Enhancing Indoor Air Quality and Regulatory Compliance: An In-Depth Comparative Study on Ventilation Strategies and Their Impact on SARS-CoV-2 Transmission Risk

Atefeh Abbaspour (), Ali Bahadori-Jahromi, Alan Janbey, Paulina B. Godfrey and Shiva Amirkhani
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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
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
Shiva Amirkhani: Sustainability and Climate Change, WSP, 6 Devonshire Square, London EC2M 4YE, UK

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-21

Abstract: Enclosed-space ventilation plays a pivotal role in enhancing indoor air quality (IAQ). Various regulations and guidelines determine minimum fresh air requirements, varying by the application, country, etc. The present study employs real-time indoor CO 2 measurements to calculate the actual air change rate (ACH) and models the building’s compliance with Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) guidelines to assess its impact on IAQ. The contaminant considered is the SARS-CoV-2 virus with multiple infectors, and the study calculates the virus’s transmission risk under different scenarios. Fresh air is assumed to be provided by mechanical or hybrid ventilation. The results reveal that the current building conditions are unacceptable, showing a significant gap from the recommended guideline rates. Meeting CIBSE recommendations ensures indoor air safety in terms of CO 2 concentration. However, in extreme conditions with five infectors, findings show a 14% reduction in mechanical ventilation efficacy. Among the hybrid ventilation scenarios, combining CIBSE rates with natural ventilation, with a 30% door and window opening from the class outset, proves most effective in reducing the virus’s transmission risk, with a 58–70% reduction from the building’s current condition. Furthermore, implementing supplementary measures like air cleaners resulted in an additional 28–50% reduction in transmission risk.

Keywords: hybrid ventilation; building regulations; CIBSE; indoor air quality; CONTAM; transmission risk; Wells–Riley equation (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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