Sampling strategies of indoor air quality assessment for offices
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to propose alternative sampling schemes for indoor air quality assessments in which a balance between the sampling time required and number of sampling points chosen is allowed.
Design/methodology/approach
CO2 was used as a reference to evaluate the existing and the proposed sampling schemes for average indoor pollutant concentration regarding the sampling time and sampling point density required and the probable errors induced at certain confidence levels of the measurement.
Findings
The results showed that increasing the number of sampling points would significantly reduce the corresponding sampling time required: at the same confidence level, doubling the sampling point density from 250 m2 to 500 m2 per measurement point would reduce the sampling time required from eight hours to three hours.
Research limitations/implications
The model parameters were determined from surveys for some typical offices in Hong Kong and therefore may require adaptation for use elsewhere.
Practical implications
A useful source of information in determining the number of sampling points chosen and the duration of the measurement needed according to the “acceptable” measurement uncertainty allowed.
Originality/value
Providing flexibility in IAQ assessment, the results would be useful to policymakers for making decisions on resources and manpower management for their respective sampling strategies while taking the uncertainties into account.
Keywords
Citation
Hui, P.S., Wong, L.T. and Mui, K.W. (2007), "Sampling strategies of indoor air quality assessment for offices", Facilities, Vol. 25 No. 5/6, pp. 179-184. https://doi.org/10.1108/02632770710742156
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited