03 Indoor environmental quality and pollutant treatments - TC

Introduction
Attributes of IEQ
- IEQ Prerequisites
- Indoor Air Quality
- Ventilation
- Thermal Comfort
- Lighting Quality
- Acoustics and Noise
- Hygiene
- Security
- Building Amenities
Indoor Pollutant Treatments
- Mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning system
- Architectural design and occupation
- Selection of building/furnishing materials
- Other related areas
Concluding Remarks

IEQ refers to the quality of the indoor environment in which people live and work.
In Hong Kong, a subtropical city with a high population density (30,000 – 50,000 people/km²), around 85% of our lifetime is spent indoors.
Poor indoor environments in commercial and institutional buildings can negatively impact productivity.

Minimum Ventilation Performance:
- Essential for maintaining air quality and occupant comfort by regulating the supply of outdoor air.
- Controls odors and indoor pollutants such as total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs).
Indoor Air Quality:
- Defined by the concentrations of various contaminants in the air.
- ASHRAE defines acceptable indoor air quality as having no known contaminants at harmful concentrations, with high satisfaction among occupants.

Duration of Exposure:
- Differences in pollutant exposure are affected by the duration (minutes to workdays) and the location (offices, classrooms).
Pollutant Sources:
- Sources include outdoor pollutants, building materials, and occupant activities.
- Evaluation and control are recommended via the IAQ Certification Scheme.

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS):
- Symptoms such as eye irritation, flu-like symptoms, and headaches primarily appear in air-conditioned buildings and may dissipate once a person leaves.
Building Related Illnesses (BRI):
- Clinically diagnosed illnesses strongly linked to indoor pollutants, including allergic reactions and infectious diseases.

Outdoor Air Intakes:
- Essential to position intakes in clean air locations and filter outdoor air to maintain indoor air quality.
Air Filters:
- Various filter types categorized by particle size and efficiency ratings, including MERV and HEPA filters.
Exhaust Ventilation:
- Used to efficiently remove contaminants from specific areas like kitchens and toilets.

Ensures the building envelope avoids moisture entrapment and maintains positive air pressure by using effective sealing techniques.
Recommendations for post-construction purging and increased ventilation during the initial occupation period.

Preference for low-emitting natural materials and strict checks on manmade alternatives to control VOC emissions, specifically formaldehyde.

Renovation Controls:
- Isolation of renovation zones, maintaining negative pressure, and ensuring effective post-renovation ventilation.
Pest Control Procedures:
- Following industry guidelines for non-intrusive pest management and ensuring proper ventilation post-treatment.

Focus on sustainable urbanization requires a balance between good quality indoor environments and maintaining a low carbon footprint.
Energy consumption is an inherent part of achieving satisfactory IEQ, necessitating renewable energy solutions to minimize environmental impact.

End of Presentation