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Showing papers in "Indoor and Built Environment in 2017"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Focussed on the European Union specifically, this paper critically assesses the available statistical options for monitoring energy poverty, whilst also presenting options for improving existing data.
Abstract: Energy poverty - which has also been recognised via terms such as 'fuel poverty' and 'energy vulnerability' - occurs when a household experiences inadequate levels of energy services in the home. Measuring energy poverty is challenging, as it is a culturally sensitive and private condition, which is temporally and spatially dynamic. This is compounded by the limited availability of appropriate data and indicators, and lack of consensus on how energy poverty should be conceptualised and measured. Statistical indicators of energy poverty are an important and necessary part of the research and policy landscape. They carry great political weight, and are often used to guide the targeting of energy poverty measures - due to their perceived objectivity - with important consequences for both the indoor and built environment of housing. Focussing on the European Union specifically, this paper critically assesses the available statistical options for monitoring energy poverty, whilst also presenting options for improving existing data. This is examined through the lens of vulnerability thinking, by considering the ways in which policies and institutions, the built fabric and everyday practices shape energy use, alongside the manner in which energy poor households experience and address the issue on a day-to-day basis.

275 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The widespread recognition of energy poverty as a distinct societal and policy challenge in the EU has resulted in a surge in the number and complexity of the energy poverty metrics as discussed by the authors, drawing from the b...
Abstract: The widespread recognition of energy poverty as a distinct societal and policy challenge in the EU has resulted in a surge in the number and complexity of energy poverty metrics. Drawing from the b...

170 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: New generation research studies should be focussed on engagement of the children in an active way, preferable in semi-lab environments, and taking account of all aspects and interactions between them.
Abstract: Children spend more time in schools than in any other place except at home. Children are more susceptible than adults to effects of toxic exposure, but also to poor acoustic conditions. It is known for some time that unsatisfactory environmental conditions, can have both short-term and long-term health effects, and can affect productivity or learning ability of the children. The underlying literature study focusses on the role of the indoor school environment on the health, comfort and performance of children in classrooms. In the last decades, many studies all over the world have been performed to document the indoor environment in classrooms and to examine relations with diseases and disorders. An inventory is made of these studies, major identified issues are discussed and ‘new’ directions of research are proposed. It is concluded that new generation research studies should be focussed on engagement of the children in an active way, preferable in semi-lab environments, and taking account of all aspects...

74 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There is a need for better community engagement and communication to improve the benefits delivered by fuel poverty programmes, as well as further qualitative exploration to better understand the wider impacts of fuel poverty and policy-led intervention schemes.
Abstract: Cold homes and fuel poverty have been identified as factors in health and social inequalities that could be alleviated through energy efficiency interventions. Research on fuel poverty and the health impacts of affordable warmth initiatives have to date primarily been conducted using quantitative and statistical methods, limiting the way how fuel poverty is understood. This study took a longitudinal focus group approach that allowed exploration of lived experiences of fuel poverty before and after an energy efficiency intervention. Focus group discussions were held with residents from three low-income communities before (n = 28) and after (n = 22) they received energy efficiency measures funded through a government-led scheme. The results show that improving the energy efficiency of homes at risk of fuel poverty has a profound impact on wellbeing and quality of life, financial stress, thermal comfort, social interactions and indoor space use. However, the process of receiving the intervention was experienced by some as stressful. There is a need for better community engagement and communication to improve the benefits delivered by fuel poverty programmes, as well as further qualitative exploration to better understand the wider impacts of fuel poverty and policy-led intervention schemes.

65 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Changsheng Cao1, Jun Gao1, Li Wu1, Ding Xihui1, Xu Zhang1 
TL;DR: In this paper, the situation of residential kitchen ventilation and individual exposure in China and attempts to reduce the exposure through organizing local make-up airflow was investigated, and the results showed that the exposure can be reduced through reducing the amount of ventilation.
Abstract: This paper investigates the situation of residential kitchen ventilation and individual exposure in China and attempts to reduce the exposure through organizing local make-up airflow. Measurements ...

61 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Indoor and outdoor particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) concentrations were monitored in seven sampling sites: basketball stadium, hotel, shopping centre, research centre, commercial office, apartment bu...
Abstract: Indoor and outdoor particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) concentrations were monitored in seven sampling sites: basketball stadium, hotel, shopping centre, research centre, commercial office, apartment bu...

56 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It seems that Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) and illuminance mainly correlate with OH, but this may also be explained by gaps and methodological issues in studies described in eligible papers.
Abstract: PurposeThe International Commission on Illumination (CIE) recommends researchers to investigate a wide variety of behavioural and health outcomes. However, researchers often investigate only a part of occupational health (OH) in relation to light. A literature study (2002–2017) regarding the relationship between office lighting conditions and OH was performed to identify gaps and methodological issues.MethodThe OH outcomes investigated in this paper were grouped according to the International Classification of Diseases and analysed per category: physical and physiological health, mental health, eye health, sleep parameters and visual comfort.ResultsFindings from the literature study (20 eligible papers) showed that all OH aspects were mostly but not exclusively measured subjectively. Furthermore, most studies investigated only a fraction of office lighting parameters and OH aspects.ConclusionsIt seems that Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) and illuminance mainly correlate with OH. However, this may also...

50 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results demonstrated that the location of an infected patient would affect the infection risks to other occupants and healthcare workers inside the same hospital ward, and an increased air change rate in the ward could reduce the risk of infection from direct contact and inhalation.
Abstract: This study investigates the effectiveness of ventilation design strategies for general hospital wards in terms of virus removal capacity. A typical semi-enclosed six-bed general ward of Hong Kong h...

44 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the performance criteria for passive buildings in China have been discussed by Xu et al., previously and show that the building energy use in China has grown from 259 million ton of standard coal equivalent (Mtce) to 690 Mtce.
Abstract: Building sector accounts for a significant part of total energy consumption. In Europe, almost 40% of energy use is by residential and commercial buildings. Space conditioning accounts for 40% to 60% of building energy end use in European countries. In the USA, the use of heating, ventilating, air-conditioning (HVAC) systems contribute to 50% of energy use in buildings which is about 20% of their total energy consumption. In Middle East, over 70% of building energy is consumed by cooling systems. China, as one of the biggest developing countries, has even more striking data. From 1996 to 2012, the building energy use in China has grown from 259 million ton of standard coal equivalent (Mtce) to 690 Mtce. No doubt the worldwide energy demand of buildings will continuously increase in the near future due to the development of economy and rise of occupants’ comfort demand. Various techniques have been implemented to improve the building energy efficiency. Traditional air-conditioning methods, such as heat pumps and boilers, are mostly active strategies. They have been developed for more than one century. Recent progresses include optimized cycle design and advanced cycle elements (e.g. working fluid). In addition, the improvement of compressor technology and hybrid system contributes to the efficiency of heat pumps. However, active strategies are faced with some insurmountable limitations. The coefficient of performance (COP) of a heat pump can hardly exceed 6, while the combustion efficiency of a boiler is definitely lower than 100%. The energy use of active strategies could be kept at a high level mainly because they directly consume high-grade energy such as electricity and fossil energy. Actually, the use of heat pump and boiler in HVAC is to overcome a relatively large difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures (e.g. 10 C in summer and 20 C in winter). Inevitably, this would lead to relatively low energy efficiency of the whole system. The radiant heating and cooling (RHC) systems have gained popularity due to their contribution to a higher thermal comfort of building occupants and lower energy use. RHC systems are energy efficient because they are able to utilize the hightemperature cooling and low-temperature heating. Nevertheless, most RHC systems still require heat pumps or boilers for cooling or heating with a consumption of considerably high-grade energy. The small cooling/heating intensity and slow system response could also limit the wider application of RHC systems in buildings. Passive strategies are more energy-efficient technologies for application in buildings. These have a much longer history associated with their use in buildings than active strategies. Early passive technologies, such as cave dwellings, kang, hypocaust, etc. existed more than thousands of years. Now many people in the building design profession are focusing on passive strategies such as sun shading, insulation, interior garden, water features, atrium space, natural ventilation, etc., for reducing thermal load in indoor environments. The performance criteria for passive buildings in China have been discussed by Xu et al., previously. Improving the thermal resistance of an envelope is crucial to reduce the building energy use. Up to now, increasing the thickness of insulation layer is still one of the most common approaches to improve the thermal performance of a wall. Since the 1970s, the thickness of insulation has doubled in northern Europe. Thick envelopes, however, would increase investment and require additional materials and building areas, and would be difficult to apply in high-rise buildings. The renovation of the insulation materials may be a problem because their life expectancy is shorter than that of the building. The fire safety of insulation materials could also limit their application. In addition, the thermal insulation integrated with walls would have a high risk of condensation in humid and cold regions. An over-insulated wall could increase the building cooling load because it has a negative impact on the heat dissipation of envelope when ambient environment

38 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The benefits and limitations of this methodological approach are discussed within a detailed account of the findings from a small-scale study undertaken in Salford, UK Contributing to an existing gap in the existing evidence base, the research focused on the lived experience of young adult households: a demographic group identified as being disproportionately more likely to be living in fuel poverty compared to any other age group.
Abstract: Seeking to promote methodological innovation in fuel poverty research, this paper reflects on the use of a novel qualitative psychological approach known as Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis The benefits and limitations of this methodological approach are discussed within a detailed account of the findings from a small-scale study undertaken in Salford, UK Contributing to an existing gap in the existing evidence base, the research focused on the lived experience of young adult households: a demographic group identified as being disproportionately more likely to be living in fuel poverty compared to any other age group Three emergent themes were identified: ‘establishing the independent home’, ‘threats to home comfort’ and ‘energy and coping’ Multiple references to conditions typical of fuel poverty disclosed, such as: self-disconnection, energy debts, cold homes and unrelenting challenges with damp and laundry practices ‘Vulnerability’ mostly consumed narratives of past experience, with participants discussing the present and future with positive affectivity Implications for further research are explored, including the potential to more effectively target support by reframing current discourse away from one centred on ‘vulnerability’

38 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the majority of research on the school indoor thermal environment has been focusing on urbbers, while most of the work on indoor thermal environments has been focused on outdoor environments.
Abstract: School classroom thermal environments could impact on thermal comfort and learning performance. Currently, the majority of research on the school indoor thermal environment has been focusing on urb...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the boundary layer separation is a common phenomenon of hampering the smoke exhaust for vertica shafts under tunnel fires, and it is one of the most important approaches for smoke control under tunnel fire.
Abstract: Vertical shaft is one of the most important approaches for smoke control under tunnel fires. However, the boundary layer separation is a common phenomenon of hampering the smoke exhaust for vertica...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate the energy demand response (DR) actions on thermal comfort and energy cost in detached residential houses (1960, 2010 and passive) in a cold climate.
Abstract: This study has two aims to investigate the energy demand response (DR) actions on thermal comfort and energy cost in detached residential houses (1960, 2010 and passive) in a cold climate. The firs...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, indoor and outdoor airborne particles, CO, CO2 levels and comfort parameters were monitored at two naturally ventilated elementary schools (S1 and S2) to study the variation of ventilati...
Abstract: Indoor and outdoor airborne particles, CO, CO2 levels and comfort parameters were monitored at two naturally ventilated elementary schools (S1 and S2). This paper studies the variation of ventilati...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated airborne environmental bacteria (environmental origin), mesophilic bacteria (human related bacteria) and fungi at governmental (GH) and private (PH) hospitals.
Abstract: This study aims to evaluate airborne environmental bacteria (environmental origin), mesophilic bacteria (human related bacteria) and fungi at governmental (GH) and private (PH) hospitals, in additi...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of different variegation of interior plant foliage on visual attention, subjective emotions and cerebral activity were investigated in a study with 30 Egyptian male subjects, and the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of different foliage variegations on their visual attention and subjective emotions.
Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of different variegation of interior plant foliage on visual attention, subjective emotions and cerebral activity. Thirty Egyptian male subjects ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, measurements of indoor radon concentrations and environmental parameters were collected continuously on an hourly basis over a three-month period (April 2012 to June 2012) over the same period.
Abstract: Measurements of indoor radon concentrations and environmental parameters were collected continuously on an hourly basis over a three-month period (April 2012 to June 2012). These were performed bot...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, low airflow or poor outdoor ventilation around building blocks can negatively influence pollutant dispersion in the surroundings and indoor air quality, and increase the risks of airborne transmiss...
Abstract: Low airflow or poor outdoor ventilation around building blocks can negatively influence pollutant dispersion in the surroundings and indoor air quality, and increase the risks of airborne transmiss...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigate the natural lighting performance in indoor and semi-open spaces of urban vernacular architecture in the Mediterranean region and find that natural light performance in these spaces is positively correlated with the number of windows.
Abstract: This study aims to investigate the natural lighting performance in indoor and semi-open spaces of urban vernacular architecture in the Mediterranean region. In vernacular architecture, natural ligh...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Natural elements, life and life-like processes, as well as representations of them can produce positive experiences within the built environment as mentioned in this paper, and a number of empirical studies have shown that natural elements can generate positive experiences.
Abstract: Natural elements, life and life-like processes, as well as representations of them, can produce positive experiences within the built environment. Over the past decade, a number of empirical studie...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the combined effects of noise and thermal conditions on indoor environmental perceptions were examined to examine the combined effect of noise, thermal conditions and humidity levels on indoor environment perception.
Abstract: Realistic thermal conditions with various humidity levels have been considered to examine the combined effects of noise and thermal conditions on indoor environmental perceptions. Subjective assess...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors collected more comprehensive data about the indoor environmental quality in urban dwellings with schoolchildren in Beijing, China, and collected indoor air temperature, indoor air quality, and rel...
Abstract: This study attempts to collect more comprehensive data about the indoor environmental quality in urban dwellings with schoolchildren in Beijing, China. For this purpose, indoor air temperature, rel...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, fuel poverty is associated with fuel price, energy consumption, income and building features to maintain comfortable conditions, and most studies are based on existing conditions with future conditions.
Abstract: Fuel poverty is commonly associated with fuel price, energy consumption, income and building features to maintain comfortable conditions. Most studies are based on existing conditions with future m...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the impact of human-induced wake flow and particle re-dispersion from floors in an indoor environment was investigated by performing computational fluid dynamics simulations with dynamic mesh of a...
Abstract: The impact of human-induced wake flow and particle re-dispersion from floors in an indoor environment was investigated by performing computational fluid dynamics simulations with dynamic mesh of a ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Overall thermal sensations on the whole and local body areas showed some significant differences between the indoor environment and immersive virtual environment conditions during the same thermal conditions, and the heart rate difference between two environmental conditions was statistically significant at every thermal sensation level.
Abstract: In the domain of building science and architectural design, the immersive virtual environment is being commonly adopted due to its convenience and cost-effectiveness, especially for research releva...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is an important and effective tool to study the airflow field and contaminant distribution in aircraft cabins as mentioned in this paper, and the accuracy of numerical simulation using the CFD...
Abstract: Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is an important and effective tool to study the airflow field and contaminant distribution in aircraft cabins. The accuracy of numerical simulation using the CFD ...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Convective heat transfer coefficients were precisely analysed as a function of breathing airflow rate and the correlations between Nusselt (Nu) number and the product of the Reynolds (Re) and Prandtl (Pr) numbers were summarized.
Abstract: In vivo studies involving mammal surrogate models for toxicology studies have restrictions related to animal protection and ethics. Computer models, i.e., in silico models, have great potential to contribute towards essential understanding of heat and mass transfer phenomena in respiratory tracts in place of in vivo and in vitro studies. Here, we developed numerical upper airway models of a rat, a dog, a monkey, and two humans by using computed tomography data and then applied computational fluid dynamics analysis. Convective heat transfer coefficients were precisely analysed as a function of breathing airflow rate. Based on the computational fluid dynamics simulation results, the correlations between Nusselt (Nu) number and the product of the Reynolds (Re) and Prandtl (Pr) numbers were summarized. The heat transfer efficiency (order of hc and correlation of Nu and RePr) in the upper airway of the dog seems to match those of the human models. On the other hand, the results for the rat and monkey showed cl...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the overall thermal performance of vernacular buildings in Nicosia, Cyprus and highlights the role of semi-open spaces in improving the thermal comfort of the aforementioned buildings.
Abstract: This paper investigates the overall thermal performance of vernacular buildings in Nicosia, Cyprus and highlights the role of semi-open spaces in improving the thermal comfort of the aforementioned...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the associations between characteristics of urban green spaces and frequency and duration of self-reported physical activity in the city of Aydin, Turkey and found that green spaces were associated with a higher frequency of physical activity.
Abstract: This study investigates the associations between characteristics of urban green spaces and frequency and duration of self-reported physical activity in the city of Aydin, Turkey. Data were collecte...

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A computer simulated person (CSP) integrated with a virtual airway was developed and used to estimate inhalation exposure in an indoor environment and respiratory tissue doses and their distributions of inhaled contaminants are discussed quantitatively.
Abstract: Indoor environmental quality, e.g. air quality and thermal environments, has a potential impact on residents in indoors. Development of a computer simulated person (CSP) for indoor computational fl...