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Ventilation Positive Pressure Intervention Effect on Indoor Air Quality in a School Building with Moisture Problems

Author

Listed:
  • Camilla Vornanen-Winqvist

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland)

  • Kati Järvi

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland)

  • Sander Toomla

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland)

  • Kaiser Ahmed

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland)

  • Maria A. Andersson

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland)

  • Raimo Mikkola

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland)

  • Tamás Marik

    (Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary)

  • László Kredics

    (Department of Microbiology, University of Szeged, Közép Fasor 52, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary)

  • Heidi Salonen

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland)

  • Jarek Kurnitski

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Aalto University, Rakentajanaukio 4, 02150 Espoo, Finland
    Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia)

Abstract

This case study investigates the effects of ventilation intervention on measured and perceived indoor air quality (IAQ) in a repaired school where occupants reported IAQ problems. Occupants’ symptoms were suspected to be related to the impurities leaked indoors through the building envelope. The study’s aim was to determine whether a positive pressure of 5–7 Pa prevents the infiltration of harmful chemical and microbiological agents from structures, thus decreasing symptoms and discomfort. Ventilation intervention was conducted in a building section comprising 12 classrooms and was completed with IAQ measurements and occupants’ questionnaires. After intervention, the concentration of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ) decreased, and occupants’ negative perceptions became more moderate compared to those for other parts of the building. The indoor mycobiota differed in species composition from the outdoor mycobiota, and changed remarkably with the intervention, indicating that some species may have emanated from an indoor source before the intervention.

Suggested Citation

  • Camilla Vornanen-Winqvist & Kati Järvi & Sander Toomla & Kaiser Ahmed & Maria A. Andersson & Raimo Mikkola & Tamás Marik & László Kredics & Heidi Salonen & Jarek Kurnitski, 2018. "Ventilation Positive Pressure Intervention Effect on Indoor Air Quality in a School Building with Moisture Problems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:2:p:230-:d:129475
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    Cited by:

    1. Camilla Vornanen-Winqvist & Heidi Salonen & Kati Järvi & Maria A. Andersson & Raimo Mikkola & Tamás Marik & László Kredics & Jarek Kurnitski, 2018. "Effects of Ventilation Improvement on Measured and Perceived Indoor Air Quality in a School Building with a Hybrid Ventilation System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-18, July.

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