An assessment of indoor air quality and thermal comfort in sheltered accommodation in Belfast

Thermal comfort and indoor air quality is of growing concern in the current building industry. For more susceptible groups such as older people, the risks associated with inadequate interior environmental quality are more severe. This research focuses on the identification of current interior environmental conditions in sheltered accommodation in Belfast. The methodology adopted includes the measurement of interior relative humidity, carbon dioxide and temperature levels between the periods of 8.00am and 5.00pm. Interviews were also carried out to gain qualitative information on perceived comfort and indoor air quality. This research found that 83% of sheltered accommodations assessed failed to maintain an internal temperature within the WHO’s recommended limits (20 - 24°C). Furthermore, 67% of buildings measured recorded relative humidities above ASHRAE’s recommended limit of 60%RH. Thus this study argues the need for a review of interior environmental quality in sheltered accommodation and recommends further research to identify the extent of the problem.