Indoor environmental quality

[edit] Introduction

With people generally spending more time indoors, and buildings being more tightly constructed and isolated from the external environment, a greater importance is being placed on the indoor environment.

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is a general indicator of the quality of conditions inside a building. It can also include functional aspects of space, for example whether the layout provides access to equipment when needed and whether the building has sufficient space for its occupants.

A better indoor environmental quality can enhance the wellbeing of building occupants and help decrease the occurrence of sick building syndrome and building related illness. It can also lead to a decrease in worker complaints and absenteeism which in turn can improve productivity.

[edit] Factors influencing indoor environmental quality

The indoor building environment is complex and there are a variety of factors that can influence its environmental quality.

• Airborne contaminants (gases and particles) from; office equipment, cleaning products, construction activities, furnishings and carpets, water-damaged building materials, microbial growth (fungal, bacterial and mould), outdoor pollutants, and so on.
• Indoor air quality.
• Ventilation.
• Humidity.
• Thermal comfort.
• Daylight, lighting and views.
• Electromagnetic frequency levels.
• Acoustic conditions.

[edit] Optimal indoor environmental quality design

In order to optimise indoor environmental quality, the design and development process should:

• Ensure good quality design, construction, commissioning, operating and maintenance practices.
• Consider aesthetic designs including the importance of views and the integration of natural elements.
• Provide thermal comfort controls for occupants where possible.
• Supply adequate levels and quality of ventilation.
• Prevent airborne bacteria, mould and other fungi through a design that manages moisture sources inside and outside the building.
• Use building products that do not emit pollutants.
• Use sound absorbing/insulating materials to help create optimal acoustic levels.

[edit] Building management to improve indoor environmental quality

There are a number of ways that the indoor environmental quality of existing buildings can be improved, including:

• Using fragrance-free and low VOC (volatile organic compounds) cleaning products.
• Undertaking audits of cleaning products and devising a cleaning plan to replace products with safer alternatives.
• Vacuuming regularly and using vacuums with HEPA (High-efficiency particulate arrestance) filters.
• Ensuring that HVAC equipment is well maintained and working optimally.
• Creating a door and window opening protocol to maintain sufficient air flow.
• Avoiding dust blowing equipment such as leaf blowers and diesel-powered engine equipment.
• When using pesticides, fertilisers and lime applications, ensuring there is little or no wind.
• Maintaining buildings and furnishings to a high standard reducing the need for renovation and remodelling.
• Ensuring filters in HVAC systems are properly maintained.
• Optimising lighting.

[edit] Find out more

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.

• Air change rates.
• Air quality.
• BS ISO 17772 - Indoor environmental quality.
• Building related illness.
• Furnishings.
• Health and wellbeing impacts of natural and artificial lighting.
• Indoor air quality.
• Lighting and health infographic.
• Sick building syndrome.
• TG10 2016 At a glance, wellbeing.
• TSI Environmental dust monitoring system.
• Use of lighting to improve health and wellbeing.
• Ventilation.
• Wellbeing.