Abstract/Summary

Poor air quality (IAQ) and thermal discomfort in indoor environment have significant influence on people’s work efficiency and health in offices, especially in newly built buildings, which have higher concentration of air contaminants. This aim of this study is to evaluate the level of IAQ and thermal comfort in newly built offices and provide some suggestions for future improvement. Post occupancy evaluation (POE) was conducted in offices in a new building by physical measurement and subjective survey. The measurements were performed for 24 hours in one week in each office. Experiments consisted in measuring the indoor environment parameters such as air temperature, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration and Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) concentration, particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10). Meanwhile, questionnaires were made to evaluate the occupants’ thermal sensation. In this paper, the influence of ventilation by windows and door was investigated as well. The results revealed the humidity was relative lower than recommended level in these offices. Humidification measures are needed. The questionnaires shown that the occupants feel the room temperature is relative higher. In addition, 21% of occupants presented high dissatisfaction percentage. The result of this study revealed the air quality as the major issue in indoor environment in the newly built case study building. The CO2 level was over 1000ppm during the occupied period. The average value of VOCs and TVOC were exceed the limit level without ventilation in the third and fourth months since occupied, while dramatically reduced to almost zero in May. The PM2.5 and PM10 level were low in these cases. Thus, adequate ventilation is necessary in new building within the first year after construction.