A STUDY ON THE INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES USING IOT SENSORS

Abstract

In light of rapid urbanization and the rise of sustainability, smart buildings that optimize productivity have never been more important. Buildings play a huge role in creating a more sustainable society as they consume one of the highest amounts of energy. Sustainable buildings provide an optimal environment for its users to carry out their activities while being mindful about energy consumption. Usually, offices are the targeted building type for improving user productivity and energy efficiency. However, more attention needs to be placed on academic libraries in universities as they are where students spend most of their time. At the same time, technology has been rapidly advancing and more governments are aiming to build smart nations. Smart nations leverage on the advancement of technology to collect data and improve the lives of citizens. This study aims to marry the two concepts. Internet of Things (IoT) sensors will be used in this study to collect information on the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) of a university library. The sensors will be able to collect data of 6 different parameters, namely, light, noise, temperature, humidity, volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide. Building performance will then be analysed and recommendations for improvements will be reported. Generally, the results have shown that university libraries are within the recommended comfort levels. However, more can be done to optimize wellness and reduce energy consumption.