Ventilation/odor study, field study. Final report, Volume I
The results are presented of field investigations in schools, hospitals, and an office building on the relation between ventilation rate and odor within the buildings. The primary objective of the study was to determine: the reduction in ventilation rates that could be achieved in public buildings without causing adverse effects on odor; the sources of odor in public buildings; and the identity of the odorants. The variables of particular interest include: type of odor, occupant density, odorant identity and concentration, differences in impressions between occupants adapted to prevailing conditions and visitors, and the influence of temperature and humidity on both the generation and perception of common contaminants. Sensory odor measurements, chemical measurements, fresh air ventilation measurements, and acceptability evaluations via questionnaires were made. Sensory odor levels were found to be quite low in most buildings tested. A three-to-five-fold reduction in the fresh air ventilation in schools, hospitals, and office buildings can be achieved without significantly affecting perceived odor intensities or detectability. Tobacco smoking was found to be the most significant, pervasive contributor to interior odor level. Total hydrocarbon content of indoor air varies directly with ventilation rates; odor, however, does not. The complete set of reduced data are contained in Volume II. (LEW)
- Research Organization:
- TRC Environmental Consultants, Wethersfield, CT (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6369870
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-12632
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
320102 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Office Buildings-- (-1987)
320103* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- School
Municipal
& Other Public Buildings-- (-1987)
AEROSOLS
AIR FLOW
BUILDINGS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
FIELD TESTS
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
HOSPITALS
HYDROCARBONS
MEDICAL CENTERS
OCCUPANTS
ODOR
OFFICE BUILDINGS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES
PUBLIC BUILDINGS
RESIDUES
SAMPLING
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
SMOKES
SOLS
SURVEYS
TESTING
TOBACCO SMOKES
VENTILATION