CO₂–Based Demand–Controlled Ventilation and Its Implications for Interior Design

Abstract

CO 2 -based demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) is a ventilation method that resets outdoor air supply rates using CO 2 as an operating parameter (ASHRAE, 2007a). Even though CO 2 itself is not harmful, high levels of CO 2 concentration in indoor environments displace oxygen in the air and can cause a deficiency of oxygen for breathing. The most important aspect of CO 2 in DCV is that it is a good indicator of occupancy in indoor spaces. Therefore, CO 2 is an effective parameter for controlling ventilation based on occupancy level. CO 2 -based DCV has been increasingly used in recent years to optimize the energy consumption in ventilation systems as technological advances make its implementation more feasible and interest in environmentally responsible building design grows. This study aims to provide information about CO 2 -based DCV and suggest implications for interior design practitioners and educators. To achieve this purpose, this study reviewed previous studies and examined the current practices in CO 2 -based DCV in order to suggest guidelines for CO 2 -based DCV implementation for interior designers. The guidelines focused on proper CO 2 sensor location design, taking into consideration the activities and other equipment in the room. In addition, a study of CO 2 -based DCV in the lecture halls of a university campus was conducted. Physical measurements were done in the lecture halls, and trends data were collected from the university's facility management department to compare the measurements. A perceived indoor environmental quality survey was also done to explore the occupants' responses about CO 2 -based DCV.This study aims to provide information on CO 2 -based demand-controlled ventilation (DCV), an emerging technology for environmentally responsible interior design, in order to help interior designers understand the technology and its impact on building users.

Effects of Positioning of Multi-Sensor Devices on Occupancy and Indoor Environmental Monitoring in Single-Occupant Offices

“…Moreover, these sensors should not be installed where occupants directly breathe on them to prevent overly high measurements [59]. CO 2 sensor might be susceptible to error when used for occupancy detection due to slow response time, fluctuations in ambient CO 2 levels, ventilation rate, and door status (open or closed) [60].…”

“…Various sensor technologies are used to measure temperature, such as thermocouples and resistive temperature detectors [63]. It is generally recommended that temperature sensors are not installed near doors and open windows on the exterior walls, near heating and cooling systems [43,59]. RH is another parameter affecting the human perception of environmental comfort, which is also included in the PMV model [63].…”

Smart interior design of buildings and its relationship to land use

“…However, architectural and interior designs are often undervalued as activities with influence in promoting building sustainability. Nevertheless, several authors associate interior design to several key sustainability issues, such as energy consumption, indoor air quality (Lee, 2012;Sorrento, 2012), the selection of sustainable materials (McCoy, 2012) and daylight (Day, Theodorson, & Van Den Wymelenberg, 2012). Sorrento (2012) also points out that the user requirements, health, safety, welfare and productivity are the concern of the interior designer (Sorrento, 2012), strengthening the connection between interior design and sustainability goals.…”

Occupant monitoring, modelling, and simulation to improve office design and operation

“…Previous studies revealed the differences of age and gender of occupants in their perception of comfort. For instance, Lee (2012) discovered that female and older occupants were less satisfied with the thermal conditions of their environments. The number of people in a space should also be documented, as it has been shown to affect light switching, thermal comfort, and perceived controls of temperature.…”

“…For instance, temperature sensors may be located on the exterior walls of spaces, near heating or cooling systems, or direct solar insolation (Figure 3.13 and Figure 3.14) might be incident on them. CO 2 sensors might be located where occupants breathe directly on them (Lee, 2012) and relative humidity sensors may be located near humidity sources. Or, occupants may unintentionally or intentionally locate heating, cooling, and humidity sources near sensors (see Furthermore, built-in connected sensors may be unintentionally obstructed by furniture or even intentionally obstructed by occupants to override undesirable controls.…”