Passive Methods to Address the Sick Building Syndrome in Public Buildings

• Type: Chapter or Part of a Book
• Date: 2011

Authors

José Orosa (Author) FEUP; Armando C. Oliveira (Author) FEUP

Book

Title: Sick Building Syndrome in Public Buildings and Workplace

1º Edition

ISBN: 978-3-642-17918-1

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-642-17919-8

Publisher: Springer

Scientific classification

FOS: Engineering and technology > Other engineering and technologies

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00H-118

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-17919-8_27

Abstract (EN): For a long time, the following are considered to be related to the sick building syndrome (SBS) in buildings: mechanical ventilation, air-conditioning systems, wall internal coverings with textile materials, bad quality of construction materials and air tight buildings with reduced air exchange. Recent studies showed that permeable coverings are a realistic solution to prevent this syndrome, due to its ability to control indoor relative humidity, which leads to a reduction in the temperature needed to reach the same comfort conditions. This passive method of indoor humidity control also minimizes indoor air exchange and energy consumption in buildings. In the present study, the main results recently obtained using passive methods to control the indoor environments of Spanish public buildings are presented. In particular, the utilization of permeable internal coverings, such as wood and paper, were considered for preventing SBS and energy saving in buildings.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11