Chapter 8 Indoor Environmental Quality

Chapter 8: Indoor Environmental Quality

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is turning out to be one of the most solid columns in sustainable architecture or green building design (GBC), as more cutting-edge buildings are designed for performance and energy efficiency. There's also been an incrementally pressing demand to concentrate on occupants' comfort, health, and productivity. This chapter gives an in-depth view of a variety of factors shaping IEQ and their precise resolution/standards.

8.1 Introduction

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is not a concept that is purely based on any user's aesthetic or subjective preference, nor functionality of a space; it is an appraisal of the environmental factors that affect a person’s health, comfort, and well-being. It is particularly focused on factors linked with ventilation - IAQ, air movement - thermal comfort, and visual factors, and particularly how they impact cognitive function, mood, and productivity.

Up until a decade or so ago, buildings were designed predominantly to achieve physical safety and operational efficiency, with an aesthetic layer applied over the top in the form of a color scheme. The 'invisible' world of the indoor environment was given less priority and was relatively low on the list of concerns.

However, in the past 15 years (from about 2000), with the green building movement, attention shifted significantly to the potential of IEQ for energy reduction. Programs like LEED and WELL were quite significantly the major drivers of contemporary green building reform, and the idea that buildings should be designed to support a land ethic, that there is a broader moral obligation to both human health and well-being through the places we make.

8.2 Components of Indoor Environmental Quality

IEQ isn't a single factor but a collection of factors and covariates that make up the broad scope of the real experience of the overall quality indoor environment for the inhabitants. Indoor environmental air (IAQ) is often regarded as the most vital aspect of IEQ, given its direct link to human respiration and potential for creating a range of health issues both short – and long-term if not correctly managed.

Thermal Comfort

This term refers to how comfortable we feel indoors based on temperature —it can be too cool, too warm, or just nice. It involves many related factors that include

• Temperature
• Humidity
• Air movement
• Clothing Insulation

Indoor air quality is a measure of the pollutants present inside buildings. It is the cleanliness and chemical composition of the indoor air.

Heat and Thermal Comfort

• Relative Humidity
• Air Temperature
• Radiant Heat Exchange
• Air Flow

Factors include clothing, age and weight, and humidity.

Types of Thermal Comfort

1. Air temperature

2. Relative air velocity

3. Mean radiant temperature

4. Air temperature

5. Humidity or moisture in the air

High humidity makes warm air feel hotter

Low humidity causes dryness and discomfort

6. Air movement: Naturally or mechanically induced movement of air can improve comfort by promoting evaporation and spreading heat.

Personal Factors

•Insulation of clothing-All fabrics and clothing constructions can provide protection from cold through layering, which helps to hold in heat, or conversely, by a few layers of clothing easy to move freely.

•Metabolic rate- The rate at which the body uses energy.

•Size of the body

8.3 Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

If indoor air pollution is high, occupants can develop symptoms like blurring of vision, headaches, dizziness, or respiratory irritation, which are symptoms connected to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS).

Sources of indoor pollution

Indoor air quality can be affected by VOCs emitted from paints, adhesives, or pesticides. Formaldehyde is found in furniture and pressed wood products. Biological pollutants include bacteria and mold spores, carbon dioxide (CO ), and carbon monoxide (CO ) from combustion sources and poor ventilation.

Improving IAQ

There are various methods by which Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) can be enhanced:

• Use of low-emitting materials:

Requiring materials that have received LOW VOC emission certifications in turn reduces the toxins that affect IAQ.

• Ventilation:

Mechanical ventilation (HVAC) and natural ventilation (windows, atriums) can be used in addition to bring fresh air inside and dilute particulates.

• High-Efficiency Filtration:

HEPA filters, which capture and neutralize airborne particulates, and UV technology-based air purifiers can help reduce potential pathogen transmission.

• Moisture Control:

Preventing water intrusion and collecting water where it shouldn’t be, reducing the potential for mold growth—a major IAQ problem as well.

IEQ must be prioritized during both the design and management/operation phases of the life cycle of a building in order to make it stronger.

8.4 Thermal Comfort

Thermal comfort is an individual's response to the temperature, humidity, and airflow in a given environment. It also refers to the state where a person feels neither too cold nor too hot; it is subjective but scientifically measurable.

Building Systems

Both passive strategies and efficient heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can help regulate temperatures.

• Properly Sized System:

HVAC systems should be correctly zoned to provide balanced heating and cooling.

• Passive Measures:

Insulation is one of the most effective ways of maintaining even and comfortable temperatures in a building. Solar shading and low thermal mass solutions which can act as moderators to moderate the internal temperature over time.

• Adaptive comfort:

Allowing occupant to control their environment through fans and windows, and local controls activating comfort-inducing strategies.

• Smart Controls:

Upgraded thermostats and building automation systems can learn usage patterns and automatically adjust temperatures to maximize comfort.

Thermal comfort is necessary for productivity in workspaces, educational institutes, and can even impact the healing process of patients in healthcare facilities.

8.5 Lighting Quality

Lighting, both natural and artificial, has both visual and non-visual effects. It regulates our circadian rhythms and influences how healthy and alert we are during the day.

Daylighting

•Provides task-appropriate illumination levels

•Increases well-being and alertness

•Perceptions of brightness and control are better

Artificial Lighting

Artificial lighting also has an important role to play in aiding tasks and ensuring comfort

Types of Lighting Control

There are various types of lighting control systems that can make dynamic adjustments in accordance with the users' need and even the amount of natural light in the room.

• Occupational sensors:

Their main purpose is to control the lighting in accordance with the occupancy of humans in the present environment.

• Daylight sensors:

It can adjust indoor lighting according to the amount of available natural light.

• Dimmable ballasts and drivers:

This can help you reduce light intensity.

Companies such as Magnitude, Bio spherical Series, and Fluence by OSRAM offer lighting systems designed to efficiently reduce blue light exposure in different environments.

• Zoned lighting

is a concept that offers flexibility in designing lighting systems for multi-use areas, so you can have both task lighting for one space and ambient lighting for another in the same room.

When designing your lighting system there is a goal - to not strain your eyes so much, to not tokenize affect you so much but also to improve your mood and make you healthier.

8.5.1 Daylighting: The Benefits of Daylighting

Daylighting at Atrium

•Low Energy Consumption

•Person Psychological Well–Being

•Quality of Interior.

The following strategies can be used to maximize daylighting

•The orientation and configuration of windows and skylights

•Use of light shelves and reflective surfaces in the room

•Avoidance of glare through the proper design of shading devices. From standard lighting and mechanical systems to improvements in daylighting and heating control systems, lighting systems can ensure optimum visual conditions

8.6 Material Selection and Finishes

The choice of materials in construction and interior design has a profound effect on the quality of the interior environment. They define the look and feel of a space, its indoor air quality, acoustics, and thermal performance, and more.

Setting the Stage for Success Materials & Finishes

One of the greatest concerns in material choice is using low-emission materials, avoiding products that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other toxic chemicals. It is advisable to inquire where the product originates so that you can check its environmental claims. Sites like Courage or Dominoes "Materials Largest Home Store" might provide information about material origin and sustainability policies.

Many green certification schemes recognize the use of environmentally certified products that adhere to rigorous performance and emission levels. Being informed is often a matter of scrupulously choosing bathroom and paint-related chemicals—including adhesives, caulk, flooring, furniture, lighting, and low-VOC paint—and inquiring about whether or not the manufacturer has had to pay the full costs of environmental pollution in the past.

Floor coverings, interior finishes on walls, paints, adhesives, and furniture are all key elements influencing Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). Selecting products with well-known eco-friendly certifications like

GREENGUARD and Floor Score support a healthier, more sustainable indoor environment.

8.7 Role of Building Systems

Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems are crucial for controlling indoor environmental qualities. Such equipment should be both well-designed and used sustainably, especially when it comes to maintaining temperature for comfort in buildings without huge resource consumption.

• HVAC Systems:

Mechanical systems should provide adequate outdoor air (ventilation), heating, and cooling in small areas.? Implement sensors with automation with respect to maintaining temperature/humidity levels.

• Lighting Systems

Use energy-efficient (or adaptive) lighting—including LEDs, daylight sensors, and smart switches.

• Plumbing Systems

Plumbing systems are essential for leaks, and poor drainage can lead to humidity problems and mold.

• Building Automation Systems (BAS)

Allow monitoring and control of all IEQ parameters in one place. Information that is analyzed can help improve the efficiency and response time for HVAC and lighting systems.

MEP systems are the "hidden heroes" of indoor comfort and sustainability.

8.8 Building Design Strategies

Design strategies are a core consideration in IEQ in green buildings. They can prevent many issues later in operation if we are thoughtful in our planning in the stage of Design.

Strategies for Enhancing IEQ

• Building orientation and layout:

These determine natural ventilation and daylighting access.

• Zoning:

Develop different areas on the basis of function and usage patterns to enable personalized comfort settings.

• Flexible design

Spaces and systems must be flexible to accommodate future shifts in occupancy or usage

Designers need to account for user activity, building usage patterns, and local climate when creating IEQ plans

8.9 Standards and Certifications

To create a more consistent level of performance, organizations have established certification systems that offer metrics on IEQ and guidelines explaining how to improve it.

Air Quality Standards

• ASHRAE 62.1

It focuses on ventilation and acceptable indoor air quality

• ASHRAE 55

It defines thermal environmental conditions for human occupancy

Green Building Certifications

LEED:

Give points to features that improve IEQ (increased ventilation, low-emitting materials, daylighting, thermal comfort, etc.)

WELL Building Standard (WELL)

It is focused specifically on the concept of occupant health and wellness as governed by seven categories:

• Air
• Water
• Nourishment
• Light
• Fitness
• Comfort
• Mind

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method)

• Provides a full framework to evaluate environmental performance
  

IGBC (Indian Green Building Council)

A framework other than LEED gives the best practice that helps to improve IEQ in green building design. These certifications act as yardsticks for property developers, architects, and building engineers working towards creating healthier, structured environments.

8.10 Conclusion

Indoor Environment Quality is a broad aspect of sustainable building design that has a considerable impact in terms of human health, well-being, and performance. Buildings, as well as the demand for health and well-being, of their utilization. The team there is of interest to owners, architects, and engineers. The statement is not up-to-date, however: Indoor Environmental Quality is non-negotiable. It is a new, indispensable mandate for responsible architecture. “To ensure that buildings are structures that support and even improve the health of the people in them, it is necessary to holistically consider issues of air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, and noise.”