Prihatmanti, Rani and Bahauddin, Azizi
(2014)
Indoor Air Quality In Adaptively Reused Heritage Buildings At A
Unesco World Heritage Site, Penang, Malaysia.
Journal of Construction in Developing Countries , 19 (1).
pp. 69-91.
ISSN 1823-6499
Abstract
This study investigated the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) level in heritage buildings that
have been adaptively reused as office buildings. These buildings are located within the
vicinity of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in George Town, Penang. The aim of this study
was to determine the IAQ level in the designated buildings using thermal monitoring and
chemical and microbial tests. Mixed methods were used in this cross-sectional study to
achieve the objectives. The IAQ tests variables were the temperature, relative humidity, air
velocity, airborne pollutants (Particle Matter 10 [PM10], carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
and formaldehyde), total bacteria count and total fungal count. These variables were
adopted from the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality, Department of
Occupational Health Malaysia and the Malaysian Green Building Index–Non Residential
Existing Building (NREB) rating tool. The measurements show that the IAQ level in the
identified buildings was unacceptable within the standards stipulated. Dampness stains and
mould were present in all buildings due to high humidity and moisture levels. It can be
concluded that the IAQ level was due to inappropriate adaptive reuse practices, the
occupants' activities and maintenance irregularities.
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