EUROPEAN INDOOR AIR-QUALITY AUDIT PROJECT IN 56 OFFICE BUILDINGS

A European project started at the end of 1992, in which, in addition t o current methods, trained sensory panels were used to investigate off ice buildings all over Europe. The main aim of this EC-Audit was to de velop assessment procedures and guidance on ventilation and source con trol, to help optimize energy use in buildings while assuring good ind oor air quality. In each of nine countries, six or more office buildin gs were selected. Measurements were performed at five selected locatio ns in each building. The buildings were studied while normally occupie d and ventilated to identify the pollution sources in the spaces and t o quantify the total pollution load caused by the occupants and their activities, as well as the ventilation systems. The investigation incl uded physical and chemical measurements, assessment of the perceived a ir quality in the spaces by a trained sensory panel, and measurement o f the outdoor air supply to the spaces. A questionnaire for evaluating retrospective and immediate symptoms and perceptions was given to the occupants of the buildings. The building characteristics were describ ed by use of a check-list. The annual energy consumption of the buildi ngs and the weather conditions were registered. This paper presents re sults and conclusions of the audit in 56 buildings in Europe. However, the analysis and discussions of the results are a summary of the work done, and are focused mainly on comparison between sensory assessment s and the other measurements performed. Furthermore, this paper brings the results of the study based on a two-factor analysis. A paper deal ing with results on a multifactorial analysis is in preparation. (C) I ndoor Air (1996).