Dynamic lighting systems in psychogeriatric care facilities in the Netherlands: A quantitative and qualitative analysis of stakeholders' responses and applied technology
Long-term care facilities are currently installing dynamic lighting systems with the aim to improve the well-being and behaviour of residents with dementia. The aim of this study was to investigate the implementation of dynamic lighting systems from the perspective of stakeholders and the performance of the technology. Therefore, a questionnaire survey was conducted with the management and care professionals of six care facilities. Moreover, light measurements were conducted in order to describe the exposure of residents to lighting. The results showed that the main reason for purchasing dynamic lighting systems lied in th...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 22, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Aarts, M. P. J., Aries, M. B. C., Straathof, J., Hoof, J. v. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Effect of wall colour on the perception of classrooms
The objective of this research was to assess the effects of three different colours on the interior wall surfaces of classrooms on the perceptual performance of male students, taking into account of their class distinctions. A semantic differential scale composed of 11 bipolar adjectives was applied in order for students of the Incirli Vocational High School, Ankara, Turkey, to evaluate photographs of classrooms with cream, blue and pink wall surfaces. According to the results, spaces with blue walls were perceived to be more positively compared to cream or pink coloured spaces. In addition, it was determined that 9th grad...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 22, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Yildirim, K., Cagatay, K., Ayalp, N. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Exploratory study of the indoor and outdoor relationships and chemical compositions of particulate matter in urban households in Colombo
This study provides valuable information on chemical profile of particulates in Colombo which will definitely contribute to the formulation of environmental policy, especially on air pollution control in the future. (Source: Indoor and Built Environment)
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 22, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Ranasinghe, R. S. A., Sugathapala, A. G. T., Lee, S. C., Hung, W. T., Ho, K. F., Chan, C. S., Huang, Y., Cheng, Y. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Simulated comparative investigation of the daylight and airflow of the conventional Egyptian shutter 'sheesh' and a proposed latticework device 'new mashrabiyya'
Most urban and, recently, rural households in Egypt live in apartment buildings. Their facades typically consist of openings equipped with glass panels and wooden louvred shutters, known as sheesh. Although it blocks direct sunlight and ensures privacy, sheesh impedes entry of needed air and daylight and obstructs the view. In previous studies, a preliminary proposal concerning the replacement of the conventional sheesh has been presented. This paper reports the investigation that compared the daylight and airflow performances of the sheesh and the proposed latticework device (new mashrabiyya). A simulated comparative inve...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 22, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Gelil M., N. A., Badawy, N. M. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
What are indoor air quality priorities for energy-efficient buildings?
(Source: Indoor and Built Environment)
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - July 22, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Wargocki, P. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
Experimental investigation and modelling of human-walking-induced particle resuspension
Long-term exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) indoors can cause adverse health effects to the occupants. Such exposure can be influenced by human-walking-induced particle resuspension (HWIPR). Several factors affecting HWIPR were investigated experimentally. The resuspension rates during walking were calculated based on the mass balance model, and the power law was applied to fit the resuspension rate data. The resuspension rate was further normalized for investigating the effects of various factors on HWIPR. It was found that the normalized resuspension rate of PM10 was about 2.5 times that of PM2.5 for both carp...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - June 15, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: You, S., Wan, M. P. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Glazing daylighting performance and Trombe wall thermal performance of a modular facade system in four different Portuguese cities
The need to reduce energy consumption in buildings leads to the development of new façade systems that can be energy efficient; thus, contributing significantly to heat transfer between outdoor and indoor spaces. Here, the versatility and flexibility of the modules are key attributes. For this purpose, this study focused on the thermal performance of Trombe walls and glazings and the glazing daylighting performance of a modular façade system in four different Portuguese cities. Computational simulations for the thermal performance of different arrangements of the modules were accomplished with the DesignBuild...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - June 15, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Sacht, H. M., Braganca, L., Almeida, M., Caram, R. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Experimental research on physiological response of elderly with cardiovascular disease during heat wave period
The fact that the environment and human beings interact with each other has been known for centuries. In the present study, elderly’s heart rate (HR) and blood pressure response to indoor thermal comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ) were investigated. Indoor thermal comfort was characterized by Humidex, IAQ by CO2 concentrations. The results show that HR increase which is a prognostic factor for cardiovascular mortality is related to an increase of heat burden and low air quality. Meanwhile blood pressure would decrease as physiological response to these conditions. Our study demonstrates that common impact of heat b...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - June 15, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Fink, R., Eržen, I., Medved, S., Kastelec, D. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Urban heat island in Padua, Italy: Experimental and theoretical analysis
This paper reports the study of the urban heat island (UHI) phenomenon in Padua, a medium size city in the North-East of Italy, one of the most industrialized and developed parts of the country. Data recorded by two fixed meteorological stations (in the centre and out of Padua) during the period 1994–2011 were analysed, showing some increase in the UHI effect during this period. Experimental measurements were carried out during 2012 summer. The main thermo-hygrometric variables (dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity and global solar radiation) were measured by a mobile survey along an exact path, selected in order ...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - June 15, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Noro, M., Busato, F., Lazzarin, R. M. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Brightness perception of white LED lights with different correlated colour temperatures
This study aim to identify subjective brightness perception of young healthy female and male students being exposed to different CCT conditions of LED lights in lecture room environment. To measure brightness perception, three subjective evaluations were conducted. First, brightness perception in different CCTs was compared under single CCT LED lights. Second, a single CCT of LED light was compared to the same CCT under mixed CCTs. Third, different mixing methods for a particular CCT were applied to mixed CCTs of LED lights. The results of the first test showed that the subjects perceived the environmental space to be brig...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - June 15, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Kim, I.-T., Jang, I.-H., Choi, A.-S., Sung, M. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Use of mean skin temperature in evaluation of individual thermal comfort for a person in a sleeping posture under steady thermal environment
A new model to evaluate individual thermal comfort using mean skin temperature was proposed. Twenty-two subjects’ local skin temperatures were measured in a sleeping posture at air temperatures of 21℃, 24℃, 26℃ and 29℃. Mean skin temperatures were calculated using a formula with 10 measuring locations on the skin. The thermal comfort levels and thermal sensation of the subjects were also investigated by questionnaire. Based on the experimental data, an evaluation model of an individual’s thermal comfort using mean skin temperature was developed using the Mahalanobis distance discrimi...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - June 15, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Liu, W., Lian, Z., Deng, Q. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Strategies for reduction of episodic risk of PM10 by controlling industrial and traffic emissions of SO2 and NO2 and meteorological parameters
The purpose of this study was to provide effective strategies for ambient air quality management to ameliorate ambient PM10 concentrations. The study investigated the association of meteorological parameters with occurrence of PM10 episodes due to emissions from local sources. Spearman's rank correlations of atmospheric NO2 and SO2 and meteorological parameters with daily PM10 concentrations, monitored in urban centres in Changsha, were conducted. The conditional logistic regression and time-stratified case-crossover were used to analyse effects of different local sources with adjustment for different meteorological parame...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - June 15, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Lu, C., Deng, Q.-H., Yu, C. W. F. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Occupants' satisfaction with, and physical readings of, thermal, acoustic, and lighting conditions of sustainable office workspaces
This study (1) identified thermal, acoustic, and lighting conditions that significantly affected occupant satisfaction with their office workspace and (2) determined if the required IEQ guideline standards correlate to occupants’ satisfaction. Questionnaire results did indicate occupants’ satisfaction with overall thermal conditions (OTC) and overall acoustic condition (OAC) was significantly different than their satisfaction with the overall physical environment. The thermal conditions multiple regression model indicated that temperature, air velocity, and humidity were contributing attributes of occupants&rsq...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - June 15, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Freihoefer, K., Guerin, D., Martin, C., Kim, H.-Y., Brigham, J. K. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Factors influencing evaluation of patient areas, work spaces, and staff areas by healthcare professionals
This study investigated salient dimensions of employees’ perceptions of healthcare facilities and differences across demographic groups. A total of 496 healthcare professionals from eight acute care hospitals participated in this cross-sectional study. Employees’ perceptions of 27 different architectural and physical features in patient areas, work spaces, and staff areas were measured. Common factors were extracted through principal component analysis, levels of association between employees’ perceptions and each architectural and physical feature were determined through confirmatory factor analysis, and...
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - June 15, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Sadatsafavi, H., Walewski, J., Shepley, M. M. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
The tyranny of energy conservation in the workplace
(Source: Indoor and Built Environment)
Source: Indoor and Built Environment - June 15, 2015 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Giddings, B. Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
