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Article
Publication date: 3 April 2009

L.T. Wong, K.W. Mui, P.S. Hui and W‐y. Chan

The purpose of this paper is to propose a screening test for indoor air quality (IAQ) assessment by auditing only a few “dominant” contributors for preliminary measurements in…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a screening test for indoor air quality (IAQ) assessment by auditing only a few “dominant” contributors for preliminary measurements in air‐conditioned offices.

Design/methodology/approach

In Hong Kong, up to ten common indoor air pollutants have to be audited in determining the IAQ acceptance for typical air‐conditioned offices. Indeed, parameters could not be uniformly contributed to the assessed “IAQ satisfaction”. The study reviews the past ten‐year assessment experiences in Hong Kong and investigates the “dominant” contributors of unsatisfactory IAQ for screening tests.

Findings

When compared with the “full” assessment of all ten listed parameters, a screening test with assessment parameters reduced by half would correctly identify 96 per cent unsatisfactory and 95 per cent satisfactory cases.

Research limitations/implications

The screening test was developed with the reported patterns of the ten common air pollutants from on‐site measurements and survey studies in typical air‐conditioned offices in Hong Kong. Therefore, the test application may require adaptation for use in other countries.

Practical implications

The study shows the usefulness of a regional database in developing a screening strategy for IAQ and so it would be a useful reference for policymakers in evaluating a cost‐justified IAQ assessment protocol.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a simple screening test which can identify the probable unsatisfactory IAQ in offices by assessing only a few “dominant” contributors, with selection of representative assessment parameters based on experiences.

Details

Facilities, vol. 27 no. 5/6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 24 February 2012

P.S. Hui, K.W. Mui and L.T. Wong

It is costly to sample all air pollutants of a general community for continuous indoor air quality (IAQ) assessments. To optimize the resources for IAQ baseline monitoring for…

Abstract

Purpose

It is costly to sample all air pollutants of a general community for continuous indoor air quality (IAQ) assessments. To optimize the resources for IAQ baseline monitoring for general facilities management, this study aims to investigate the feasibility of using a simple IAQ index as a screening parameter of a screening test to identify an asymptomatic air‐conditioned office with probable unsatisfactory IAQ.

Design/methodology/approach

The IAQ index is determined from the fractional dose of some representative common indoor air pollutants of unsatisfactory IAQ, either by taking equal importance of the pollutants as a weighting factor or weighted by the regional failure rates with respect to the corresponding air pollutants. Specifically, a database of regional IAQ assessment results of 422 air‐conditioned offices was employed to justify the selected screening levels for the IAQ index.

Findings

The proposed IAQ index of a screening assessment was used for verifying, respectively, 58 and seven air‐conditioned offices of Hong Kong with satisfactory and unsatisfactory IAQ. The results showed that 57 satisfactory offices and two unsatisfactory offices were correctly identified by the unweighted and weighted IAQ indices respectively. Evaluation of the proposed index in further IAQ improvements of some offices showed that it would be a practical tool for preliminary IAQ screening assessment.

Research limitations/implications

The screening test itself could not identify all the IAQ problems but could identify the office groups with higher risk of unsatisfactory IAQ with reduced effort.

Practical implications

The study shows the usefulness of the proposed IAQ index to identify the unrecognized IAQ problems for air‐conditioned office environments. It could be adopted as a routine screening measure in facility management of which a wide‐ranging set of IAQ measurement is undesired.

Originality/value

This study presents a useful reference for policymakers, building owners and professionals for indoor environmental assessments.

Article
Publication date: 25 May 2010

P.S. Hui, L.T. Wong and K.W. Mui

This study seeks to investigate the usefulness of occupant acceptance as a preliminary screen measure for offices' indoor air quality (IAQ). An effective alert indication of IAQ

Abstract

Purpose

This study seeks to investigate the usefulness of occupant acceptance as a preliminary screen measure for offices' indoor air quality (IAQ). An effective alert indication of IAQ problems of a concerned indoor environment would help to promote good IAQ.

Design/methodology/approach

The study evaluates the hypothesis that the occupant dissatisfaction with the overall indoor environment provides an indication of IAQ problems. Hence, occupant dissatisfaction would be used as a screening parameter to identify problematic IAQ regarding some IAQ criteria in subsequent IAQ assessments. The hypothesis was tested with a database of regional cross‐sectional measurement in 490 offices within Hong Kong.

Findings

The occupants' dissatisfaction with the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) was correlated with the IAQ assessment results of nine IAQ assessment parameters regarding some IAQ criteria for air‐conditioned offices. At certain screening levels of predicted IEQ dissatisfaction, the performance of the proposed screening tool, indicating unsatisfactory office IAQ, was evaluated in terms of the test sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and Yule's Q statistics. The results showed that occupants' response to the indoor environment produced indications of unsatisfactory IAQ regarding the requirement of an “Excellent” office.

Research limitations/implications

The subjective feelings of occupants are capable of identifying marked indoor environmental problems, but cannot identify the “marginal” IAQ problem cases.

Practical implications

The study shows the usefulness of using occupant acceptance to identify the unrecognized IAQ problems for air‐conditioned office environment. Using the identification model developed in the study, all the suspected cases were associated with a high chance of IAQ dissatisfaction and subsequent IAQ assessments were thus recommended.

Originality/value

The paper proposes a new identification method to identify the unrecognized IAQ problems which may indicate unsatisfactory IAQ. Also, the occupants' responses on the indoor environment are quantified.

Details

Facilities, vol. 28 no. 7/8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 April 2023

Fatemeh Goodarzi, Kavitha Palaniappan, Manikam Pillay and Mahmoud Ershadi

Exposure to poor indoor air in refurbished buildings is a matter of health concern due to the growing concentrations of various contaminants as a result of building airtightness…

Abstract

Purpose

Exposure to poor indoor air in refurbished buildings is a matter of health concern due to the growing concentrations of various contaminants as a result of building airtightness without amendment of ventilation, or the use of building materials such as glue, paint, thinner and varnishes. Recent studies have been conducted to measure indoor air pollutants and assess the health risks affecting the quality of life, productivity and well-being of human beings. However, limited review studies have been recently conducted to provide an overview of the state of knowledge. This study aims to conduct a scoping review of indoor air quality (IAQ) in the context of refurbished or energy-retrofitted buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic screening process based on the PRISMA protocol was followed to extract relevant articles. Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and PubMed were searched using customised search formulas. Among 276 potentially relevant records, 38 studies were included in the final review covering a period from 2015 to 2022.

Findings

Researchers mapped out the measured compounds in the selected studies and found that carbon dioxide (CO2) (11%) and total volatile organic compounds (11%) were among the most commonly measured contaminants. Two trends of research were found including (1) the impact of ventilative properties on IAQ and (2) the impact of introducing building materials on IAQ.

Originality/value

The contribution of this study lies in summarising evidence on IAQ measurements in refurbished buildings, discussing recent advancements, revealing significant gaps and limitations, identifying the trends of research and drawing conclusions regarding future research directions on the topic.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1999

H. James Harrington

This paper presents the role that the International Academy for Quality (IAQ) plays in furthering the dissemination and practice of quality methods and concepts around the world…

746

Abstract

This paper presents the role that the International Academy for Quality (IAQ) plays in furthering the dissemination and practice of quality methods and concepts around the world. It looks at a range of aspects such as principles, mission and objectives of the IAQ. Provides information on the development of the IAQ and its future. Outlines the IAQ’s vision for meeting the needs of the twenty‐first century.

Details

The TQM Magazine, vol. 11 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0954-478X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 20 June 2016

Melanie Roussy and Marion Brivot

The purpose of this paper is to characterize how those who perform (internal auditors), mandate (audit committee (AC) members), use (AC members and external auditors) and…

4986

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to characterize how those who perform (internal auditors), mandate (audit committee (AC) members), use (AC members and external auditors) and normalize (the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)) internal audit work, respectively make sense of the notion of “internal audit quality” (IAQ).

Design/methodology/approach

This study is predicated on the meta-analysis of extant literature on IAQ, 56 interviews with internal auditors and AC members of public or para-public sector organizations in Canada, and archival documents published by the IIA, analyzed in the light of framing theory.

Findings

Four interpretative schemes (or frames) emerge from the analysis, called “manager,” “éminence grise,” “professional” and “watchdog.” They respectively correspond to internal auditors’, AC members’, the IIA’s and external auditors’ viewpoints and suggest radically different perspectives on how IAQ should be defined and controlled (via input, throughput, output or professional controls).

Research limitations/implications

Empirically, the authors focus on rare research data. Theoretically, the authors delineate four previously undocumented competing frames of IAQ.

Practical implications

Practically, the various governance actors involved in assessing IAQ can learn from the study that they should confront their views to better coordinate their quality control efforts.

Originality/value

Highlighting the contrast between these frames is important because, so far, extant literature has predominantly focussed on only one perspective on IAQ, that of external auditors. The authors suggest that IAQ is more polysemous and complex than previously acknowledged, which justifies the qualitative and interpretive approach.

Details

Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, vol. 29 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0951-3574

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 11 November 2022

Sara Zanni, Matteo Mura, Mariolina Longo, Gabriella Motta and Davide Caiulo

This study aims to provide a comprehensive framework for the study of indoor air quality (IAQ) in hospitality premises. The goal is to identify the drivers of air pollution, both…

2217

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to provide a comprehensive framework for the study of indoor air quality (IAQ) in hospitality premises. The goal is to identify the drivers of air pollution, both at the exogenous and endogenous level, to generate insights for facility managers.

Design/methodology/approach

The complexity of hospitality premises requires an integrated approach to properly investigate IAQ. The authors develop an overarching framework encompassing a monitoring method, based on real-time sensors, a technological standard and a set of statistical analyses for the assessment of both IAQ performance and drivers, based on correlation analyses, analysis of variance and multivariate regressions.

Findings

The findings suggest that the main drivers of IAQ differ depending on the area monitored: areas in contact with the outdoors or with high ventilation rates, such as halls, are affected by outdoor air quality more than guestrooms or fitness areas, where human activities are the main sources of contamination.

Research limitations/implications

The results suggest that the integration of IAQ indicators into control dashboards would support management decisions, both in defining protocols to support resilience of the sector in a postpandemic world and in directing investments on the premises. This would also address guests’ pressing demands for a broader approach to cleanliness and safety and support their satisfaction and intention to return.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study developing a comprehensive framework to systematically address IAQ and its drivers, based on a standard and real-time monitoring. The framework has been applied across the longest period of monitoring for a hospitality premise thus far and over an entire hotel facility.

Details

International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, vol. 35 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-6119

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 April 2008

Low Sui Pheng, Liu Jun Ying and Wong Heng Lock

The purpose of this paper is to show that, while the buildability concept and habitation comfort have been studied extensively, these have so far been examined separately. In…

1674

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that, while the buildability concept and habitation comfort have been studied extensively, these have so far been examined separately. In particular, the implications, which the Total Building Performance (TBP) concept may have on buildability, are as yet unknown. Arising from this lacuna, the objective of this study is to develop an understanding of the relationship between buildability and the two TBP mandates of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and visual performance (VP).

Design/methodology/approach

In studying the relationship between the IAQ and VP mandates and buildability, a base model was used to establish the baseline for comparison. This base model was adopted from the Code of Practice on Buildable Design implemented by the Building and Construction Authority in Singapore. The incorporation of IAQ and visual performance guidelines on the base model was examined to assess their influence on the buildability score.

Findings

Analysis for the IAQ component yielded a slight increase in the buildability score after the incorporation of the guidelines. However, this was not the case in the visual performance component, where there was a slight decrease in the buildability score. Nevertheless, the reduction does not affect the buildability score significantly. The minimum buildability score requirements set by the Building and Construction Authority in Singapore were still met after the incorporation of the guidelines. This seems to suggest that there is minimum effect on the buildability score arising from the implementation of both the IAQ and visual performance mandates.

Practical implications

The study determined that the two TBP mandates of IAQ and visual performance do not have any significantly adverse effect on buildability. Building professionals can therefore incorporate appropriate IAQ and visual performance guidelines in their architectural layout designs without compromising on buildability.

Originality/value

This study presents a better understanding of the relationship between buildability and the two TBP mandates of IAQ and visual performance.

Details

Structural Survey, vol. 26 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-080X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 May 2019

Georgia Boskou, Efstathios Kirkos and Charalambos Spathis

This paper aims to assess internal audit quality (IAQ) by using automated textual analysis of disclosures of internal audit mechanisms in annual reports.

2629

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to assess internal audit quality (IAQ) by using automated textual analysis of disclosures of internal audit mechanisms in annual reports.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses seven text mining techniques to construct classification models that predict whether companies listed on the Athens Stock Exchange are audited by a Big 4 firm, an auditor selection that prior research finds is associated with higher IAQ. The classification accuracy of the models is compared to predictions based on financial indicators.

Findings

The results show that classification models developed using text analysis can be a promising alternative proxy in assessing IAQ. Terms, N-Grams and financial indicators of a company, as they are presented in the annual reports, can provide information on the IAQ.

Practical implications

This study offers a novel approach to assessing the IAQ by applying textual analysis techniques. These findings are important for those who oversee internal audit activities, assess internal audit performance or want to improve or evaluate internal audit systems, such as managers or audit committees. Practitioners, regulators and investors may also extract useful information on internal audit and internal auditors by using textual analysis. The insights are also relevant for external auditors who are required to consider various aspects of corporate governance, including IAQ.

Originality/value

IAQ has been the subject of thorough examination. However, this study is the first attempt, to the authors’ knowledge, to introduce an innovative text mining approach utilizing unstructured textual disclosure from annual reports to develop a proxy for IAQ. It contributes to the internal audit field literature by further exploring concerns relevant to IAQ.

Details

Managerial Auditing Journal, vol. 34 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0268-6902

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 November 2022

Hamdan Alzahrani, Mohammed Arif, Amit Kant Kaushik, Muhammad Qasim Rana and Hani M. Aburas

A building's Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has a direct impact on the health and productivity on its occupants. Understanding the effects of IAQ in educational buildings is essential…

Abstract

Purpose

A building's Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has a direct impact on the health and productivity on its occupants. Understanding the effects of IAQ in educational buildings is essential in both the design and construction phases for decision-makers. The purpose of this paper is to outline the impact air quality has on occupants' performance, especially teachers and students in educational settings.

Design/methodology/approach

This study aims to evaluate the effects of IAQ on teachers' performances and to deliver air quality requirements to building information modelling-led school projects. The methodology of the research approach used a quasi-experiment through questionnaire surveys and physical measurements of indoor air parameters to associate correlation and deduction. A technical college building in Saudi Arabia was used for the case study. The study developed an artificial neural network (ANN) model to define and predict relationships between teachers' performance and IAQ.

Findings

This paper contains a detailed investigation into the impact of IAQ via direct parameters (relative humidity, ventilation rates and carbon dioxide) on teacher performance. Research findings indicated an optimal relative humidity with 65%, ranging between 650 to 750 ppm of CO2, and 0.4 m/s ventilation rate. This ratio is considered optimum for both comfort and performance

Originality/value

This paper focuses on teacher performance in Saudi Arabia and used ANN to define and predict the relationship between performance and IAQ. There are few studies that focus on teacher performance in Saudi Arabia and very few that use ANN in data analysis.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

1 – 10 of 297