On the Performance of Diffuse Ceiling Ventilation in Classrooms: A Pre-Occupancy Study at a School in Southern Sweden

Abstract

The implementation and application of diffused ceiling ventilation (DCV) is gradually gaining momentum, especially in Denmark, Finland, and the Netherlands. In countries such as Sweden, the application is limited despite the favorable conditions for implementation. The current study investigates the performance of DCV and mixing ventilation in a pre-occupancy field study for newly renovated classrooms in Southern Sweden. Two classrooms at the school were installed with diffuse ceiling ventilation while the rest had mixing ventilation. The objective of the study was to compare and evaluate the ventilation performance in terms of indoor environmental quality parameters such as thermal comfort, air quality indexes, airflow, and temperature distribution. Pre-occupancy measurements were performed in two classrooms with similar room characteristics, with one room running under mixing ventilation and the other under DCV. Constant temperature anemometers, thermocouples, and INNOVA thermal comfort were used to measure the indoor air speeds, temperature, and thermal comfort, respectively. Tracer gas measurements, with SF6, were performed to assess air quality. Additionally acoustic measurements were conducted to assess the acoustic benefits of DCV on reducing ventilation noise. The results demonstrate that DCV offers similar indoor environmental conditions to mixing ventilation but has better acoustic performance especially on reducing the ventilation noise. Indoor environmental conditions were very homogeneous under DCV with mixing ventilation showing tendencies for short circuit ventilation. This study demonstrates that DCV has a potential for implementation in Swedish schools with minimal system modification on existing ventilation and air distribution systems.

Toward Sustainable Indoor Environments: Assessing the Impact of Thermal Insulation Measures on Air Quality in Buildings—A Case Study in Temuco, Chile

“…The significant presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), coupled with unfavorable humidity conditions, underscores the need for more holistic approaches addressing not only energy efficiency but also residents' health. The findings emphasize the complexity of balancing energy efficiency with indoor air quality, underscoring the importance of designing sustainable strategies that simultaneously address these crucial aspects to ensure habitable and healthy environments [46]. In this context, the study highlights the urgency of implementing sustainable policies and practices that promote significant improvements in both air quality and the overall well-being of the population, This study constitutes a crucial contribution at the intersection of environmental sustainability and health by examining the implications of thermal insulation measures implemented within the framework of the Atmospheric Decontamination Plan (PDA) in Temuco, Chile.…”