GUIDELINES FOR GOOD

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

IN OFFICE PREMISES

First edition, October 1996

Institute of Environmental Epidemiology
Ministry of the Environment
40 Scotts Road #22-00
Singapore 228231
Tel:(65)7319754 Fax:(65)7348287
E-mail:[email protected]
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the
written permission of the Institute of Environmental Epidemiology,
Ministry of the Environment.

CONTENTS
Introduction

Members of the Technical Advisory Committee on Indoor

Air Quality

PART I: PRELIMINARY

1. Purpose
2. Scope and application
3. Glossary

9
9
10

PART II: IDENTIFYING INDOOR AIR QUALITY

PROBLEMS

13

4. Assessment of indoor air quality problems

5. Indoor air quality and health
6. Action plan to achieve good indoor air quality

15
15
16

PART III: IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY

19

7. Design
8. Construction
9. Commissioning and operation
10. Renovation
11. Maintenance
12. Quality control

21
22
23
24
25
27

APPENDICES

29

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

31
32
35
38
40
44

Some common indoor air contaminants

Sample checklist for building inspection
Sample confidential questionnaire for building occupants
Outdoor air quality standards
Indoor air quality guidelines
References

INTRODUCTION
The indoor air quality of air-conditioned offices is a subject of
public health importance because we spend a substantial amount of
time in these premises. Good indoor air quality can lead to
improved productivity at the workplace. On the other hand, poor
indoor air quality will cause productivity to drop because of comfort
problems, ill health and sickness-absenteeism.
Our city's tropical climate, highly built environment, and
energy conservation requirements pose special constraints and
challenges to the building industry in ensuring that indoor air quality
remains acceptable. In 1995, my Ministry appointed a Technical
Advisory Committee on Indoor Air Quality comprising members
from both private and public sectors to advise on the guidelines for
good air quality. This document represents a very important first
step towards interdisciplinary consensus on the issue of indoor air
quality.
The objective of this document is to provide general guidance
on improving the indoor air quality of air-conditioned office premises
and acceptable values for selected parameters. It also provides
information on the potential health effects of indoor contaminants,
and an action plan to achieve good indoor air quality. The contents
are intended to complement the engineering specifications set out
in the Singapore Standard Code of Practice for Mechanical
Ventilation and Air-conditioning in Buildings (SS CP13), and should
be useful to building owners/management corporations, those
involved in servicing the ventilation and air-conditioning systems,
and all others responsible for designing, operating and maintaining
the building environment. As research continues, amendments may
be made from time to time in subsequent editions.
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC HEALTH
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT
SINGAPORE

MEMBERS OF THE TECHNICAL ADVISORY

COMMITTEE ON INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Dr Goh Kee Tai

- Institute of Environmental Epidemiology

Ministry of the Environment
(Chairman)

Mr George Sze

- Public Works Department

Ministry of National Development

Dr Jimmy Sng

- Department of Pathology
Singapore General Hospital

A/Prof Bong Tet Yin

Mr Tan Chee Chuan

- Singapore Association of ASHRAE*

Members
- Institution of Engineers Singapore

Mr Lee Mun Hoe

- Singapore Institute of Architects

Mr Ong Thiam Huat

- Singapore Contractors Association

A/Prof Foo Swee Cheng - Department of Community, Occupational

and Family Medicine
National University of Singapore
Dr Tham Kwok Wai
Management
Dr Wang Guang Yu
and
Dr Ooi Peng Lim

- School of Building and Estate

National University of Singapore
- Singapore Institute of Standards
Industrial Research
(until 16 Mar 96)
- Institute of Environmental Epidemiology
Ministry of the Environment
(Secretary)

*American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers

GUIDELINES FOR GOOD

INDOOR AIR QUALITY
IN OFFICE PREMISES
PART I
PRELIMINARY
1.

Purpose

2.

Scope and application

3.

Glossary

Part I
PRELIMINARY
1

Purpose
1.1

The purpose of this document is to provide guidelines

for good indoor air quality.

Scope and application

2.1

This document applies to all buildings, new and

existing, which are air-conditioned and used as office
premises in Singapore.

2.2

The indoor air quality parameters addressed are

carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde,
ozone, volatile organic chemicals, total bacterial
counts, total fungal counts, suspended particulate
matter, air temperature, relative humidity, and air
movement.

2.3

Guideline maximum concentrations for acceptable

indoor air quality are specified for carbon dioxide,
carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and ozone based on
their known health effects.

2.4

Recommended
maximum
concentrations
for
acceptable indoor air quality are specified for
suspended particulate matter, volatile organic
chemicals, bacteria and fungi based on their potential
health effects.

2.5

Because human health and comfort are complex

issues responsive to the interaction of multiple factors,
guideline acceptable values are specified for indoor air
temperature, relative humidity, and air movement.

Glossary

3.1

ACMV system refers to the air-conditioning and

mechanical ventilation system of the building.

3.2

Acceptable indoor air quality refers to air in which there

are no known contaminants at harmful concentrations
as determined by the public health authorities, and
with which a substantial majority of the people
exposed do not express dissatisfaction.

3.3

Air-conditioning refers to the process of treating air to

meet the requirements of a conditioned space by
controlling its temperature, humidity, cleanliness and
distribution.

3.4

Air temperature refers to the dry-bulb temperature of

the air surrounding the occupant.

3.5

Building-related illness refers to any illness which

occurs directly as a result of human exposure to a
specific health hazard present in the building.

3.6

Contaminant refers to an unwanted airborne

constituent that may reduce acceptability of the indoor
air quality.

3.7

Indoor air refers to the air inside a building, including

air which is within a room and air which is removed
from a room by mechanical means.

3.8

Occupied zone refers to the region normally occupied

by persons within a space, generally considered to be
between the floor and 1.8 m above the floor, and more
than 0.6 m from the walls.

3.9

Outdoor air refers to the air in the external

surroundings.

3.10 Sick building syndrome refers to an excess of workrelated irritations of the skin and mucous membranes

10

and other symptoms (including headache and fatigue)

reported by occupants in modern office buildings.
3.11 Suspended particulate matter refers to the mass of
particles suspended in a unit volume of air when
collected by a high volume air sampler.
3.12 Ventilation refers to the process of supplying and
removing air by natural or mechanical means to and
from any space. Such air may or may not be
conditioned.

11

12

GUIDELINES FOR GOOD

INDOOR AIR QUALITY
IN OFFICE PREMISES
PART II
IDENTIFYING INDOOR AIR QUALITY PROBLEMS
4.

Assessment of indoor air quality problems

5.

Indoor air quality and health

6.

Action plan to achieve good indoor air quality

14

Part II
IDENTIFYING INDOOR AIR QUALITY
PROBLEMS
4

Assessment of indoor air quality problems

4.1

It should be the responsibility of the owner of the

building to:
(a)

assess the risks to health arising from the indoor

air quality;

(b)

set up a programme to ensure acceptable

indoor air quality, implement the programme,
and monitor the effectiveness of the programme;
and

(c)

keep records of all activities implemented.

4.2

The owner should ensure that the building inclusive of

its installations is designed, constructed, operated and
maintained in such a way that acceptable indoor air
quality is achieved.

4.3

Those engaged by the building owner to carry out the

assessment of any indoor air quality problems should
be competent persons who are adequately qualified
and experienced, and provide supervision for the
management of the indoor air quality programme.

Indoor air quality and health

15

5.1

Good indoor air quality improves productivity at the

workplace. On the other hand, poor indoor air quality
could lead to losses in productivity as a result of
comfort problems, ill health and sickness-absenteeism.

5.2

Building-related illness is said to occur when occupant

exposure to indoor contaminants results in a clinically
defined illness, disease or infirmity. Some common
indoor air contaminants and their sources are listed in
Appendix A. Those affected usually require prolonged
recovery after leaving the building.

5.3

Sick building syndrome is said to occur when a

substantial proportion of the occupants of a building
experience symptoms associated with acute
discomfort that are relieved upon leaving the premises.
The mechanisms are still not fully understood, but
indoor air quality is thought to be contributory. Those
affected typically recover completely soon after leaving
the building.

5.4

Factors affecting indoor air which can give rise to poor

air quality are: the presence of indoor pollution
sources; poorly designed, maintained or operated
ACMV systems; and uses of the building that were
unplanned for when the building was designed or
renovated.

Action plan to achieve good indoor air quality

6.1

In the event or on the suspicion that the indoor air

quality is not good, the following should be made
available for inspection during an investigation:
(a)

building plans showing the details of all the

floors, and location of the cooling towers and
fresh air inlets to the building;

16

(b)

ACMV system layout plans or schematics; and

(c)

ACMV system operating

maintenance records.

schedule

and

6.2

A walk-through inspection of the premises and the

ACMV system should be conducted by the competent
persons to identify possible irregularities. A sample
checklist for building inspection is provided in
Appendix B.

6.3

Feedback from occupants on the conditions in the

building and the operation of the ACMV system should
be obtained by the competent persons. A sample
confidential questionnaire which can be administered
to obtain information is provided in Appendix C.

6.4

Indoor air analysis, and any environmental or

biological sampling, should be conducted by the
competent persons if deemed necessary for the
investigation so that adjustments or alterations can be
made.

6.5

Based on the findings of (6.1)-(6.4), building remedial

measures should be formulated, implemented and
evaluated so that good indoor air quality can be
achieved and does not deteriorate again in future.

17

18

GUIDELINES FOR GOOD

INDOOR AIR QUALITY
IN OFFICE PREMISES
PART III
IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY
7.

Design

8.

Construction

9.

Commissioning and operation

10.

Renovation

11.

Maintenance

12.

Quality control

20

Part III
IMPROVING INDOOR AIR QUALITY
7

Design
7.1

A new or retrofitted building should be designed with

regard to the pollution which may arise within the
building. Unless a space has adequate openable
windows that can meet natural ventilation
requirements, the building should be provided with a
mechanical ventilation system that can be operated
when required to purge the indoor air from the space,
in addition to the air-conditioning system.

7.2

The ACMV system should be designed so that the

potential spread of contaminants in the building is kept
low. Materials used should not include those that emit
chemicals, bacteria or fungi to the supply air. Pollution
sources, or pollutive activities of frequent occurrence,
should be provided with such process ventilation of the
encapsulation, hood or local extraction type so that the
spread of contaminants is prevented.

7.3

Building materials and surface finishes should not

contain any substances that emit chemicals, bacteria
or fungi. They should be able to stand up to the
intended use and not cause any emission of
contaminants to the indoor air.

7.4

Water supply, drainage, sewerage and other

installations should be planned for construction in such
a way that the risk of leaks and consequential damage
caused by leaks is prevented.

7.5

Outdoor air intakes should be placed where the air

21

admitted is likely to be cleanest, taking into

consideration the outdoor air quality standards
specified in Appendix D, the position of the building,
the exhaust opening position, traffic routes, carparks,
unloading bays, refuse chutes and other nearby
sources of pollution. Intakes should not be located
below ground level or close to evaporative cooling
towers. Outdoor air filters should be placed as close
as possible to the intake points.
7.6

The building should be designed so that cleaning of

windows, doors, floors and other surfaces in contact
with supply air or room air is possible. Such surfaces
should be cleaned before the building is taken into
use. Surfaces which are likely to become heavily
soiled should be readily accessible and easily
cleanable.

Construction
8.1

At all stages of the construction of the building and its

ACMV system, inspections should be made by the
competent persons so that acceptable indoor air
quality can be secured when the system is put into
operation.

8.2

The building structure should be constructed in such a

way that harmful spread of contaminants from the
outside, the ground, or some other separate part of the
building does not occur.

8.3

In the construction of the ACMV system, the supply

and return air ducts should be made accessible for
inspection and cleaning. Components should be made
of materials which stand up to the intended use and
maintenance. Those which require attendance and
maintenance should be sited so that they are readily
accessible and replaceable, and mounted so that work

22

can be carried out easily and safely. To reduce dust

accumulation, the inner surfaces of the ducts for supply
and return air should be smooth and resistant to
abrasion.

8.4

Outdoor air for ventilation and indoor air that is to be

recirculated should be filtered for particulates. A filter
should be placed for outdoor air that is to be
introduced into an air handling unit room. The filter
should be protected from being wetted by sprays, rain,
etc. In placing the filters, there should be an adequate
seal between the air filters and the walls of the
surroundings ducts or units.

8.5

Installations unrelated to the ACMV system should not

be located in the air-handling unit rooms.

Commissioning and operation

9.1

Before a new or retrofitted building is commissioned

into service, it should be demonstrated that the ACMV
system has been constructed and is able to function in
the way intended. The entire ACMV system should be
cleared of any construction debris and dirt, and
cleaned before operation starts.

9.2

The specifications and operations of the ACMV system

should be in accordance with all provisions of the
Singapore Standard Code of Practice for Mechanical
Ventilation and Air-conditioning in Buildings (SS
CP13).

9.3

Unless there are strong pollutants sources, in which

case corrective action should be taken, the ventilation
rate should be sufficient to dilute or remove any

23

airborne contaminants to levels which comply with the

indoor air quality guideline values specified in
Appendix E. Where this is not possible, an air-purging
system should be activated to enable purging of the
contaminated air, routinely or as and when required.
9.4

It should be possible to assess at any time the

condition of the filter, including the pressure drop, the
contamination and the installation. The minimum
arrestance efficiency for the air filters for cleaning
outdoor and indoor air should be 60% and 80%,
respectively.

9.5

Instructions for the operation of the building and its

ACMV system should be drawn up in direct
cooperation with the operations and maintenance staff,
including all necessary information for satisfactory
ventilation of the rooms served. The instructions
manual for each ACMV system should include:
(a)

a schematic plan of the system;

(b)

its operation; and

(c)
9.6

9.7

10

the precautions to be taken specifying checks

and their frequency, and steps to be taken to
remedy defects and deficiencies.
Rooms where air handling units are situated should not
be used as passage ways or for storage. Where they
open to a source of contamination, the doors of the
rooms should remain air-tight. The inner surfaces of
the units and equipment should be easy to clean and
abrasion-resistant. Sufficient space for cleaning and
for access to the units should be provided.
Air distribution should be efficient, effective and
uniform to ensure no stagnation of air in dead spaces.

Renovation
10.1 Major renovation works should be undertaken in such

24

a way that a satisfactory indoor environment is

secured. Where relevant to the renovation works,
consideration should be given to (7.1)-(7.6) and (8.1)(8.5) in the stages of design and construction,
respectively.
10.2 Processes and activities should be selected so that
they have the lowest possible emission. Where
processes and activities which pollute the air cannot
be avoided, they should as far as possible be
encapsulated, provided with local extraction, carried
out in areas with direct exhaust to the exterior, or
limited to times when few people are exposed.
10.3 The building materials should not contain any toxic
substances which could pose a hazard to health when
used in the occupied building. Fittings, fixtures,
furnishings and furniture should be manufactured,
selected, handled, stored and used so that emission to
the room air is the least possible.
10.4 For occupied buildings undergoing partial renovation,
spaces to be renovated should be effectively isolated
from the occupied zones. If necessary, supply air
should be separated so that acceptable indoor air
quality
for
the
occupants
is
maintained.
Concentrations of formaldehyde, volatile organic
compounds, suspended particulate matter and other
contaminants in room air should be within the limits
specified in Appendix E.
10.5 After any major renovation to the building where the
air-conditioning system has been affected (eg. by
partitioning of office space), rebalancing of the air
distribution should be required.

11

Maintenance

25

11.1 Competent persons should be employed specifically to

ensure that regular maintenance of the building
inclusive of the ACMV system is carried out on a
routine basis. Maintenance staff should be familiar
with the prevention of any hazard arising from the
building.
11.2 The schedule of maintenance for the ACMV system
should be in accordance with the manufacturer's
recommendations to ensure that the equipment
operate efficiently. If this is not specified for any
component, the frequencies listed in (11.3)-(11.7)
should constitute the minimum requirements.
11.3 The building and its ACMV system should be
inspected at least every six months with regard to
functions which are significant for the indoor air quality.
Normal operation of the system should be monitored
so that it continues to operate at maximum efficiency
and breakdowns are avoided.
11.4 The ACMV system and the air handling unit room
should be cleaned and maintained in such a way that
the indoor air quality is not adversely affected by the
cleaning and maintenance. The components of airhandling units such as fans and dampers should be
cleaned at least every six months, depending on the
condition of the incoming air and use of the system.
Filters should be cleaned or replaced so that they are
performing properly at all times and do not become
clogged.
11.5 Cooling coils, condensate pipes and water trays
should be checked regularly for signs of sludge, algae
or rust build-up, chokage and leaks where water could
enter the airstream. Coils and condensate pipes
should be cleaned at least every six months. The
trays should be cleaned at least every one month to
ensure that contaminants do not build up. Any ferrous
metal surface should be treated with an anti-corrosion

26

coating. Re-circulating water should also be treated to

prevent rust but that treated water must not be allowed
to enter the airstream.
11.6 Cooling towers should be cleaned and treated in
accordance with guidelines specified in the Code of
Practice for the control of legionella bacteria in airconditioning cooling towers in Singapore (Ministry of
the Environment, August 1992).
11.7 The ACMV system should be checked and adjusted to
ensure correct air flow, temperature and humidity after
the first year of operation and at least every two
years thereafter. It should also be checked and
adjusted after any renovations or changes in floor
layout that might affect air distribution.
11.8 Records should be kept of all maintenance work when and what was done.

12

Quality control
12.1 An audit should be conducted by the competent
persons within six months after commencement of
operation of the ACMV system. The information for
such an audit is similar to that which is collected in
(6.1)-(6.4) when investigating an occurrence of
building-associated illness, but includes the entire
building rather than focusing on any area with an
identified problem.

27

12.2 During the normal operation of a building, an audit

should be conducted by the competent persons at
least every two years to ensure that the indoor air
quality is acceptable and conforms to the
specifications listed in Appendix E.
12.3 When indoor air testing is required to study if the air
quality complies with the relevant specifications, the
tests should be carried out by a laboratory accredited
under the Singapore Laboratory Accreditation Scheme.
12.4 The necessary plans, drawings and specifications on
the building and its installations should be kept by the
owner or the management corporation of the building,
and made available for inspection when necessary.
12.5 A formal record book containing adequate and
accurate information on the ACMV system should be
kept by the owner or the management corporation of
the building, and made available for inspection when
necessary. The information should include:
(a)

description of the air-conditioning system;

(b)

name of the building manager or person who

ensures that proper records are kept;

(c)

person or company who is responsible for the

assessment of risk, and implementing and
managing precautionary measures;

(d)

person or company carrying

maintenance programme; and

(e)

details of maintenance, including:

(i) date and result of visual inspection;
(ii) date and type of cleaning/treatment works
conducted; and
(iii) date and nature of any remedial works (if

28

out

the

required).

29

GUIDELINES FOR GOOD

INDOOR AIR QUALITY
IN OFFICE PREMISES
APPENDICES
A.

Some common indoor air contaminants

B.

Sample checklist for building inspection

C.

Sample confidential questionnaire for

building occupants

D.

Outdoor air quality standards

E.

Indoor air quality guidelines

F.

References

31

Appendix A
SOME COMMON INDOOR
AIR CONTAMINANTS

Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is present in the unpolluted

atmosphere at a concentration of about 0.03%
percent but since about 5% of the air we breathe
out is carbon dioxide the level increases in
inadequately ventilated occupied rooms. The
level of carbon dioxide is therefore often used to
assess the efficiency of ventilation. Outside
sources include vehicle exhaust fumes or other
exhausts.

Carbon monoxideAny process of combustion can produce carbon

monoxide, including cooking and tobacco
smoking. A major source of carbon monoxide is
vehicle exhaust.
Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a colourless gas with a

pungent odour. It is found in hundreds of
different products, including insulation material,
ceiling tiles, particle board, plywood, office
furniture, carpet glues, various plastics,
synthetic fibres in rugs, upholstery and other
textiles, pesticides, paint and paper. Levels of
emission increase with temperature.

Ozone

Ozone is naturally present in the air since

it is produced from oxygen by ultraviolet
radiation. However, it can also be produced by
electrical discharges and is emitted by some
items of electrical equipment such as
photocopiers and electrostatic precipitator
devices used to clean the air by removing dust.

32

Appendix B
SAMPLE CHECKLIST FOR
BUILDING INSPECTION

Note: A walk-through inspection should include the office premises,

its air-conditioning system and any other ventilation installations.
The purpose of the inspection is to identify irregularities. The
following checklist is provided as a guide and is not meant to be
exhaustive. Where necessary, assistance should be sought from
the building manager.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Human exposure and comfort levels

1.1

How many occupants are there in each work area?

1.2

What time are the occupants in the building?

1.3

Is the indoor temperature regulated by thermostats? Where

are they located? Have they been correctly positioned
following building alterations? Are they set to the correct
temperature?

1.4 Is there discomfort from heat radiation from visual display

units?
1.5

Is there discomfort due to radiant heat from warm window

surfaces?

1.6

Are temperature, relative humidity and air flow rates checked

regularly during working hours?

1.7 Does air reach all parts of the office or are there dead
spaces?

33

1.8

Are there any flickering fluorescent tubes? Are fluorescent

tubes regularly replaced before there are obvious signs of
wear?

1.9

Is the building still being used for the purpose it was

intended? Have partitions/walls been added or removed?
Have occupancy levels changed?

Potential sources of contaminants

2.1

Are there occupants smoking in any room or area?

2.2

Are there office equipment giving off gases or fumes? If so,

are the equipment supplied with separate exhaust
ventilation? Does the exhaust convey air to the exterior of
the building or into corridors or into the air-conditioning
system?

2.3

Are there furniture, furnishings, carpets, etc. that emit

noticeable odours? Have detergents, pesticides or other
chemicals been used in the building?

2.4

Are renovation works being undertaken in any part of the

building? Are they done during working hours?

2.5

Is there a kitchen or pantry where cooking is done?

exhaust ventilation provided there?

2.6

Is the building adequately cleaned? Is regular dusting of

office furniture, ledges, shelves, etc. carried out to help keep
dust to a minimum? Are the carpets vacuum-cleaned
regularly?

Ventilation and air-conditioning

34

Is

3.1

How many supply air and extract air vents are there in each
room or area? Is there at least one each in every room?

3.2

Are vents located in positions that will permit the best air
circulation?

3.3

Are supply air or extract air vents blocked in any way by

partitions, files or other structures that obstruct air flow? Has
dust collected around the air vents?

3.4 Is the air-conditioning system turned off any time during the
day?
3.5

Is the system turned off after office hours? Are there still
occupants in the building after office hours?

33.6 Where is the outdoor air intake duct located? Is it near the
cooling tower in this building or is it near adjacent buildings?
Is it at street level or near a car park? Is it blocked up? Are
heavy industries located nearby? Is there any construction
work going on nearby? Is outdoor air actually getting into the
building?
3.7

Are filters being used? Are they adequate? Are they being
bypassed? How often are they cleaned or replaced?

3.8

Is there a regular schedule for cleaning and maintenance of

the air-conditioning system in the building? Are all the
components of the air-conditioning system regularly
inspected for leaks, breaches, etc.?

35

Appendix C
SAMPLE CONFIDENTIAL
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR
BUILDING OCCUPANTS

To the occupant: This short questionnaire has been given to you to

help determine the existence of health problems, if any, that may be
related to the office environment. Your answers will remain
confidential. Please complete the form as accurately as possible
before returning to us. Thank you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Demographic information

1.1

Sex: Male / Female

1.2

Age:

1.3

Marital status: Single / Married

1.4

Ethnic group: Chinese / Malay / Indian / Other

Environmental conditions

2.1

Type of workstation: Enclosed room / Open concept

2.2

No. of people who share your workstation:

2.3

How is your area air-conditioned?

Central unit / Local unit

2.4

How is your workstation lighted?

Fluorescent lighting / Non-fluorescent lighting

36

2.5 Please indicate if you

equipment:
Typewriter
Never
Video display unit Never
Photocopier
Never
Fax machine
weekly / Never

work with or near the following

Everyday / 2-3 times weekly /
Everyday / 2-3 times weekly /
Everyday / 2-3 times weekly /
-

Everyday

2-3

times

2.6

Please rate the following conditions at your workstation:

Noise
Too much / Just right / Too little
Humidity
Too much / Just right / Too little
Lighting
Too much / Just right / Too little
Air movement
Too much / Just right / Too little
Temperature
Too hot / Just right / Too cold

2.7

Do you have to put on extra clothing for comfort?

Regularly / Sometimes / Never

2.8

Does the office air have an unpleasant odour?

Regularly / Sometimes / Never

2.9 Does the office air feel stuffy?

Never

Regularly / Sometimes /

Nature of occupation

3.1

No. of hours spent per day at your main workstation:

3.2 Please rate how you find the stress in your working
conditions:
Physical stress experience
Low
/

37

Moderate / High
Mental stress experience
Climate of cooperation at work 3.3

Low / Moderate / High

Low / Moderate / High

What is your job category?

Managerial / Professional / Secretarial / Clerical / Other
(if Other, specify):

38

Health complaints

4.1

Please indicate your experience of the following symptoms at

work during the past one month:
Headache
Daily / 2-3 times weekly / Less
Lethargy
Daily / 2-3 times weekly / Less
Drowsiness
Daily / 2-3 times weekly / Less
Dizziness
Daily / 2-3 times weekly / Less
Nausea/vomiting Daily / 2-3 times weekly / Less
Shortness of breath
Daily / 2-3 times weekly /

Less

Stuffy nose
Dry throat
Skin rash/itchiness Eye irritation
-

Daily / 2-3 times weekly / Less

Daily / 2-3 times weekly / Less
Daily / 2-3 times weekly / Less
Daily / 2-3 times weekly / Less

4.2

No. of days in the past one month that you had to take off
work because of these complaints:

4.3

When do these complaints occur?

Mornings / Afternoons / No noticeable trend

4.4

When do you experience relief from these complaints? After

I leave my workstation / After I leave the building / Never

4.5

Please indicate if you have any of these medical conditions:

Asthma? Yes, on medication / Yes, not on medication / No
Allergy? Yes, on medication / Yes, not on medication / No
Sinus? Yes, on medication / Yes, not on medication / No
Migraine? Yes, on medication / Yes, not on medication / No

4.6

If female, are you currently pregnant? Yes / No / Not sure

39

Appendix D
OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
1

USEPA primary air quality standards

Parameter
Averaging time
Conc.
Method

Gaseous pollutants
Sulphur dioxide

Annual mean
24 hours

Carbon monoxide 8 hours

80 g/m3 Pararosaniline
3
365 g/m Pulsed
Fluorescence
9 ppm

1 hour

35 ppm

Nitrogen dioxide Annual mean

Chemilumi-

100

Ozone
Ultraviolet

12

1 hour

Nondispersive
Infrared
Spectrometry
g/m3
nescence
pphm
Photometry

Particulate pollutants
Respirable
suspended
particles

Annual mean
24 hours

50 g/m3 High
Volume
3
150 g/m Sampling

1.5 g/m3 Atomic

Absorption
Spectroscopy

Lead

3 months

40

World Health Organization long term goals

Parameter
Averaging time
Conc. Method

Gaseous pollutants
Carbon monoxide 8 hours

9 ppm

Nondispersive
Infrared
Spectrometry

1 hour

35 ppm

Nitrogen dioxide

1 hour not to
be exceeded
more than once
a month

0.1-0.17 ppm

Ozone

1 hour
8 hours

6 pphm
Neutral
3 pphm
Potassium
Iodide

Particulate pollutants
Smoke
British

Annual mean
(90% of
observation
below this
limit)

40

g/m3

Standard
Procedure
(BS 1747
Pt 2, 1964)

41

Appendix E
INDOOR AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES
1

Assessment of indoor air quality parameters

(a)

Sample position
The sampling probe should be located between 75
and 120 cm from the floor at the centre of the room or
an occupied zone.

(b)

Number of sampling points

Indoor
At least one sample should be taken from each floor or
from each area serviced by a separate air handling
unit. For large floor spaces, the guidelines for the
minimum required number of sampling points are as
follows:

Area of building (m2)

Minimum number of
sampling points

3,000 - <5,000
5,000 - <10,000
10,000 - <15,000
15,000 - <20,000
20,000 - <30,000
30,000 or more

8
12
15
18
21
25

42

Outdoor
At least two samples should be taken at the entrance
to the building or at the entrance of the fresh air intake.

2
Guideline
maximum
concentrations
specific
indoor air contaminants

for

Parameter
Averaging
Limit for
Unit
time
acceptable
indoor air
quality

Carbon dioxide

8 hours

1800
1000

mg/m3
ppm

Carbon monoxide

8 hours

10
9

mg/m3
ppm

Formaldehyde

8 hours

120
0.1

g/m3
ppm

Ozone
g/m3

8 hours

100
0.05

ppm

Note
The guidelines specified have a wide
margin of safety such that even if they are

43

exceeded occasionally, toxic effects are

unlikely to occur.

44

Recommended maximum concentrations for

specific classes of contaminants

Parameter
Limit for
Unit
acceptable
indoor air
quality

Suspended particulate matter*

150

Volatile organic compounds**

g/m3
ppm

Total bacterial counts

500

CFU***/m3

Total fungal counts

500

CFU/m3

*respirable particles with aerodynamic diameters less than 10 m

sampled with a size selective device (commonly used devices;
cyclones and impactors) having a median cut size of 4 m and the
following penetration characteristics:

Particle aerodynamic
Respirable particulate
diameter, m
mass, %

0
100
1
97
2
91
3
74
4
50
5
30

45

6
7
8
10

17
9
5
1

**total photoionisable compounds, reference to toluene

***colony-forming units

4
Guideline
parameters

values

for

specific

physical

Parameter
Range for
Unit
acceptable
indoor air
quality

Air temperature

22.5-25.5

Relative humidity

< 70

Air movement*

< 0.25

m/s

*at workstation within occupied zone

46

Appendix F
REFERENCES
1.

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

Guidelines for the assessment of bioaerosols in the indoor
environment. ACGIH, Cincinnati, 1989.

2.

American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

1994-1995 threshold limit values for chemical substances
and physical agents and biological exposure indices.
ACGIH, Cincinnati, 1994.

3.

ASHRAE Standard 55-92: Thermal environment conditions

for human occupancy.
American Society of Heating,
Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, 1992.

4.

ASHRAE Standard 62-89: Ventilation for acceptable indoor

air quality. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and
Air-conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, 1989.

5.

Australian Standard 1668.2-1991 and 1668.2 Supp1-1991:

The use of mechanical ventilation and air-conditioning in
buildings, Part 2: mechanical ventilation for acceptable
indoor air quality.
Standards Association of Australia,
Sydney, 1991.

6.

British Standard BS 6540: Part 1: Air filters used in airconditioning and general ventilation.
British Standards
Institution, 1985.

7.

Danish Building Research Institute. SBI Report 212: Indoor

climate and air quality problems - investigation and remedy,
Horsholm, 1990.

8.

Department of National Health and Welfare, Canada.

Guidelines for residential indoor air quality, Ottawa, 1987.

47

9.

European Concerted Action "Indoor Air Quality and Its Impact

on Man". Report No 6: Strategy for sampling chemical
substances in indoor air. Office for Publications of the
European Communities, Luxembourg, 1989.

10.

European Concerted Action "Indoor Air Quality and Its Impact

on Man".
Report No 11: Guidelines for ventilation
requirements in buildings. Office for Publications of the
European Communities, Luxembourg, 1992.

11.

London Hazards Centre. Sick building syndrome: causes,

effects and control. London Hazards Centre Trust Ltd, 1990.

12.

Ministry of Health and Welfare, Japan. Japanese legislation

of building management (translation), Tokyo, 1983.

13.

Nordic Committee on Building Regulations. Publication No

61E: Indoor climate - air quality, 1991.

14.

Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning.

General Guidelines 1992:3E: Checking the performance of
ventilation systems, 1992.

15.

US Environmental Protection Agency and US Consumer

Product Safety Commission. The inside story: a guide to
indoor air quality. Office of Air and Radiation, Washington
DC, 1988.

16.

World Health Organisation. EURO Reports and Studies 103:

Indoor air quality research. WHO Regional Office for
Europe, Copenhagen, 1986.

17.

World Health Organisation. European Series No 23: Air

quality guidelines for Europe. WHO Regional Office for
Europe, Copenhagen, 1987.

48