INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, OCCUPANTS' PERCEPTION, PREVALENCE OF SBS SYMPTOMS AND SICK LEAVE IN A GREEN MARK PLATINUM VERSUS A NON-GREEN MARK RATED BUILDING

Abstract

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) Green Mark Scheme (GMS) in Singapore encourages better Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) for healthier workplace for occupants. However, studies have shown that green buildings do not necessary ensure better IEQ. Hence, the objectives of this dissertation are: (1) evaluate IEQ of a Green Mark certified building and a non-Green Mark certified building, (2) assess occupants’ perceptions, occurrence of Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) symptoms and determine if occupants in Green Mark certified building took lesser sick leave as compared to a non-Green Mark certified building, and (3) examine the energy saving features in both buildings to ascertain if they have an impact on IEQ.

The research hypotheses are (1) a Green Mark certified building produces better IEQ than a non-Green Mark certified building, (2) occupants working in a Green Mark certified building will experience higher IEQ satisfaction and lesser prevalence of SBS symptoms as compared to users in a non-Green Mark building, (3) occupants in a Green Mark building take lesser sick leave as compared to a non-Green Mark building.

Objective measurements and subjective measurements were carried out. Information regarding the offices and absenteeism of staff were collected as well.

There is insufficient evidence to conclude that a Green mark certified building produces better IEQ than a non-Green Mark certified building. Findings from subjective measurements suggested that there are significant difference in occupants’ perception in temperature, air quality, monitor/keyboard comfort and ergonomics. However, there is no statistically significant association between the SBS symptoms and the offices. Furthermore, analysis of the sick leave records have failed to show that occupants in Green Mark Platinum certified building took lesser sick leave days as compared to a non-Green Mark building.

Limitation of this study include that these results cannot be extended to all the commercial buildings in Singapore as objective measurements were taken when most of the employees in the green building were out-stationed and also, employees in the green building may not have adapted to the new environment.