Investigation of a Ventilation System for Energy Efficiency and Indoor Environmental Quality in a Renovated Historical Building: A Case Study.

This paper emphasizes the importance of environmental protection regarding the reduction of energy consumption while maintaining living standards. The aim of the research is to observe the effects of mechanical and natural ventilation on energy consumption and building operation as well as indoor environmental quality (IEQ). The results of indoor environmental quality testing show that the mean relative humidity (31%) is in the permissible range (30%-70%); the mean CO2 concentration (1050.5 ppm) is above the recommended value of 1000 ppm according to Pettenkofer; and the mean PM10 concentration (43.5 µg/m3) is under the limit value of 50 µg/m3. A very large positive correlation is found between relative humidity and concentration of CO2 as well as between the concentration of PM5 and the concentration of CO2. The most commonly occurring sick building syndrome (SBS) symptoms are found to be fatigue and the feeling of a heavy head.

Investigation of CO2 production depending on physical activity of students.

This paper aims to carry out measurements of indoor air temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations as well as to determine CO2 production by students and teacher during various physical activities. Two classrooms of Technical University of Kosice were selected for the research. Results of objective measurements confirmed strong correlation between CO2 concentration occupancy for all measurements. Recommended value for indoor CO2 level according to Pettenkofer (1,000 ppm) was exceeding in 60.9%. Results of this study showed the insufficient ventilation intensity in classrooms as well as obvious rise of CO2 concentration during the exams. The highest increase of CO2 was recorded during harder physical activity (run on the spot, squats, right and left side lunges, and rotating of the hips). Regarding CO2 production by respondents it can be see that it is visibly increased with increasing physical activity.

The real and subjective indoor environmental quality in schools.

Investigation of IEQ and subjective evaluation of IEQ by pupils is the main objective of this research work. For the monitoring two classrooms in primary school and two classrooms in art school were chosen. Very high CO2 levels were determined in both investigated schools. In three of four classrooms the statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) were reported between TVOC levels in autumn and spring. The recommended value for TVOC levels was exceeded in the range from 52 % to 53 % in autumn and from 52 % to 70 % in spring. Significant (p < 0.05) seasonal changes were found also for PM concentrations in each classroom. Significance difference in perception of IEQ factors between genders were observed for IAQ. This study showed a good consistency between data obtained from the measurement and data from the questionnaire study and thus, pointed to the good ability of pupils to evaluate the IEQ in their classrooms.