B060 Office IAQ benchmarks

Feasibility study on benchmarking indoor air quality (IAQ) of air-conditioned offices in Hong Kong

Brief:

Indoor activities are a big part of modern life. Decision-makers are obliged to optimize resources for IAQ monitoring to proactively safeguard the well-being of building occupants. An easy and practical IAQ labeling system using a simple ‘IAQ Index’ was proposed in this study for benchmarking IAQ in typical air-conditioned offices in Hong Kong. Notably, the IAQ index was determined from the average fractional dose to certain exposure limits of three selected representative indoor air pollutants, namely carbon dioxide, respirable suspended particulates and total volatile organic compounds. Feasibility of using the IAQ Index was examined through regional investigations of 525 offices, which were categorized into groups of ‘Excellent’, ‘Good’ or ‘Unclassified’ IAQ using the existing comprehensive assessment. Results showed that IAQ benchmarks with the proposed index could distinguish offices of different IAQ as identified by comprehensive assessment and be a good representation of relative IAQ in air-conditioned offices of Hong Kong.

Further Information:

Mui KW, Wong LT, Hui PS, 2008. Feasibility study on benchmarking indoor air quality (IAQ) of air-conditioned offices in Hong Kong, CIBW070 International Conference in Facilities Management-Healthy and Creative Facilities, 16-18 Jun, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK. pp. 217-223.