INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY, OCCUPANT PERCEPTION, SATISFACTION, IMPORTANCE AND SICK BUILDING SYNDROME SYMPTOMS OF OCCUPANTS MOVING FROM A NON- GREEN MARK RATED TO A GREEN MARK PLATINUM RATED OFFICE BUILDING

Abstract

There have been various measures Singapore has adopted to encourage better indoor environmental quality (IEQ). One of such measures is through the implementation of green mark rating scheme. However, various studies have shown that green buildings may or may not provide better indoor environmental quality. This research study aimed to compare the IEQ parameters with the relevant Singapore Standards, occupants’ perception, satisfaction and importance of IEQ as well as the sick building syndrome experienced after relocation from a non-Green Mark rated building to a Green Mark Platinum rated building. Forty-seven employees from the non-Green Mark buildings and thirty-three employees from the Green Mark Platinum building were surveyed for the investigation. This is followed by collecting other relevant information pertaining to the offices and SBS symptoms. The findings suggest that on the whole, both buildings delivered acceptable IEQ parameters, other than the non-Green Mark rated building has lower Co2, HCHO and bacteria level, had lower temperature (about 1-2oC cooler), had higher light and sound pressure levels. Statistical data has shown that there were significant differences in IEQ perceptions where the green mark building was cooler (p=0.000), air velocity was better (p=0.051), air quality was fresher (p=0.000), daylight was much more (p=0.002), and better sound pressure level (p=0.037). Furthermore, the employees were more satisfied in terms of air velocity (p=0.015), relative humidity (p=0.002), air quality (p=0.000) and daylight (p=0.018). However, there were no differences in occupants’ importance level of IEQ between both buildings (p= >0.05). Findings also suggest that there were statistical difference in tiredness (p=0.006), difficulty in concentration (p=0.009), irritated throat or cough (p=0.012) and sleepiness (p=0.033). Correlations also exist between some IEQ parameters and sick building syndrome symptoms (p= <0.05) between the buildings but also show the possibility of the existence of third variables. All statistical analysis was taken at a 95% confidence level. The regression results also show that the IEQ parameters influence the perception and satisfaction level in both buildings. It was concluded that generally Green Mark Platinum building perform better than non-Green Mark rated building in certain parameters pertaining to IEQ, occupants’ perception, satisfaction, importance as well as sick building syndrome, but these findings were not affirmative due to the attribution of certain limitations which existed while conducting the studies. Two matrixes were proposed using the results of the findings as well as recommendations made to sum up the whole study.