Multi-Zonal Analysis of Indoor Air Quality in a Higher Educational Building in the UK

Atefeh Abbaspour (), Ali Bahadori-Jahromi, Shiva Amirkhani, Alan Janbey, Paulina B. Godfrey, Hooman Tahayori and Jacek Piechowicz
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Atefeh Abbaspour: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, London W5 5RF, UK
Ali Bahadori-Jahromi: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, London W5 5RF, UK
Shiva Amirkhani: Sustainability and Climate Change, WSP, 6 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4YE, UK
Alan Janbey: Research Department, London College, London TW5 9QX, UK
Paulina B. Godfrey: Energy and Environment, Engineering Operations EMEA, Hilton, Maple Court, Reeds Crescent, Watford WD24 4QQ, UK
Hooman Tahayori: Department of Computer Science and Engineering and IT, Shiraz University, Shiraz P.O. Box 71348-14336, Iran
Jacek Piechowicz: Research Department, London College, London TW5 9QX, UK

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-19

Abstract: This study focuses on the indoor air quality (IAQ) in a higher educational building, the London College in the UK. In this regard, indoor CO 2 levels, as well as three contaminants with detrimental effects on human health: NO 2 , PM 2.5 , and SARS-CoV-2, are investigated. Various IAQ enhancement strategies are analyzed, including increased ventilation, background ventilation, improved airflow through opened doors, and the use of HEPA air cleaners. Results revealed that background ventilation and open doors during occupied periods reduced CO 2 concentrations to around 1000 ppm. However, the effectiveness of background ventilation was influenced by outdoor conditions, such as wind speed and direction. The most effective method for reducing PM 2.5 levels was installing an air cleaner alongside a commercial kitchen hood, resulting in a 15% greater reduction compared to background ventilation. To control the SARS-CoV-2 level, combining background ventilation or opening the doors with a 16,000 m 3 /h ventilation rate or using an air cleaner with baseline ventilation resulted in a basic reproductive number below 1. Overall, the research highlights the importance of background ventilation and open doors in enclosed spaces without operable windows for natural airflow. Additionally, the effectiveness of air purifiers in reducing particle and biological contaminant concentrations is demonstrated, providing valuable insights for improving IAQ in educational buildings.

Keywords: indoor air quality; CONTAM; background ventilation; indoor contaminants; HEPA filter; SARS-CoV-2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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