Thermal Comfort and Health Conditions in Air-Conditioned Offices in a Warm and Sub-Humid Climate (original) (raw)
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Environment International, 1989
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Horizon Research Publishing(HRPUB), 2021
A tropical hot humid climate provides high humidity that influences the occupant's comfort. This study highlights a comparison of physical measurements and perceptions related to thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and sick building syndrome (SBS) in tropical humid climate buildings. The research method used ASHRAE 2017 and analysis using SPSS 24 by two analytical models, i.e., Model 1 and Model 2. The Model 1 included measurement data of independent variables T, RH, V, and CO₂, and SBS dependent variable, while the Model 2 used perception data of independent variables T, RH, V, and QA, and SBS dependent variable. The study found the conditions were unsuitable with ASHRAE 2017, however, the new SBS index model for the hot-humid tropic has been established. The average temperature was 29.4-31.3ᵒC, the perception of 'neutral' was responded by 50.6% of all respondents, 36.7% stated 'warm' and 7.6% stated 'hot'. The average relative humidity was between 77-82.4%, but about 50.6% of respondents declared 'neutral', only 8.9% declared 'slightly damp', and 2.5% stated 'damp'. The test results showed Model 2 performed the cyclical effect on SBS, in contrast, Model 1 had no significant effect on SBS because of the varied adaptation of occupants.
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Building and Environment, 2004
The problems associated with the in uence of the heating environment and quality of air on people in an o ce environment are discussed. The mechanical and natural ventilated buildings are analyzed in light of the hypothesis that the appearance of health conditions associated with sick building syndrome are in uenced in a statistically signiÿcant manner by the method of ventilation. Research was based on the measurement of parameters in the given indoor environment and a simultaneous survey of those employed. The survey questions dealt with elements of the indoor environment, health status and health problems of those surveyed for the 6 months prior to the research, as well as their current state of health. Deviations were veriÿed using the predicted mean vote (PMV)-predicted percent of dissatisÿed (PPD) model (PMV-PDD), as well as the measured state and the subjective evaluation of those surveyed. The subjectively stated reasons for the health problems of employees gave precedence to natural, as opposed to mechanical, ventilation, which is conÿrmed by the average absenteeism from work for health reasons (i.e. the index of health). Suitable analytical methods were used to analyze the data. The ÿndings from the study indicate a signiÿcant role for the psychological state and psychological factors of the respondents when subjectively describing the indoor environment. ?
Journal of Forensic Medicine, 2020
High rates of Sick Building Syndrome in other countries where pollution levels are far lower than Indonesia,it is suspected that Sick Building Syndrome in Indonesia is already worrying and that pollution levels are veryhigh. This syndrome can cause respiratory infections and can worsen people with asthma and allergies due todirty air. The main objective of this study is to analyze the relationship of temperature and humidity in airconditioned rooms to the emergence of Sick Building Syndrome in UPT PSMB-LT Surabaya. This researchis a descriptive study using an observational and approach cross-sectional. The population in this studywere all employees who worked at UPT PSMB-LT Surabaya, as many as 35 people, using Non-ProbabilitySampling namely techniques, total sampling. Data collection is done by interview and observation. Datawill be processed and presented in the form of frequency tabulation and described using a contingencycoefficient test. The results of this study indicate that ...
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Thirty female subjects were exposed for 280 minutes to four conditions in balanced order of presentation: to 20°C/40%, 23°C/50%, 26°C/60% RH at10 L/s/p outside air, and to 20°C/40% RH at 3.5 L/s/p. They performed simulated office work throughout each exposure and repeatedly marked a set of visual-analogue scales to indicate their perception of environmental conditions and of the intensity of SBS symptoms at the time. They were repeatedly reminded to adjust their clothing so as to remain in thermal comfort, and succeeded in doing so. Although perceived air quality improved at lower indoor air temperature and humidity and at the higher ventilation rate, this could not be shown to be associated with any effects on task performance. However, subjects reported significantly more intense SBS symptoms associated with decreased productivity, including fatigue, headache and difficulty in thinking clearly, when they were exposed to raised levels of temperature and humidity. INDEX TERMS Temper...
Influence of Indoor Climate on Employees in Office Buildings—A Case Study
Sustainability
The presented research work is aimed at investigation of the influence of indoor environmental conditions on employees in office buildings. Monitoring of carbon dioxide, temperature, relative humidity and pulse, as well as subjective evaluation, was carried out in three office rooms where air conditioning systems ensured the required amount of fresh air. Investigation showed that in two offices (A and B), the amount of fresh air did not comply with EN 15251:2017. The concentration of CO2 in office A was above 1000 ppm for 72% of the total length of stay. Respondents confirmed fatigue and headaches. In offices A and B, where CO2 concentration was around 1000 ppm, people with a weight of up to 70 kg experienced a significant increase in air temperature as well as odor. Persons with weight higher than 75 kg experienced a slight decrease in air quality. In office C, where CO2 concentration was around 800 ppm, respondents reported a slight decrease in air quality. According to pulse moni...
Indoor Thermal Comfort Assessment In Office Buildings In Hot-Humid Climate
2021
This paper aims to assess the user's perception of thermal comfort and air conditioning in office buildings in Batu Pahat, Johor area. Field experiments were conducted utilizing environmental measurement and Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) in Batu Pahat District Land Office (Pejabat Daerah) and (C2 and ORICC) office buildings in the Universiti Tun Hussien Onn Malaysia (UTHM). The environmental measurement was conducted using thermal comfort station BABUC A, whereas the POE was based on the ASHRAE55-2010 standard. The environmental parameters included relative humidity, air temperature, and air velocity. They were measured and compared with MS-1525, ASHRAE 55, and ISO 7730 standards. Results indicated that indoor air temperature in C2 has good compliance with MS-1525, ASHRAE 55, and ISO 7730 standards and criteria with a measured comfort range of 24 °C-26 °C. Whereas for ORICC and Pejabat Daerah, temperatures were a bit lower than the suggested range. At the same time, the range of relative humidity was found to be higher than ASHRAE limits but complied with other standards. Moreover, adequate air velocity standards were not met in the three office buildings, in which they were measured within 0.4-0.5 m/s range. Furthermore, thermal comfort levels and the POE survey results indicated that users' in hot tropical office buildings could acclimate to a higher indoor environment than what was suggested by standards.
Energy and Buildings, 2021
This study evaluates the influence of environmental variables on users' thermal comfort and air quality perception in the humid subtropical climate of Florianópolis, southern Brazil. A building with central air-conditioning system and three mixed-mode buildings, which alternated between natural ventilation and air-conditioning modes, were investigated. Statistical analyses were performed considering environmental data collected in situ between 2014 and 2016using microclimate stations, a portable thermo-anemometer and a CO2 analyserand users' subjective responses obtained by means of an electronic questionnaire. Results showed a direct influence of air temperature and humidity ratio and indirect influence of air movement on thermal comfort. In addition, thermal, air movement and humidity sensation, preference and acceptability affected thermal comfort and air quality perception, highlighting the importance of carrying out a complete assessment of users' perception of the thermal environment. This work supports the use of the ASHRAE 55 adaptive thermal comfort model for mixed-mode buildings under natural ventilation operation. Based on the results obtained in this study, the use of hybrid ventilation strategy is recommended for energy savings due to reducing the use of air-conditioning and improving indoor air quality as there is a decrease in air pollutants level.