5035226 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
We examined microbial correlates of health outcomes in building occupants with a sarcoidosis cluster and excess asthma. We offered employees a questionnaire and pulmonary function testing and collected floor dust and liquid/sludge from drain tubing traps of heat pumps that were analyzed for various microbial agents. Forty-nine percent of participants reported any symptom reflecting possible granulomatous disease (shortness of breath on exertion, flu-like achiness, or fever and chills) weekly in the last 4 weeks. In multivariate regressions, thermophilic actinomycetes (median = 529 CFU/m2 ) in dust were associated with FEV1 /FVC [coefficient = -2.8 per interquartile range change, P = 0.02], percent predicted FEF25-75% (coefficient = -12.9, P = 0.01), and any granulomatous disease-like symptom [odds ratio (OR) = 3.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.45-6.73]. Mycobacteria (median = 658 CFU/m2 ) were positively associated with asthma symptoms (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 0.97-2.43). Composite score (median = 11.5) of total bacteria from heat pumps was negatively associated with asthma (0.8, 0.71-1.00) and positively associated with FEV1 /FVC (coefficient = 0.44, P = 0.095). Endotoxin (median score = 12.0) was negatively associated with two or more granulomatous disease-like symptoms (OR = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.67-0.98) and asthma (0.8, 0.67-0.96). Fungi or (1→3)-β-D-glucan in dust or heat pump traps was not associated with any health outcomes. Thermophilic actinomycetes and non-tuberculous mycobacteria may have played a role in the occupants' respiratory outcomes in this water-damaged building.
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Affiliation(s)
- J-H Park
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - J M Cox-Ganser
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - S K White
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - A S Laney
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Vermont Department of Health, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - S M Caulfield
- Turner Building Science & Design, LLC, Harrison, ME, USA
| | - W A Turner
- Turner Building Science & Design, LLC, Harrison, ME, USA
| | - A D Sumner
- Vermont Department of Health, Burlington, VT, USA
- University of Vermont Health Network Occupational Medicine, Berlin, VT, USA
| | - K Kreiss
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Bluyssen PM, Roda C, Mandin C, Fossati S, Carrer P, de Kluizenaar Y, Mihucz VG, de Oliveira Fernandes E, Bartzis J. Self-reported health and comfort in 'modern' office buildings: first results from the European OFFICAIR study. Indoor Air 2016; 26:298-317. [PMID: 25727348 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In the European research project OFFICAIR, a procedure was developed to determine associations between characteristics of European offices and health and comfort of office workers, through a checklist and a self-administered questionnaire including environmental, physiological, psychological, and social aspects. This procedure was applied in 167 office buildings in eight European countries (Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Finland) during the winter of 2011-2012. About 26 735 survey invitation e-mails were sent, and 7441 office workers were included in the survey. Among respondents who rated an overall comfort less than 4 (23%), 'noise (other than from building systems)', air 'too dry', and temperature 'too variable' were the main complaints selected. An increase of perceived control over indoor climate was positively associated with the perceived indoor environment quality. Almost one-third of office workers suffered from dry eyes and headache in the last 4 weeks. Physical building characteristics were associated with occupants' overall satisfaction (acoustical solutions, mold growth, complaints procedure, cleaning activities) and health (number of occupants, lack of operable windows, presence of carpet and cleaning activities). OFFICAIR project provides a useful database to identify stressors related to indoor environmental quality and office worker's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Bluyssen
- Section Climate Design, Department of Architectural Engineering & Technology, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - C Roda
- Section Climate Design, Department of Architectural Engineering & Technology, Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - C Mandin
- CSTB (Scientific and Technical Centre for Building), Marne-la-Vallée, France
| | - S Fossati
- "L. Sacco" Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - P Carrer
- "L. Sacco" Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Y de Kluizenaar
- Department of Urban Environment and Safety, TNO (The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research), Delft, The Netherlands
| | - V G Mihucz
- Cooperative Research Centre of Environmental Sciences, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - J Bartzis
- University of Western Macedonia, Kozani, Greece
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