Papers by Keyword: Indoor Environment

Abstract: Photocatalyst is a material that can not only generate clean energy for the environment but can also be used in various applications such as antibacterial and antifouling properties. In this study, we compared the photocatalytic performance of titanium dioxide under indoor conditions by adjusting the amount of tin oxide attached to it. The amount of tin oxide deposited can be varied by adjusting the hydrothermal synthesis time. Appropriate tin oxide deposition recorded higher performance than excessive tin oxide deposition in both the yeast antimicrobial test and the water-splitting power generation test.

Abstract: People spend most of their time in various indoor spaces and their health is exposed to different kinds of air pollutants. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) belong to a group of chemical substances polluting the indoor environment. They come into the interior of buildings mainly from internal sources in the form of building materials, flooring, composite wood products, adhesives and other consumer products. Their presence in indoor air is monitored, due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic effects on human health. Many studies of indoor environment contaminated by VOC have been published during the last years. The present study provides general overview of the occurrence and emission sources of VOCs in the indoor environment of different types of buildings. The most frequently monitored indoor organic pollutants in terms of their occurrence and health risk are BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes), terpenes (α-pinene and d-limonene) and aldehydes (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde). Their concentrations in different indoor environments are variable and depend on factors such as emission characteristics of sources, microclimatic and ventilation conditions. Formaldehyde and toluene levels increased significantly with increasing room temperature. Benzene enters the indoor environment of buildings from external sources, especially from traffic or industrial areas. Formaldehyde, α-pinene and d-limonene originate from indoor sources as a part of building materials, furniture and household products.

Abstract: This study aims to carry out an experimental investigation of particulate matter (PM) concentrations, temperature, humidity and air velocity. Košice - Krásna is located in the south-eastern part of the city of Kosice on both sides of the river Hornád. Locality Na Hore II is a residential area that was under construction during the monitoring period. This study also investigates the relationship between various fractions of particulate matter (PM_0.5, PM₁, PM_2.5, PM₅ and PM₁₀) in outdoor and indoor environment. Indoor mean concentration of PM_2.5 was 3.92 μg/m³ and outdoor mean concentration of PM_2.5 was 15.41 μg/m³. An indoor mean concentration of PM₁₀ was 13.77 μg/m³ and outdoor mean concentration of PM₁₀ was 38.34 μg/m³. Permissible value for indoor PM₁₀ (50 μg/m³) was exceeded. I/O ratio were <1 for all fractions of particulate matters.

Abstract: A quality aspect of buildings pertains to their disposition to provide their inhabitants with effective means of indoor environmental control. Most buildings incorporate a number of elements and devices meant to influence indoor environmental conditions (i.e., windows, blinds, luminaires, radiators, fans). Inhabitants may be provided with different interfaces to operate these devices. In contrast to some other aspects of building performance (e.g., energy efficiency), there is a lack of systematic procedures for objective evaluation of buildings' indoor environmental control devices and their human interfaces. The present contribution entails some general thoughts on the path toward definition and implementation of such procedures.

Abstract: Mixing and displacement air distribution are the main ventilation principles applied in both residential and non-residential buildings. Recently, personalized ventilation when the fresh air is delivered directly to the occupants at a high ventilation effectiveness has become an alternative. Despite of this fact, little research has been carried out to quantify the energy saving potential of personalized ventilation. This study aimed to quantify the effect of ventilation effectiveness and control strategy on the energy performance and thermal comfort for an open plan office equipped by different types of ventilation systems, including mixing ventilation with constant air volume, demand control ventilation and personalized ventilation. A model was created in a program for dynamic energy simulations TRNSYS, representing one floor of a typical office building divided into four zones with different orientations and a core. Space heating and cooling were provided by ceiling fancoil units recirculating the room air, thus the tasks of ventilation and air conditioning were provided by two separate systems. The potential of personalized ventilation to save energy for fans and for the heating coil of the ventilation system presented about 70% compared to constant air volume mixing ventilation, however, the overall saving was only 20% when also the energy demand for space heating was considered. The energy benefit of demand control ventilation and personalized ventilation depends on the energy need for space heating and cooling, system configuration and operation, and occupancy.

Abstract: In tropical climates, the solar radiation absorption of glazed windows results in overheated indoor environments and increased cooling energy loads during daytime. Meanwhile, situations differ during nighttime. The present study focuses on the effects of glazing type on the indoor temperature in high-rise residential buildings in the hot and humid climate of Malaysia. The primary objective of this study is to assess the effects of six glazing types on the indoor air temperature of the base case room oriented toward the southwest with a Window Wall Ratio WWR of 45% under both ventilated and unventilated conditions. The effects during daytime and nighttime are investigated separately. A computerized simulation tool (Virtual Environment by Integrated Environmental Solutions) is used to conduct the investigation. Penang is selected as the empirical background location of a hot and humid climate. The study found that reflective double glazing exhibits lower indoor air temperature throughout the day regardless of the ventilation condition, with an optimum improvement of up to 107% and 14% in unventilated and ventilated rooms, respectively, compared with single clear glazing. The study recommends the use of reflective single or double glass in regions with a hot and humid climate similar to that of Malaysia.

Abstract: The research focused on the analysis of the interaction of the individual components of the system operationally efficient building – indoor environment quality – user has been conducted since 2014 in the Czech Republic by a team of College of Banking (BIVŠ) employees. The purpose of the research is the evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of operationally efficient buildings by their owners, users or facility managers. One of the most monitored research parameters is the rating of indoor environment quality and its influence in physical and psychological fitness and work performance of the building users. Next, there are also other relationships which are examined – as the importance of the indoor environment quality with regards to other building's parameters, its influence of the estate market value and the users' willingness to participate on the creation and keeping of indoor environment quality. The interpretation of gathered data proved a significant difference of the individual users' demands in relation to their individual preferences. This fact is necessary to respect while design and managing the operationally efficient buildings.

Abstract: The paper is oriented on the indoor environment influenced by radiant effect of floor heating. Questionnaire survey has showed problems with providing quality of indoor climate in new office building in Bratislava. The cause of problems was formation of local thermal discomfort, in particular mainly radiant asymmetry. To clarify the radiant asymmetry, there were carried out experimental measurements with thermal manikin in a special microclimatic laboratory for the radiant floor heating. The scientific analysis and the outputs from measurements are presented in this paper. In the conclusion of this paper are introduced principals for designing the offices’ interiors without local thermal discomfort.

Abstract: The number of patients in psychiatric facilities in Slovakia is increasing. Internal environment and appropriate architectural design of the building interior largely affects the health status and course of treatment of patients with psychiatric diagnoses such as depression and seasonal affective disorder. Specialized residential care facilities in Slovakia are often in poor technical conditions and internal environment often does not support therapeutic process, while in some cases it might work even contradictory. Consequence of the absence of standards or/and design guidelines for psychiatric hospitals is visible renovation of existing buildings, as well as in the construction of new facilities. In the process of preparation of architectural guidelines it is essential to summarize the findings of the doctors and other related professionals working in mentioned environments and based on their incentives to specify requirements the architectural or technical design of the space for the psychiatric patients. This article summarizes results based on interviews in five psychiatric clinics in Slovakia and Czech Republic.

Abstract: The paper analyzes the microbial constituents residing in buildings with more people, such as basic school or office spaces. The aim is to determine whether these areas with similar equipment and similar cleaning regime have similar parameters of microbial environment. Within the quantitative analysis we have carried out the collection of microbial particles dispersed in the air and deposited on floors, furniture and walls inequalities. It was found that the internal environment of buildings with natural ventilation is significantly on the condition of ambient air. In the environment of greater occupancy there are more bacteria than fungi. Rooms in the same building, but not directly neighbouring, have an independent environment.