Oxford Brookes University

MSc Sustainable Building : Performance & Design

Module P 30405
Post Occupancy Building Evaluation

Assignment 1: Essay

Sick Buildings and Post occupancy

Evaluation .

Anubhav Biswal
10097757
Submitted 29th October 2010

Abstract: This essay focuses on Sick building and Sick building Syndrome . It tells us that
how man in the race to churn out maximum profit out of the building gave birth to this
disease . The causes of SBS and its symptoms that can be seen in the occupants . Evidence is
given that how fatal it can get if not checked in time . Then Post occupancy evaluation and
the solutions provided by it . Also how to find out SBS and deal with it . Then the essay
concludes by stating that how crucial role a designer plays and what precautions and
measures should be taken before and even after the building is constructed . And how even
simple awareness and maintenance can prevent SBS .
Introduction

Buildings were made to replicate the environment suitable and appropriate for human beings
comfort . But later only buildings were taken care of and the occupants comfort was forgotten in the
race to churn out more profit out of the building !

The problems of fluctuating temperatures ,draughts , stuffiness ,bad lighting and noise have
always be found in offices but energy saving measures introduced in 1970’s with the rise in oil prices
have exacerbated them [London Hazard Trust ] . The buildings which are being made nowadays , in
which occupants have no control or minimum control over their environment , so called the
intelligent buildings which are mechanically ventilated have created problems which people are
facing in their day to day lives . The problem can be in any building but generally the office building is
at the prime target of being Sick . These buildings are designed to reduce the intake of fresh outside
air because it is cheaper to recirculate the air that has already been warmed up in winter or cooled
in summer than to take in the outside air and heat or cool it .

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS ) is a phenomenon whereby people working in a particular building
experience sufferings like headache ,lethargy ,dry throat , or sore eyes . These symptoms tend to
increase in severity with more time spent in the building and improve over time or even disappear
away from the building . This is often derived as sick building syndrome . SBS has been
acknowledged as a recognizable disease by the World Health Organization [jack rostron sbs concept]

Air tight buildings in which amount of air brought into ventilation system may be reduced to zero ,
so that only re-circulated air is breathed . Such buildings are known as sealed or Tight buildings .

And even fans which distribute air from AHU to the distribution ductwork maybe reduced or turned
off , altogether for some periods of time to save energy [HSE.gov.uk GJ RAW] .

Causes of SBS and examples

There are many causes but which have been identified by the experts and theories are air-
conditioning ,chemicals ,fungi or even physical factors such as lighting ,humidity , temperature .
In USA , investigation carried out up to the end of 1983 by National Institute for occupational safety
and Health (NIOSH) , A government organisation stated that inadequate ventilation to be the casual
factor in about half of the buildings with health complains . Inadequate ventilation was often given
as the cause when no other cause could be found . Six buildings features are strongly associated with
symptoms of SBS [Mclntyre and Sterling 1982]
o A hermetically sealed , airtight shell
o Mechanical heating , ventilation and air-conditioning systems
o Use of materials and equipments that give off a variety of irritating and sometime toxic
fumes or dust
o Fluorescent lighting that may produce photochemical smog
o Application of energy conservation measures
o Lack of individual control over the environment conditions
Legionnaire disease
On 27 April 1988 two people were admitted to same Essex Hospital , one suspected food poisoning
, the other with suspected pneumonia . Two days later test had confirmed that both people had
“legionnaires disease” and doctors noticed that both worked in the same office of Broadcasting
house in London . Which gave an opportunity for an immediate alert of the public health
authorities and to searches for the source of infection and for potential victims . Eventually 58
people were confirmed as suffering from Legionnaire disease . Out of which 18 worked for BBC and
rest were members of public who lived close to or had happened to pass by Broadcating House .
Three people died in that incident . The source of infection was found out to be a cooling tower
which had stood idle for 2-3 months in autumn in 1987 .
Second disaster came into notice in July 1976 , 18 delegates to an American legion convention in
Philadelphia were struck down with mysterious acute respiratory illness . The search found out it to
be Legionella pneumophilia . 29 people died in this outbreak .
Legionella thrives in any warm , non sterile water particularly if water contains
sludge iron algae and amoebae . The bacteria is found everywhere in nature ,rivers,lakes ,ponds
,streams and in wet soil . It is probably found out in low concentration in all open water systems
including those of buildings services such as hot and cold water systems [CIBSE 1987]
Legionella has probably been around for hundreds of years but has been
isolated only recently because the new environments that support its growth have potential to
cause outbreak of disease rather than sporadic single disease . Typical disease causing environments
are airconditioned buildings with poorly maintained or sited cooling tower .

Camden Housing Aid Centre , London

In early 1980’s NALGO (National and local Government officers association) representatives at the
housing Aid centre complaint to the management that workers were suffering from headaches ,sore
throats ,muscular aches ,sinus,flu and cold symptoms . The workers believed that their problems
were due to a combination of fluorescent lighting and a faulty ventilation system , the air inlet drew
fumes directly from a car park at the rear of the building . In 1985 union contavted London Hazard
centre and in early 1986 independent surveys of ventilation system and lighting were arranged .
which showed that complete overhaul and improvement was needed by the ventilation system and
lighting should properly be totally re-designed . Eventually later the office was relocated to another
council building , while refurbishment took place . But the workers suffered for so many years .

Post occupancy Evaluation(POE) and it needs

It is the evaluation method of the building ,when the occupants have already moved in the building .
It is done by collection of data and evaluation of information about performance of the building in
use [ Dr Rajat Gupta 29sept2010] .
POE focuses on the comfort and satisfaction of the occupants and about finding
out the means to reduce or end those problems . If the occupants are facing some problems then
there might be a problem in the building . In POE the building is monitored for its temperature ,
humidity etc with data loggers and then followed by questionnaires and stories from the occupants
of the buildings . POE will act as a boon for monitoring and curing sick buildings . SBS is generally not
taken seriously by the management since managers are less likely to suffer the symptoms of SBS .
Because managers often have larger offices furnished with more expensive materials and furnishings
which are less likely to give obnoxious gases , less equipment and freedom to move about and out of
the building . And since symptoms of SBS are more common in any population , managers treat the
complaints as whingeing by workers .POE is not only about finding out problems , but also to give
solutions and remedies for the problems being faced .
 Sometimes the solution may be only to change a small issue , without any extra capital to be
invested . And also what measures should be treated or taken as urgent . . POE can expose
supposedly well executed sustainable buildings to be poorly performing [Bordass.B 2007] , the
egotistic nature of and reticence to share knowledge and learning in the Architectural and design
sector, has undoubtedly contributed to many reports being withheld from publication .
It is difficult for people in office to trace another people similarly troubled , with SBS . Hence POE can
act as an eye opener for people and managers in those offices . POE also create benchmarks which
should be followed so that mistakes are not replicated again and one learn from their mistakes .
The office firms invest too much on enhancing the beauty and status of their building , but are they
investing anything to increase the productivity in their companies ?

Dealing with SBS

o First track and document your SBS symptoms - those that mysteriously disappear when you
and other sufferers leave the building.
o Have all sufferers consult with a health care professional(s), notify the owner of the
suspected sick building symptoms, and seek assistance from your local health department
o Taking the above information into consideration, try to identify the sources of your building-
related illness and attempt to reduce or eliminate them where practical.
o Ban smoking inside the building. Also discourage use of colognes, air fresheners, scented
candles, perfumes, hair spray, incense, and other aromatic products
o Open doors or windows to increase air ventilation. Introducing more fresh air will dilute and
"flush" pollutants from inside. Nine air exchanges per day is the recommended level of
ventilation .
o It's good to ventilate, but also keep in mind that humidity levels and temperature swings can
affect biological contaminants like mould spores and also how much VOCs enter the air
o Remove water damaged furnishings, ceiling tiles, or carpeting.
o Have the heating and ventilation system (HVAC) checked for contaminated duct work, air
exchange efficiency, or maintenance issues.
o Hire a professional to clean the air ducts, particularly if Toxic Black Mould spores are
detected within your HVAC system .
o Eliminate poor lighting, ergonomics, and acoustics which have all been associated with sick
building symptoms
o Use VOC-free paint and other environmentally friendly healthy home products .
o Do not store household chemicals in or directly adjacent ot living areas.
o Use household chemicals like solvents, paints, pesticides, adhesives, and thinners sparingly
(if at all) and only in well ventilated rooms preferably during hours of limited occupancy.
o Test building air for indoor air pollutants such as particulates like pollen, dander, dust mites,
and mould spores. You can also test for humidity levels, carbon monoxide gas, formaldehyde
gas, and Radon gas.
o Supply ventilation in areas where electronic equipment or appliances such as photocopiers,
computers, and fax machines are frequently used.
o Make sure electric and gas-powered appliances are operating and exhausting properly.
Ventilation fans have been known to cause back-drafting of deadly carbon monoxide into
living spaces, so beware of low indoor pressure particularly when exhaust ducts are passively
exhausted .
Conclusion

Not much money is needed for the solution given by Post occupancy evaluation . Because people
has wrong notions in mind that it will give costly solutions . Sometimes the solution can only be the
problem with BMS or only a minor changes . POE also bring light into the matter which needs
immediate attention . Apart from that if the designers pay attention for basic needs like proper
ventilation is there if building has mechanical ventilation , proper lighting i.e if there is use of proper
daylight used in the office so that good visual environment is there , Humidity should be controlled
, very high and even very low humidity is not good , For most offices relative humidity should be
around 40-60% which is appropriate and also prevents build up of static electricity . operative
temperature should be between 20-24 degree Celsius . Maintenance should be done if building is
mechanically ventilated for e.g cooling towers , humidifiers , and even cleaning of ductwork . The
cleaning regime for soft furnishings ,carpets and curtains should be considered . Agents chosen
should be chosen to eliminate potential sources of SBS not inadvertently add to it . Last but not the
least the management should be sensitive and people oriented , as this will promote goodwill and
higher levels of satisfaction .
Acknowledgement

I would like to thanks my teacher Dr . Rajat Gupta for giving me pointers for the essay , I had very
little clue of the topic before that .

References

1) Rostron Jack (1997) Sick Building Syndrome Concepts issues and practice . London
E&FN Spon .

2) London Hazards Centre (1990) Sick Building Syndrome Causes , effects and control
. London LBGS

3) Gupta R. “Principals of POE “ Lecture at oxford brookes university 6 October 2010

4) http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg132.pdf dated 25/10/2010

5) http://www.home-air-purifier-expert.com/sick-building-syndrome.html dated
27/10/2010

6) www.usablebuilding.co.uk