A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
The Impact of Window-Opening Behaviors on Indoor Air Quality and Human Exposure During a Wildfire
While exposed to wildfire smoke, occupants are suggested to keep windows closed, according to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Nevertheless, it is not always rational to follow the guidance when occupants’ risk perception is complicated by other contextual situations, such as when natural ventilation air is the only option for cooling. In this study, we analyzed the impact of window-opening behaviors on indoor PM2.5 concentration in a small office building located in Duchesne, Utah, during a wildfire in 2020. Two behaviors of the window operation were considered in the CONTAM simulation, (1) windows always closed and (2) windows operated based on a behavior model in the literature. The results show that the daily average indoor/outdoor (I/O) PM2.5 ratio during weekdays (8 AM–6 PM) was 0.12 ± 0.03 (Mean ± Std) and 0.21 ± 0.06 for windows always closed and windows operated with the behavior model, respectively. The corresponding indoor PM2.5 exposure level was 1.01 ± 0.58 µg/m3 and 1.76 ± 1.02 µg/m3 for the two conditions, respectively. The findings suggest the significance of occupant behaviors in assessing indoor air quality and exposure during wildfires.
The Impact of Window-Opening Behaviors on Indoor Air Quality and Human Exposure During a Wildfire
While exposed to wildfire smoke, occupants are suggested to keep windows closed, according to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Nevertheless, it is not always rational to follow the guidance when occupants’ risk perception is complicated by other contextual situations, such as when natural ventilation air is the only option for cooling. In this study, we analyzed the impact of window-opening behaviors on indoor PM2.5 concentration in a small office building located in Duchesne, Utah, during a wildfire in 2020. Two behaviors of the window operation were considered in the CONTAM simulation, (1) windows always closed and (2) windows operated based on a behavior model in the literature. The results show that the daily average indoor/outdoor (I/O) PM2.5 ratio during weekdays (8 AM–6 PM) was 0.12 ± 0.03 (Mean ± Std) and 0.21 ± 0.06 for windows always closed and windows operated with the behavior model, respectively. The corresponding indoor PM2.5 exposure level was 1.01 ± 0.58 µg/m3 and 1.76 ± 1.02 µg/m3 for the two conditions, respectively. The findings suggest the significance of occupant behaviors in assessing indoor air quality and exposure during wildfires.
The Impact of Window-Opening Behaviors on Indoor Air Quality and Human Exposure During a Wildfire
Environ Sci Eng
Wang, Liangzhu Leon (editor) / Ge, Hua (editor) / Zhai, Zhiqiang John (editor) / Qi, Dahai (editor) / Ouf, Mohamed (editor) / Sun, Chanjuan (editor) / Wang, Dengjia (editor) / Guo, Xingtong (author) / Yan, Shujie (author) / Wang, Chao (author)
International Conference on Building Energy and Environment ; 2022
Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Building Energy and Environment ; Chapter: 248 ; 2299-2302
2023-09-05
4 pages
Article/Chapter (Book)
Electronic Resource
English
| Taylor & Francis Verlag | 2024
| European Patent Office | 2023