part 5 – indoor environmental qualityrachel-carson.arc.cmu.edu/uploads/singapore_ieq.pdf · part...

FALL 2013// 48795 A2// LEED: Green Design

& Building Rating in a Global Context SINGAPORE GREENPLAN RATING SYSTEM

PART 5 – INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

SGIEQP1// MINIMUM INDOOR AIR QUALITY PERFORMANCE

(Pre-Requisites/LEED V4)

Background No pre‑requisite was specified fro GreenMark standard, Singapore has its own code of practice for

Indoor air Quality for Air Conditioned Buildings, SS 554:2009, which also includes specification for

indoor and outdoor air supply quality. The code of practice was adopted from ASHRAE 62.1 and

therefore is very similar to the stated pre‑requisites in LEED 4.0. With its stringent rule and

enforcement, Singapore has maintained the code of law very effectively. Nevertheless, GreenPlan

adopted a minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance pre‑requisite to further boost and raise the

awareness of the importance of air quality performance.

Objectives

To contribute to the comfort and well‑being of building occupants by establishing minimum standards for Indoor

Air Quality (IAQ).



Requirement

Mechanically Ventilated Spaces

For mechanically ventilated spaces (and for mixed‑mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is

activated), determine the minimum outdoor air intake flow for mechanical ventilation systems using

the ventilation rate procedure from ASHRAE 62.1–2010 or a local equivalent, whichever is more

stringent.

Option 1. ASHRAE Standard 62.1–2010 or SS 553 : 2009

Meet the minimum requirements of ASHRAE Standard 62.1–2010, Sections 4–7, Ventilation for Acceptable

Indoor Air Quality (with errata), or a local equivalent, such as SS 553:2009, whichever is more stringent.

Option 2. CEN Standards EN 15251–2007 and EN 13779–2007

Meet the minimum requirements of Annex B of Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN) Standard

EN 15251–2007, Indoor environmental input parameters for design and assessment of energy

performance of buildings addressing indoor air quality, thermal environment, lighting and acoustics;

and the requirements of CEN Standard EN 13779–2007, Ventilation for nonresidential buildings,

Performance requirements for ventilation and room conditioning systems, excluding Section 7.3,

Thermal environment; 7.6, Acoustic environment; A.16; and A.17.

Mechanically Ventilated Spaces Monitoring

For mechanically ventilated spaces (and for mixed‑mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is

activated), monitor outdoor air intake flow as follows:

• For variable air volume systems, provide a direct outdoor airflow measurement device capable

of measuring the minimum outdoor air intake flow. This device must measure the minimum

outdoor air intake flow with an accuracy of +/–10% of the design minimum outdoor airflow

rate, as defined by the ventilation requirements above. An alarm must indicate when the

outdoor airflow value varies by 15% or more from the outdoor airflow setpoint.

• For constant‑volume systems, balance outdoor airflow to the design minimum outdoor airflow

rate defined by ASHRAE Standard 62.1–2010 (with errata but without addenda2), or higher.

Install a current transducer on the supply fan, an airflow switch, or similar monitoring device.



Naturally Ventilated Spaces

For naturally ventilated spaces (and for mixed‑mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is

inactivated), determine the minimum outdoor air opening and space configuration requirements using

the natural ventilation procedure from ASHRAE Standard 62.1–2010 or a local equivalent, whichever is

more stringent. Confirm that natural ventilation is an effective strategy for the project by following the

flow diagram in the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Applications Manual

AM10, March 2005, Natural Ventilation in Nondomestic Buildings, Figure 2.8, and meet the requirements of

ASHRAE Standard 62.1–2010, Section 4, or a local equivalent, whichever is more stringent.

Naturally Ventilated Spaces Monitoring

For naturally ventilated spaces (and for mixed‑mode systems when the mechanical ventilation is

inactivated), comply with at least one of the following strategies.

• Provide a direct exhaust airflow measurement device capable of measuring the exhaust airflow.

This device must measure the exhaust airflow with an accuracy of +/–10% of the design

minimum exhaust airflow rate. An alarm must indicate when airflow values vary by 15% or

more from the exhaust airflow setpoint.

• Monitor carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations within each thermal zone. CO2 monitors must be

between 3 and 6 feet (90 and 180 centimeters) above the floor and within the thermal zone. CO2

monitors must have an audible or visual indicator or alert the building automation system if the

sensed CO2 concentration exceeds the setpoint by more than 10%. Calculate appropriate CO2

setpoints using the methods in ASHRAE 62.1–2010, Appendix C.



SGIEQ5.1// THERMAL COMFORT

(BEAM Plus for New Buildings 2012/LEED V4/GreenMark 2013)

Reason Given Singapore’s hot and humid climate and high average annual insolation levels of 1,150

kWh/kWp/year (about 50% more solar radiation than temperate climates) (NEA , EMA 2010), air

conditioning is typically functional in commercial buildings during the day to maintain occupancy

thermal comfort. However, the current green building standard (GreenMark 4.0) allocates points as

long as the indoor operative temperature is between 24°C to 26°C and relative humidity is less than

65%. Thermal comfort however is not only dependent on these parameters but on a wide variety of

other factors (ASHRAE Standard 55, 2010). In addition, studies in Singapore have shown Singaporeans

to find an operative temperature range of 26.3 – 31.7°C to be acceptable in outdoor spaces (Yang, Wong

et al. 2013), indicating thermal adaptability to the warmer climate. In addition, the study also showed

respondents in air‑conditioned spaces to have higher thermal sensation votes than those in naturally

ventilated spaces for the same temperature. To ensure occupant thermal comfort is accurately

accounted for, it is imperative that thermal comfort indices be tailored to fit spaces depending on

whether the space is conditioned or naturally ventilated.

Objectives

To promote occupants’ productivity, comfort, and well‑being by providing quality thermal comfort

measured through appropriate metrics.



Rating System



SGIEQ5.2// ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE

(BEAM Plus for New Buildings 2012/LEED V4/GreenMark 2013)

Reason Due to the high building density in Singapore (Phua, Goh et al. 2012) and limit on plot ratio (defined as

Gross Floor Area / Site Area) placed on buildings in Singapore (URA), indoor acoustical performance

can be easily affected by noise from outside environment since these regulations causes buildings to

located close to roads and adjacent buildings. Together with internal noise typically generated by

building services equipment such as decentralized air conditioning and mechanical systems, they may

affect occupant well‑being and communication by decreasing speech intelligibility.

Objectives

To provide workspaces and classrooms that promote occupants’ well‑being, productivity, and

communications through effective acoustic design, improving acoustical properties of rooms where

speech intelligibility is important.



Rating System



SGIEQ5.3// INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS

(LEED V4/GreenMark 2013)

Reason According to a recent 2012 survey of

multiple office buildings in Singapore,

the effect of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

not only potentially affect the property

value by 1.28% to 3.85% but majority of

both tenants and owners agree that IAQ

has an impact on both health and

productivity (Addae‑Dapaah 2012).

Objectives

To establish better quality indoor air in the building after construction and during occupancy.

Rating System

Rating is based on performance‑based criteria. Client is responsible of the products that are potential

emitters or absorbers (e.g. furniture, cleaning products, indoor plants etc. Requirement must be met.

Refer to next page.

The Table on the left illustrates the air

quality standards for the Air Testing

Accreditation.



SGIEQ5.4//

INTERIOR LIGHTING

(LEED V4)

Reason

High performance interior lighting

has been to proven to increase health

and productivity in many studies

(Küller & Laike 1998, Wilkins et al.

1989, etc.). Aside from the benefits of

the building occupants, interior

lighting is also one of the major

industries in Singapore (Ministry of

Communication and Information

2002). The high number of interior

design establishments has a great

influence in the current standards of

interior lighting and therefore

becomes vital in building

performance. Last but not least,

according to a survey on multiple

office building in Singapore, Lighting

system made up of approximately

11.79% of total building consumption

(Lee et al. 2004). This number can be

significantly reduced with better and

more effective interior lighting design.

Objectives

To promote occupants’ productivity, comfort, and well‑being by providing high‑performance lighting.



Rating System



SGIEQ5.5// DAYLIGHTING

(LEED V4)

Reason Singapore has great daylight opportunity that

potentially becomes great alternative to electric

lighting. With almost 4423 hours of daylight in a

year and a daily average of 12 hours of daylight

between 6am to 6pm, the country can utilize it to

not only generate power but also provide natural

lighting to major offices and commercial

buildings. Additionally its equatorial

geographical location also provides ease for

daylighting, as building orientation is almost a

negligible factor to the amount of daylight that

penetrates through. Proper glazing and shading

system should be selected to avoid overheating.

Daylighting has been proven to increase

occupant’s health and productivity (Heschong et

al 2002).

Objectives

To provide workspaces and classrooms that promote occupants’ well‑being, productivity, and

communications through effective acoustic design, improving acoustical properties of rooms where

speech intelligibility is important.

Rating System

Refer to next page.

The Table on the left illustrates the

months where illuminance

measurement should take place. Refer

to Measurement accreditation below.



SGIEQ5.6// CONSTRUCTION IAQ MANAGEMENT PLAN

(LEED V4)

Reason Singapore new building construction rate has tripled since 2005. With the amount of construction

happening, it is important that construction IAQ management is maintained for both contractors and

neighboring occupants. Although the National Environmental Agency (NEA) controls noise level and

pollution standard, no standard can be found to maintain the IAQ for occupants during construction.

The adaptation of the standard will help improve health and productivity of occupants, thus increasing

speed of construction and economic benefits.

Objectives

To promote the well‑being of construction workers and building occupants by minimizing indoor air

quality problems associated with construction and renovation.



Rating System



SUMMARY OF INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY

PART 5 INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY POSSIBLE POINTS

SGIEQ 5‐1 THERMAL COMFORT 1

SGIEQ 5‐2 ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE 5

SGIEQ 5‐3 INDOOR AIR POLLUTANTS 3

SGIEQ 5‐4 INTERIOR LIGHTING 5

SGIEQ 5‐5 DAYLIGHTING 6

SGIEQ 5‐6 CONSTRUCTION IAQ MANAGEMENT PLAN 1

Total 21

The indoor environmental quality from Greenmark 2013 seems to have a less stringent

standard in comparison to LEED 4.0; GreenPlan therefore decides to increase its current

standard by adopting most standard from the latter. Improvements in standard includes the

focus in high performance quality interior lighting instead of high frequency ballast, and the

consideration of natural ventilation versus mechanically condition thermal comfort standard.

Greenplan also includes daylighting and construction IAQ management plan in the new IEQ

standards to improve occupant’s health and productivity.

Singapore’s IEQ is mostly set by the National Environmental Agency, an organization

responsible for environmental safety and comfort of occupants. NEA not only ensures

allowable noise level from both construction and buildings, but also manages pollutants from

both indoor and outdoor sources (as mentioned in SS 554:2009). GreenPlan decides to omit

some pre-requisites from LEED 4.0, such as cigarette smoking due to its stringent law and

extremely expensive taxes that are implemented. Other omission includes low-emitting interior,

as VOC levels are designed to be performance-based, consequently allow for greater

flexibility for designers and challenge for newer innovation to reduce harmful particulate-

emitting furniture.

According to 2012 World Health Organization (WHO)

data, Singapore’s annual mean ppm10 is

approximately 32, which is considered to be good.

Additionally, all other primary pollutants such as NOx,

SOx, and CO2 have been maintained under the WHO

standards. GreenPlan plans to not only maintain but

also reduce all the pollutants, which in effect helps

increase the indoor-outdoor relationship, allowing for

healthier and productive occupants.

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