SICK BUILDING SYNDROME: IMPACT OF IDEAL ROOFING ON OCCUPANTS HEALTH
1 ObiSoft
Innovations UK, England, United Kingdom
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ABSTRACT |
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Sick Building
Syndrome (SBS) has been defined as a “set of adverse health or discomfort
symptoms that individuals experience when they spend time indoors,
particularly in office buildings, and that lessen while away from the
building” Apte et al. (2000). Various construction elements such as windows, floors, roof
designs and construction methods can substantially increase or reduce health
and safety levels. This can affect internal and external environments in
workplaces. Therefore, the more sustainable the construction elements, the
less hazardous or negative impacts on the building construction, the
workforce, the environment, the occupants and vice versa. This study aims to
use existing building construction elements and designs in North Cyprus to create
a framework for developing and evaluating suitable roofing structures for
adequate insulation in the North Cyprus residential buildings. This was
achieved through research experiments on the construction of building
elements, that is, roofing. Most SBS buildings in Cyprus have no roof
structure or adequate insulation. Therefore, this experiment was carried out
to prove that wrong roof systems contribute to SBS formation in buildings and
the rate of SBS effects on the end users. |
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Received 26 February 2024 Accepted 28 March 2024 Published 11 April 2024 Corresponding Author Ifeanyi
Chukwudi Obi, Dranyiobi@gmail.com DOI 10.29121/granthaalayah.v12.i3.2024.5581 Funding: This research
received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial,
or not-for-profit sectors. Copyright: © 2024 The
Author(s). This work is licensed under a Creative Commons
Attribution 4.0 International License. With the
license CC-BY, authors retain the copyright, allowing anyone to download,
reuse, re-print, modify, distribute, and/or copy their contribution. The work
must be properly attributed to its author. |
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Keywords: Sick Building Syndrome, Building, SBS, Roofing |
1. INTRODUCTION
Generally, roof types have a considerable impact on heat control both
within and outside the building. Insufficient or non-existent roof insulation,
an inadequate roofing system, or low-quality materials used in roof design and
construction are common causes of temperature instability in rooms Wargocki et al. (2000). These factors can facilitate SBS
formation in a building and enhance the SBS effect on end users. Symptoms like
dry cough, dry and itchy skin, nose bleeding, heart palpitations, exhaustion
after a little activity, joint pain, swelling of the legs, ankles and trunk,
pregnancy challenges like miscarriages and even drowsiness are known to be
causes of “sick building syndrome” Norbäck (2009). More roof insulation will
improve heat retention in residential structures, lowering the SBS effect on
end users throughout the winter Skov et al. (1989). When additional insulation is added to the
roof, heat loss through the building's roof is reduced, if not eliminated, thus
preventing the formation of SBS. This is a technique for reducing the
prevalence of SBS in residential buildings Seppänen & Fisk (2002). Another option is to reinstall and seal
the roofing shingles to keep the heat inside the building. A timber finish may
also be used on the ceiling to retain the thermal energy inside the structure.
This method is commonly used due to its reduced cost.
2. Methodology
This study
was accomplished by comparing data collected from end users’ responses to how
they react to SBS issues in two apartments in the same building. These
apartments have identical
characteristics, one with a roof strengthened with suitable insulating
materials and one without. A higher response rate to SBS will disclose which
flat is best positioned to reduce the SBS effect on occupants. Having
considered the weather conditions in Cyprus to determine the best roof design
that could best fit the new buildings and what can be done to remedy the
existing buildings; additionally, this work will compare the results obtained
with various roof insulation systems to determine the most suitable roof design
that can limit SBS formation on buildings. This experiment will determine how
wrong roofing systems encourage SBS formation in buildings due to inadequate
heat control. It will also measure the insulation levels for different roof and
ceiling designs thereby creating options that can be applied in a roof or ceiling
installation.
The
buildings
Figure 1
Figure 1 Shows Flat D and Flat E Respectively. |
Flats D and E share similar designs with the same floor finishes. Both of the
buildings are in Lefke, North Cyprus, and their occupants are students who have
been there for a minimum of 2.5 years. The obvious distinction is that one has
a double-layered insulation-reinforced roof, while the other does not. The goal
of this study is to demonstrate how variations in roof insulation affected the
SBS effect on building occupants in both buildings. Both buildings already show physical signs of
different stages of SBS formation.
In this case study, an investigation was carried out on two
similar flats labelled D and E. The occupants were interviewed and also given
questionnaires to examine how they responded to the buildings. The occupants of
these residential flat buildings formed the study population and Seven (7)
sample sizes were chosen by the Taro Yamane’s Model. The seven (7) respondents
were selected using the simple random sampling system or technique (three and
four from each flat). The Questionnaire contains three sections and seven
respondents living in the two buildings received the questionnaire. The three
sections are:
·
The health issues noticed while occupying the building
·
Assessment of the occupants' activities in the building
·
Occupants' level of control over their living conditions.
The data was received from 100% of the respondents making Seven
(7) respondents. For flat D, four (4) out of four respondents returned their
questionnaire. For flat E, three (3) out of three respondents returned their
questionnaires. All the data obtained through the field study was presented in
tables. This is to ensure that the research findings are accurately
comprehended and assessed. The questions and various responses were analysed
and presented.
This study presents
critical procedures for evaluating how optimal roof insulation can reduce the
SBS effect on occupants in residential structures. Several studies and
experiments have led to the conclusion that inadequate or non-existent roof
insulation leads to more severe cases of SBS effect on occupants. Roof
insulation may have a significant role in determining the degree of influence
on SBS occupants. Responses from occupants give a better understanding of how
several occupants react differently to the same “Sick Building Syndrome” (SBS)
due to differences in the roof insulation.
3. Results and Responses
To
establish that there are SBS issues in the buildings under study apart from the
visible signs on them, the end users were asked if they experience SBS
conditions.
Do you experience any of the listed conditions as an end user?
Table 1
Table 1 Shows the Respondents' Agreement that SBS Cases Exist in their Building |
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Item |
Conditions |
Frequency of responses |
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|
|
Often |
Always |
Sometimes |
Never |
||||
|
|
Flat D |
Flat E |
Flat D |
Flat E |
Flat D |
Flat E |
Flat D |
Flat E |
1 |
Lack of air |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
Supply |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
3 |
3 |
|
3 |
Very cold |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
Stuffy |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
5 |
Condition |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
In Flat D 4 (four) respondents agreed to a large extent the
presence of unfavourable SBS causative conditions in their building. While in
flat E, the respondents also attested the same SBS causative conditions present
in their buildings. The respondents complained of cold conditions, especially
during winter and also unpleasant odours from fungi walls, and stuffiness were
reported.
According to the table below, respondents were asked if they
experienced some of the ailments stated therein.
Table 2
Occupants of Flat E have a higher
response rate to SBS issues compared to occupants of Flat D. End users of Flat
E have higher symptoms of SBS like running nose, sour throat, and skin
irritation compared to Flat D.
What is your control level over the
listed conditions?
Table 3
Table 3 Depicts that the End Users Within the Study Reach Had Different Degrees of Control Over the Conditions in their Buildings |
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|
Number of
Responses |
||||||||||
Item |
Room Situation |
None |
Small |
A little |
Mostly |
Complete |
|||||
|
|
D |
E |
D |
E |
D |
E |
D |
E |
D |
E |
1 |
Dry Throat/sour |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
3 |
- |
1 |
- |
2 |
Skin Issues |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
- |
3 |
Aches on the head |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2 |
4 |
1 |
- |
- |
4 |
Drowsiness/fainting |
- |
- |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
5 |
Running nose |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
The data readings show that the roof insulation of the buildings
has a part to play in occupants' response to SBS in residential buildings.
Ideal insulation gives the occupants better control of living conditions and
vice versa. From the results, Flat E delivered a higher level of SBS symptoms
on the occupants than Flat D. This supports that the influence of sick building
syndrome on occupants is encouraged by inadequate internal temperature
regulation or by rapid heat intake and loss. Flat D falls within the acceptable
roof insulation type. The suitable insulation type will be
discussed later on.
Furthermore, occupants of
Flat D seem to have fewer SBS symptoms in comparison to occupants of Flat E
even when indoor activities which could promote SBS formation like smoking
occur in Flat D as in Flat E.
From a deeper observation, data analysed depicts that the main
causes of sick building syndrome ailment on occupants are factors like:
·
Stuffy air
·
Inadequate air supply
·
Dim light
·
Cold spaces
·
Unpleasant odour in the living buildings
All the factors mentioned above especially the cold spaces mostly
experienced in winter are directly connected to roof insulation and the type of
thermal floor mass used. It is also evident that, at least within the
parameters of this work, variations in roof insulation can be linked to
variations in the SBS test results, given that the two apartments have
identical designs, were constructed at the same time using the same building
materials, and have students living in them. The table indicates that Flat E
had a more severe SBS effect on occupants than Flat D.
The Ideal Roofing System
Ideal roof insulation reduces the SBS effect on occupants to a
great extent. Symptoms like headache, running nose, skin dryness, sore throat, and skin dryness can be reduced if a roof
building is ideally insulated. Ideal roof insulation allows for adequate
temperature control in the building Tulchinsky et al. (2023). Rapid heat
loss or gain through insulated roofs can create an unnecessary need for a high
mechanical cooling or heating system which increases costs. I conducted a
comparison between bulk insulation and concertina foil batts in an attempt to
determine the best roofing system for residential structures in Cyprus as well
as methods for insulating roofs that already existed. By comparing the two,
this study determined which type would be more suited for hot and cold
climates, and this will direct my suggestions. It was also discovered that,
with proper design, both insulators could be utilized in hot and cold areas
Mølhave
(1989). The table below shows ideal roof designs for Cyprus roofing.
Table 4
Table 4 Comparison Between Concertina Foil and Bulk Insulation Roof Result |
||
|
Concertina Foil Batts |
Bulk Insulation |
Dead load |
10.5kg (m2) |
19.45kg (m2) |
Durability |
88.1% |
56.7% |
Cyprus Requirement |
Ideal |
Good |
Safety |
Ideal |
Good |
The
illustrations and the principles are as follows:
Sarking
or foil batts installed under the roof increased the roof's ability to resist
radiant heat. This could be used in
regions with extreme heat. During installation, great care should be taken to
ensure a minimum of 25mm space (gap) for reflective surfaces. RFL sarking should be
placed directly beneath the roofing components of the battens and rafter making
sure the glossy side is facing downwards. The joist element of the ceiling is more suitable
for insulation placement.
Figure 2
Figure 2 Bulk Insulation Installation |
For bulk
insulation installations to be successful, polystyrene boards, bulk batts, and
loss fillers are needed. In very cold climatic regions of about 10 months of
the cold season, double layers of this type of insulation (Bulk insulation) to
increase the roof's thermal floor characteristics are recommended. This is best
done by placing one layer on the joist and the other on top.
Figure 3
Figure 3 Reflective
Insulation Installation |
When the ceiling joist is
covered up by insulation materials, it’s hard to identify a safe part of the
roof to walk on. Therefore, when the roof is accessed, care must be taken to
reinstall the installation material according to the set-out
standard Obi (2016).
Figure 4
Figure 4 Roof Section |
In general, it is important to follow all necessary
guidelines while installing roofing components; it is best to place the insulation
material between the joists Shuttleworth (2008). The effects of
insulation will be significantly reduced if these roof insulation guidelines
are not followed.
4. Conclusion
Given the differences in construction cultures, concertina
foil bats would be more suitable in Cyprus than bulk insulation because roof
designs are valued less there than in many other countries. In actuality, there
are no identifiable roof designs on more than 75% of residential
buildings in North Cyprus Obi
(2016). Additionally, keeping
the heat inside the internal areas will be substantially aided by the ceiling's
usage of timber roof finishes.
Roof insulation in Cyprus must be carefully
designed to meet the standards and requirements of the local climate. For
example, the roof insulation designs should be able to retain heat during
winter and relinquish excess heat during summertime, given the
country's harsh winters and hot summers Morantes et al. (2023).
Cyprus faces roofing difficulties due to the use of deck
roofs; potential solutions include:
·
Design
and install wooden materials as internal ceiling materials to keep heat in.
·
Construct
a roof design on top of the deck roof.
Insulated roofs would cut the cost of heating and cooling for any building Joshi (2008). In other parts of the world, particularly in the Mediterranean climatic axis, roof insulation is a crucial architectural consideration. Great attention is put on insulation during cold months, especially the winter. The purpose of insulation designs and mechanics is to shield living areas from cold, especially when snow accumulates on the roof Mosher & McGee (2013). A typical residential building in a northern climate would benefit greatly from both a bulk insulated roof and an insulated roof made of concertina foil bats.
CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
None.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
None.
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