scholarly journals Monitoring and Assessment of Indoor Environmental Conditions after the Implementation of COVID-19-Based Ventilation Strategies in an Educational Building in Southern Spain

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 7223
Author(s):  
Antonio J. Aguilar ◽  
María L. de la Hoz-Torres ◽  
Mª Dolores Martínez-Aires ◽  
Diego P. Ruiz
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Quality Level ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Acoustic Environment ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Ventilation Strategies ◽  
Ventilation Rates

Since students and teachers spend much of their time in educational buildings, it is critical to provide good levels of indoor environmental quality (IEQ). The current COVID-19 pandemic has shown that maintaining a good indoor air quality level is an effective measure to control the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This study used sensors to monitor key IEQ factors and assess several natural ventilation scenarios in a classroom of the University of Granada. Subsequently, the IEQ factors (temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration, acoustic environment, and air velocity) were evaluated for the selected ventilation scenarios in the occupied classroom, and the field monitoring was carried out in two different assessment periods, winter and summer. The obtained results show that the CO2 concentration levels were well below the recommended limits. However, the maintenance of the recommended thermal and acoustic IEQ factors was significantly affected by the natural ventilation strategies (temperature and relative humidity values were very close to the outside values, and the background sound pressure level was over 35 dBA during the entire assessment). The proper measurements and careful selection of the appropriate ventilation scenarios become of utmost importance to ensure that the ventilation rates required by the health authorities are achieved.

scholarly journals Investigation of a Ventilation System for Energy Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality in a Renovated Historical Building: A Case Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (21) ◽  
pp. 4133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Nagy ◽  
Ľudmila Mečiarová ◽  
Silvia Vilčeková ◽  
Eva Krídlová Burdová ◽  
Danica Košičanová
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Ventilation System ◽  
Sick Building Syndrome ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Historical Building ◽  
The Mean

This paper emphasizes the importance of environmental protection regarding the reduction of energy consumption while maintaining living standards. The aim of the research is to observe the effects of mechanical and natural ventilation on energy consumption and building operation as well as indoor environmental quality (IEQ). The results of indoor environmental quality testing show that the mean relative humidity (31%) is in the permissible range (30%–70%); the mean CO2 concentration (1050.5 ppm) is above the recommended value of 1000 ppm according to Pettenkofer; and the mean PM10 concentration (43.5 µg/m3) is under the limit value of 50 µg/m3. A very large positive correlation is found between relative humidity and concentration of CO2 as well as between the concentration of PM5 and the concentration of CO2. The most commonly occurring sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms are found to be fatigue and the feeling of a heavy head.

scholarly journals Analysis of Impact of Natural Ventilation Strategies in Ventilation Rates and Indoor Environmental Acoustics Using Sensor Measurement Data in Educational Buildings

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 6122
Author(s):  
María L. de la Hoz-Torres ◽  
Antonio J. Aguilar ◽  
Diego P. Ruiz ◽  
María Dolores Martínez-Aires
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Acoustic Environment ◽  
Educational Buildings ◽  
Ventilation Strategies ◽  
Ventilation Rates

Indoor environmental conditions can significantly affect occupants’ health and comfort. These conditions are especially important in educational buildings, where students, teachers and staff spend long periods of the day and are vulnerable to these factors. Recently, indoor air quality has been a focus of attention to ensure that disease transmission in these spaces is minimised. In order to increase the knowledge in this field, experimental tests have been carried out to characterise the impact of natural ventilation strategies on indoor air quality and the acoustic environment. This study has evaluated three ventilation scenarios in four different classrooms in buildings of the University of Granada, considering different window and door opening configurations. Ventilation rates were estimated using the CO2 Decay Method, and background noise recordings were made in each classroom for acoustic tests. Results show that specific natural ventilation strategies have a relevant impact that is worth considering on the background noise in indoor spaces. In this sense ventilation rates provided by the different configurations varied between 3.7 and 39.8 air changes per hour (ACH) and the acoustic tests show a background noise ranging from 43 to 54 dBA in these scenarios. Consequently, managers and teachers should take into account not only the ACH, but also other collateral impacts on the indoor environmental conditions such as the thermal comfort or the acoustic environment.

scholarly journals Natural Ventilation Characterization in a Classroom under Different Scenarios

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5425
Author(s):  
Sergio A. Chillon ◽  
Mikel Millan ◽  
Iñigo Aramendia ◽  
Unai Fernandez-Gamiz ◽  
Ekaitz Zulueta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Particle Diameter ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Median Particle Diameter ◽  
Surgical Masks ◽  
Computer Classroom ◽  
Median Particle ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

The COVID-19 pandemic has pointed to the need to increase our knowledge in fields related to human breathing. In the present study, temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, and median particle size diameter measurements were taken into account. These parameters were analyzed in a computer classroom with 15 subjects during a normal 90-minute class; all the subjects wore surgical masks. For measurements, Arduino YUN, Arduino UNO, and APS-3321 devices were used. Natural ventilation efficiency was checked in two different ventilation scenarios: only windows open and windows and doors open. The results show how ventilation affects the temperature, CO2 concentration, and median particle diameter size parameters. By contrast, the relative humidity depends more on the outdoor meteorological conditions. Both ventilation scenarios tend to create the same room conditions in terms of temperature, humidity, CO2 concentration, and particle size. Additionally, the evolution of CO2 concentration as well as the particle size distribution along the time was studied. Finally, the particulate matter (PM2.5) was investigated together with particle concentration. Both parameters showed a similar trend during the time of the experiments.

scholarly journals Indoor environmental quality in non-residential buildings - experimental investigation

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (suppl. 5) ◽  
pp. 1521-1529
Author(s):  
Tamara Bajc ◽  
Maja Todorovic ◽  
Agis Papadopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Process Equipment ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Ashrae Standards ◽  
The Impact

This paper presents the part of the research that has been done at the Universities both in Belgrade and Thessaloniki, Greece, taking into account indoor environmental quality in office buildings and classrooms. The measurements that are presented were done in Process Equipment Design Laboratory at Aristotle University Thessaloniki, during March 2015. Indoor environmental quality regarding air temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 concentration in two representative offices is observed. The similar offices are located one on the north-east and the other one on the south-west side of the University building, so as to be representative of the orientation?s impact. Furthermore, the impact of natural ventilation on CO2 concentration and temperature is monitored, together with the offices? occupancy. Recommended parameters for indoor air quality are compared and discussed on the base of several standards: SRPS EN 15251:2010, ASHRAE standards 55 and 62.1, and ISO 7730. The main objectives, as set from these standards are discussed, together with the investigation results.

scholarly journals Study of natural ventilation in a Gothic multi-tunnel greenhouse designed to produce rose (Rosa spp.) in the high-Andean tropic

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edwin Andres Villagran Munar ◽  
Carlos Ricardo Bojaca Aldana
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Simulated Data ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Methodological Development ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Ventilation Efficiency ◽  
Ventilation Rates ◽  
Productive Development

In tropical regions the production of ornamentals is developed exclusively in naturally ventilated plastic greenhouses, which sometimes leads to inappropriate microclimates with high temperatures and humidity that limit the productive development of plants. The aim of this work was to study air flows, temperature distribution and relative humidity inside an alternative greenhouse designed to produce rose (Rosa spp.). Three configurations of ventilation, side ventilation (SV), roof ventilation (RC) and combined roof and side ventilation (RSV) were analyzed. The methodological development was based on the use of a previously validated CFD-2D numerical simulation model, which showed an adequate fit between the measured and simulated data, obtaining MAE and RMSE values for temperature and relative humidity of 0.44 and 0.47 °C, 3.99% and 4.04% respectively. The results obtained for the predominant climatic conditions of the study region showed that the highest ventilation rates were obtained for RSV, with values of 0.044 and 0.182 m3 m-2s-1, this ventilation efficiency propitiated the generation of a homogeneous microclimate, with temperature and relative humidity values adequate to produce rose (Rosa spp).

scholarly journals Indoor Air Quality and Sustainability Management—Case Study in Three Portuguese Healthcare Units

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Fonseca ◽  
Isabel Abreu ◽  
Maria Guerreiro ◽  
Cristina Abreu ◽  
Ricardo Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
June July ◽  
Management Case Study

Adequate management of indoor air quality (IAQ) in healthcare units has relevant impacts on sustainability performance due to its effects on patient safety, occupational health and safety, and energy consumptions. This study sought to identify improvement opportunities on IAQ management by collecting and analyzing experimental data of selected parameters in three healthcare units in Portugal: Two general hospitals and one primary healthcare center. Indoor air temperature, relative humidity, CO2, bacteria, and fungi concentrations were measured in summer and winter campaigns in June/July 2017 and in January/March 2018. Results show that the exclusive use of natural ventilation is not adequate when the affluence of users is high, but the analyzed parameters revealed acceptable results under low occupation intensity conditions. Results also show that keeping low indoor air relative humidity has a significant impact in reducing fungi concentration and that there is a significant correlation at the 0.05 level between indoor air CO2 concentration and bacterial loads. Therefore, as opportunities to improve sustainability, IAQ management in healthcare facilities should consider natural ventilation as a complement to mechanical ventilation systems and should focus on adequate control of indoor air relative humidity and CO2 concentration to reduce the risk of airborne infections.

scholarly journals The Effect Of Outside Corridor’s Orientation to Interior Thermal Condition at Lawang Sewu Semarang.

2018 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 01011
Author(s):  
Benediktus Yosef Arya Wastunimpuna ◽  
Wahyu Setia Budi ◽  
Erni Setyowati
Keyword(s):  
Heat Stress ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Thermal Condition ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Standard Theory ◽  
Hot Wire ◽  
Air Movement ◽  
Dutch Colonial

The outside corridor of Dutch Colonial Building in Indonesia was made to make the temperature of the room more comfortable. Lawang Sewu Building in Semarang is one example of a building that has an outside corridor along the building and until now still use natural ventilation. This study focuses on finding out whether there is a difference on the thermal conditions of each room’s orientation, so after that we know the effect of orientation of the outdoor corridor to the temperature of the interior. In this study the experiment based on measurement using Heat Stress WBGT Meter for Wet Bulb Temperature, Dry Bulb Temperature, Relative Humidity, and KW0600653 Hot Wire Anemometer for the air movement. The data will be analysed using thermal standard theory to find out which point has the most comfortable thermal conditions.. At the end of this study will be found the effect of corridor’s orientation to thermal condition of the interior in Lawang Sewu Semarang.

scholarly journals Effects of Climatic Conditions, Season and Environmental Factors on CO2 Concentrations in Naturally Ventilated Primary Schools in Chile

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4139
Author(s):  
Muriel Diaz ◽  
Mario Cools ◽  
Maureen Trebilcock ◽  
Beatriz Piderit-Moreno ◽  
Shady Attia
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Co2 Concentrations ◽  
The Impact

Between the ages of 6 and 18, children spend between 30 and 42 h a week at school, mostly indoors, where indoor environmental quality is usually deficient and does not favor learning. The difficulty of delivering indoor air quality (IAQ) in learning facilities is related to high occupancy rates and low interaction levels with windows. In non-industrialized countries, as in the cases presented, most classrooms have no mechanical ventilation, due to energy poverty and lack of normative requirements. This fact heavily impacts the indoor air quality and students’ learning outcomes. The aim of the paper is to identify the factors that determine acceptable CO2 concentrations. Therefore, it studies air quality in free-running and naturally ventilated primary schools in Chile, aiming to identify the impact of contextual, occupant, and building design factors, using CO2 concentration as a proxy for IAQ. The monitoring of CO2, temperature, and humidity revealed that indoor air CO2 concentration is above 1400 ppm most of the time, with peaks of 5000 ppm during the day, especially in winter. The statistical analysis indicates that CO2 is dependent on climate, seasonality, and indoor temperature, while it is independent of outside temperature in heated classrooms. The odds of having acceptable concentrations of CO2 are bigger when indoor temperatures are high, and there is a need to ventilate for cooling.

scholarly journals Thermal Performance of Single-Story Air-Welled Terraced House in Malaysia: A Field Measurement Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 201
Author(s):  
Pau Chung Leng ◽  
Gabriel Hoh Teck Ling ◽  
Mohd Hamdan Ahmad ◽  
Dilshan Remaz Ossen ◽  
Eeydzah Aminudin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Field Measurement ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature ◽  
Natural Lighting ◽  
Ventilation Performance ◽  
Globe Temperature

The provision requirement of 10% openings of the total floor area stated in the Uniform Building By-Law 1984 Malaysia is essential for natural lighting and ventilation purposes. However, focusing on natural ventilation, the effectiveness of thermal performance in landed residential buildings has never been empirically measured and proven, as most of the research emphasized simulation modeling lacking sufficient empirical validation. Therefore, this paper drawing on field measurement investigates natural ventilation performance in terraced housing with an air-well system. The key concern as to what extent the current air-well system serving as a ventilator is effective to provide better thermal performance is to be addressed. By adopting an existing single-story air-welled terrace house, indoor environmental conditions and thermal performance were monitored and measured using HOBO U12 air temperature and humidity, the HOBO U12 anemometer, and the Delta Ohm HD32.3 Wet Bulb Globe Temperature meter for a six-month duration. The results show that the air temperature of the air well ranged from 27.48 °C to 30.92 °C, with a mean relative humidity of 72.67% to 79.25%. The mean air temperature for a test room (single-sided ventilation room) ranged from 28.04 °C to 30.92 °C, with a relative humidity of 70.16% to 76.00%. These empirical findings are of importance, offering novel policy insights and suggestions. Since the minimum provision of 10% openings has been revealed to be less effective to provide desirable thermal performance and comfort, mandatory compliance with and the necessity of the bylaw requirement should be revisited.

scholarly journals Window operation behaviour and indoor air quality during lockdown: A monitoring-based simulation-assisted study in London

2021 ◽  
pp. 014362442110177
Author(s):  
Farhang Tahmasebi ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Elizabeth Cooper ◽  
Daniel Godoy Shimizu ◽  
Samuel Stamp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Probabilistic Models ◽  
Performance Model ◽  
Outdoor Environment ◽  
Ventilation Strategies ◽  
The Impact

The Covid-19 outbreak has resulted in new patterns of home occupancy, the implications of which for indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy use are not well-known. In this context, the present study investigates 8 flats in London to uncover if during a lockdown, (a) IAQ in the monitored flats deteriorated, (b) the patterns of window operation by occupants changed, and (c) more effective ventilation patterns could enhance IAQ without significant increases in heating energy demand. To this end, one-year’s worth of monitored data on indoor and outdoor environment along with occupant use of windows has been used to analyse the impact of lockdown on IAQ and infer probabilistic models of window operation behaviour. Moreover, using on-site CO2 data, monitored occupancy and operation of windows, the team has calibrated a thermal performance model of one of the flats to investigate the implications of alternative ventilation strategies. The results suggest that despite the extended occupancy during lockdown, occupants relied less on natural ventilation, which led to an increase of median CO2 concentration by up to 300 ppm. However, simple natural ventilation patterns or use of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery proves to be very effective to maintain acceptable IAQ. Practical application: This study provides evidence on the deterioration of indoor air quality resulting from homeworking during imposed lockdowns. It also tests and recommends specific ventilation strategies to maintain acceptable indoor air quality at home despite the extended occupancy hours.

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