THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VENTILATION STRATEGY AT THE WOODLANDS REGIONAL BUS INTERCHANGE

Abstract

In a hot and humid country like Singapore, ventilation is even more important for a naturally ventilated area/building. Ventilation helps to improve thermal comfort and air quality in such premises. There is a wide variety of ventilation strategies which can be adopted. Ventilation system should therefore be designed effectively and never be neglected.

The Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange was built 16 years ago with no major changes to the ventilation system since it was first installed. This dissertation aims to determine whether the ventilation strategy adopted at the Woodlands Regional Interchange is still effective after all these years.

The effectiveness of the ventilation system are tested based on 2 main parameters, thermal comfort and air quality. For thermal comfort, air temperature, relative humidity and air velocity will be measured whereas for air quality, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), particulate matter, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide concentration will be sampled. These results are compared with various guidelines and standards to determine the level of effectiveness of the ventilation system.

Results show that the ventilation system at the Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange is still effective and no major remedial measures are required at the interchange. In conclusion, well-design ventilation system with no substantial changes to the immediate environment of the bus interchange enable the ventilation strategy adopted to remain effective.