scholarly journals Assessment of Indoor Air Quality in Residential Buildings of New England through Actual Data

2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 739
Author(s):  
Fernando del Ama Gonzalo ◽  
Matthew Griffin ◽  
Jacob Laskosky ◽  
Peter Yost ◽  
Roberto Alonso González-Lezcano
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
New England ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Improve Energy Efficiency ◽  
Sick Building ◽  
Concentration Levels

Several studies on indoor air quality (IAQ) and sick building syndromes have been completed over the last decade, especially in cold countries. Efforts to make homes airtight to improve energy efficiency have created buildings with low ventilation rates, resulting in the build-up of indoor pollutants to harmful levels that would be otherwise unacceptable outdoors. This paper analyzed the infiltration rates, indoor temperatures, and variations in CO2, 2.5 μm particulate matter (PM2.5), and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentrations over the fall of 2021 in several homes in New England, USA. A relationship between outdoor and indoor conditions and ventilation strategies has been set using the results from blower door tests and actual indoor air quality data. Although all case studies lacked mechanical ventilation devices, such as those required by ASHRAE Standard 62.2, natural ventilation and air leakage have been enough to keep VOCs and PM2.5 concentration levels at acceptable values most of the studied time. However, results revealed that 25% of a specific timeframe, the occupants have been exposed to concentration levels of CO2 above 1000 parts per million (ppm), which are considered potentially hazardous conditions.

scholarly journals Numerical Assessment of Seven Ventilation Systems for Social Residential Buildings based on Indoor Air Quality and Energy Consumption

2021 ◽  
Vol 2069 (1) ◽  
pp. 012181
Author(s):  
Guillaume Sérafin ◽  
Marc O. Abadie ◽  
Patrice Joubert
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Living Room ◽  
Internal Sources ◽  
Controlled Mechanical Systems ◽  
Ventilation Systems

Abstract This work presents a modelling approach for evaluating ventilation systems for their ability to provide good indoor air quality in dwellings. Infiltration and ventilation rates are defined by the conventional French 3CL-DPE standard. The case study is a two-bedroom apartment with a shared or separate kitchen and living room. Three natural ventilation options and four mechanical ventilation systems are compared with respect to exposure to PM2.5, NO2 and formaldehyde. Pollutant concentration levels are assessed in each room based on a scenario of daily occupancy, average annual outdoor concentrations and internal sources. The daily exposure of the occupants to the targeted substances allows the comparison of ventilation systems on the basis of the ULR-QAI index developed at LaSIE laboratory from La Rochelle University. For this case study, it results that controlled mechanical systems are much more efficient than natural ventilation systems, especially in the case of an open-plan kitchen.

scholarly journals Real-Time Monitoring of Indoor Air Quality with Internet of Things-Based E-Nose

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (16) ◽  
pp. 3435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Taştan ◽  
Hayrettin Gökozan
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Environmental Health ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Quality Data

Today, air pollution is the biggest environmental health problem in the world. Air pollution leads to adverse effects on human health, climate and ecosystems. Air is contaminated by toxic gases released by industry, vehicle emissions and the increased concentration of harmful gases and particulate matter in the atmosphere. Air pollution can cause many serious health problems such as respiratory, cardiovascular and skin diseases in humans. Nowadays, where air pollution has become the largest environmental health risk, the interest in monitoring air quality is increasing. Recently, mobile technologies, especially the Internet of Things, data and machine learning technologies have a positive impact on the way we manage our health. With the production of IoT-based portable air quality measuring devices and their widespread use, people can monitor the air quality in their living areas instantly. In this study, e-nose, a real-time mobile air quality monitoring system with various air parameters such as CO2, CO, PM10, NO2 temperature and humidity, is proposed. The proposed e-nose is produced with an open source, low cost, easy installation and do-it-yourself approach. The air quality data measured by the GP2Y1010AU, MH-Z14, MICS-4514 and DHT22 sensor array can be monitored via the 32-bit ESP32 Wi-Fi controller and the mobile interface developed by the Blynk IoT platform, and the received data are recorded in a cloud server. Following evaluation of results obtained from the indoor measurements, it was shown that a decrease of indoor air quality was influenced by the number of people in the house and natural emissions due to activities such as sleeping, cleaning and cooking. However, it is observed that even daily manual natural ventilation has a significant improving effect on air quality.

scholarly journals A Review of Performance Specifications and Studies of Trickle Vents

Buildings ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmet Biler ◽  
Aslihan Unlu Tavil ◽  
Yuehong Su ◽  
Naghman Khan
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Control Strategies ◽  
Sick Building Syndrome ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Performance Specifications ◽  
Sick Building

The air quality of indoor spaces is the most significant parameter in providing a healthy living environment. Low indoor air quality (IAQ) leads to Sick Building Syndrome—one of the major reasons for labor loss in office buildings. The fundamental measure to ensure indoor air quality is ventilation, which includes two basic types: mechanical ventilation and natural ventilation. Natural ventilation is an exchange of stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air by means of a pressure difference due to wind and/or stack effect. Trickle Vents, known also as background ventilators, are natural ventilation devices which can be integrated into façades or window systems as an alternative to operable vents, specifically in high-rise buildings. The major design criteria of Trickle Vents are ventilation capacity, controllability, actuation, thermal insulation, air permeability, water tightness, climatic adaptation, security, and acoustic attenuation. Other important parameters in Trickle Vents design are positioning, equivalent area, and control strategy. This paper aims to review all these aspects, particularly with reference to building regulations and commercial products. Furthermore, simulation, experimental, monitoring, and survey studies of Trickle Vents are also discussed. This literature review is presented from the perspective of performance parameters, control strategies, positioning, etc., with an aim to provide a comprehensive overview of such technology.

scholarly journals Pengaruh Ventilasi Alami Terhadap Sick Building Syndrome

Arsitektura ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 211
Author(s):  
Fisa Savanti ◽  
Gagoek Hardiman ◽  
Erni Setyowati
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Sick Building Syndrome ◽  
Air Conditioner ◽  
Waiting Room ◽  
Air Change Rate ◽  
Sick Building ◽  
Quantitative Descriptive

<p><em>The number of buildings that use air conditioner (AC), causing a lack of air change rate from the outside into the room or vice versa that can reduce indoor air quality. A bad indoor air quality is often give rise to complaints on its occupants called the "Sick Building Syndrome" (SBS). The presence of ventilation is expected to improve air quality and increase user comfort and wellness rooms. Therefore, the research on the influence of natural ventilation against sick building syndrome (SBS) is needed. This research was conducted with quantitative-descriptive methods with direct measurements of temperature, humidity and vloumetric air flow rate on samples of objects namely RSND clinic waiting room on the 2nd floor. As for analysis is carried out descriptively based on recommended standards. The purpose of doing this research is to know the influence of natural ventilation to the indoor air quality towards sick buiding syndrome. The result of this research show that the temperature, humidity and the clean air needs of the room doesn’t meet the standarts, meanwhile the air change per hour meet the standarts on some spots. So, there is some influence of the use of natural ventilation that can improve the indoor air quality which is relating to sick building syndrome.</em></p>

scholarly journals The Improvement of Indoor Air Quality in Residential Buildings in Dubai, UAE

Buildings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 250
Author(s):  
Chuloh Jung ◽  
Jihad Awad
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Radon Gas ◽  
Volatile Organic ◽  
Residential Projects

Due to unprecedented urbanization, UAE had built many new residential projects with poor choices of material and ventilation. This social phenomenon is leading UAE to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) faster than any other countries. The Dubai Municipality regulates the indoor air quality with strict stipulation, but the detailed regulations are still insufficient. The objective of this paper is to measure the indoor air quality of new residential projects in Dubai to suggest the improvement of the regulations for indoor air quality. As a methodology, a field survey was conducted to investigate the status of indoor air pollution in residential buildings. Based on the field survey data, lab experiments for building materials were conducted and a computer simulation on radon gas was conducted. The result had shown that radon gas was mainly detected in new townhouses and labor camp houses, and its concentration was found to exceed the standard. Volatile organic solvents (VOCs) and formaldehyde (CH2O) were mainly detected in showhouses and new townhouses, and the concentration distribution was about 10 times higher than that of outdoors. It was proven that emission concentration of radon gas from various building materials were detected, and the order was red clay, gypsum board, and concrete. Volatile organic solvents (VOCs) are mainly detected in oil paints and PVC floor and the radiation amount of all pollutants increased with temperature increase. In computer simulation, it was found that a new townhouse needs a grace period from 20 days to 6 months to lower the radon gas concentration by 2 pCi/L. This study will serve as a basic data to establish more detailed regulation for the building materials and improve the IAQ standards in Dubai.

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.

The impact of mechanical ventilation operation strategies on indoor CO2 concentration and air exchange rates in residential buildings

2020 ◽  
pp. 1420326X2096076
Author(s):  
Pedro F. Pereira ◽  
Nuno M. M. Ramos
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Exchange Rates ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Ventilation Strategy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Mechanical Extraction ◽  
Air Exchange

In Portugal, residential buildings commonly have their ventilation strategy changed after commissioning. This occurs due to the building managers' willingness to reduce shared costs with the electricity needed for fan operation. However, this option is not technically supported, and the effects of such a strategy on indoor air quality-related to human pollutants are yet to be quantified. CO2 was monitored in 15 bedrooms and air exchange rates were calculated for each room. The air exchange rate values ranged from 0.18 to 0.53 h−1 when mechanical extraction ventilation was off, and from 0.45 to 0.90 h−1 when mechanical extraction ventilation was on, which represents an average increase of 119%. With the current intermittent ventilation strategy, all rooms remain above 1500 ppm for a given percentage of time, and 12 rooms presenting CO2 concentrations above 2000 ppm. Simulations of theoretical CO2 concentrations, for a non-interrupted mechanical ventilation strategy show that no rooms would accumulate CO2 concentrations above 2000 ppm, and only 25% would present CO2 concentrations above 1500 ppm. Pearson correlations between the monitored CO2 and human and spatial factors identified two relevant parameters. Those parameters correspond to ratios between CO2 generation and floor area ([Formula: see text]), and airflow with CO2 generation ([Formula: see text]). The proposed ratios could be used as ways to optimise ventilation costs and indoor air quality.

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