COMPARATIVE STUDY OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY BETWEEN PEAK AND NON-PEAK OCCUPANCY PERIODS IN A DANCE STUDIO

Abstract

Much research has been conducted on the topic of indoor air quality, with a heavier focus on schools and offices, but little on dance studios. With more people taking up dancing as a form of exercise, there is increasing concern about the impact of indoor air quality on the health of dancers. This study focuses on the indoor air quality of dance studios. The objectives are : (a) determine the variability of the indoor air quality of the studio during the peak and non-peak occupancy period (b) compare the objective results against the guidelines in SS554 :2009 (c) to investigate the factors that affects indoor air quality, thermal comfort and (d) propose recommendations to improve the indoor air quality of the dance studio. Experiments were conducted in the dance studio during periods of peak and non-peak occupancy. Data and samples were collected through objective and subjective measurements. From the objectively measured data, the status of the indoor air quality was analysed and evaluated. From the subjectively measured (survey) data, insights from the respondents with regards to thermal comfort and perceived indoor air quality was understood. However, due to the small sample size, an association between the objective and subjective measurements could not be established. Only a weak correlation was obtained between thermal versus air quality, and cleanliness versus air quality. A comparison between the three case studies shows that the indoor air quality during a period of non-peak occupancy is preferred.