Perceived indoor air quality in naturally ventilated primary schools in the UK: Impact of environmental variables and thermal sensation

摘要

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in classrooms has a significant impact on children's academicperformance, health, and well-being; therefore, understanding children's perceptionof IAQ is vital. This study investigates how children's perception of IAQ is affectedby environmental variables and thermal sensation. In total, 29 naturally ventilatedclassrooms in eight UK primary schools were selected and 805 children were surveyedduring non-heating and heating seasons. Results show that air sensation votes(ASVs) are more correlated to CO_2 levels than to operative temperatures (T_(op)) duringnon-heating seasons and more correlated to T_(op) than CO_2 levels during heatingseasons. The impact of T_(op) on A SVs decreases with an increase in CO_2 levels, andthe effect of CO_2 levels on ASVs decreases with increase in T_(op). The most favorableASVs are given when children feel “cool” and have “as it is” preference. By keepingCO_2 < 1000 ppm and T_(op) within children's thermal comfort band, ASVs are improvedby 43%. The study recommends that standards should consider the impact of bothtemperature and CO_2 levels on perceived IAQ. Perception of IAQ also affects children'soverall comfort and tiredness levels; however, this influence is more significanton tiredness level than that on overall comfort level.