ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 851

Similar findings are apparent in the study by Kim and Dear ( 2012 ), also based on the CBE database , which used the Kano model to determine the factors that affect occupants ’ workplace satisfaction . Factors were divided into two categories ; basic and proportional . Basic factors , such as thermal and acoustics , have a higher significance when the building does not perform as per the occupant ’ s expectations and vice versa . If the thermal environment of the building is adequate , the occupants do not consider this element to be very important ( ranked 11th out of the 15 factors considered ) in achieving occupant satisfaction . However , in buildings where the thermal environment was inadequate , it was ranked 7th . Thus the authors conclude that if the basic factors of the building are performing adequately , further optimisation of these factors will not drastically change occupant satisfaction . In such cases , spending resources to improve the proportional factors ( such as air quality and lighting ) will have a notable effect in achieving occupant satisfaction within the workplace .

Sick building syndrome is often defined as health issues that are prevalent during an occupant ’ s inhabitation of a building . Often , the symptoms disappear when the occupant moves away from the building , although in more chronic cases , the impacts of unhealthy building environments can be long term ( Brightman et al . 2008 ; Roulet et al . 2006 ; Pejtersen et al . 2006 ). Brightman et al . ( 2008 ) identify four categories of symptoms that are commonly associated with SBS ; tiredness , mucosal irritation , neuropsychological and lower respiratory ( Table 1 ). These symptoms are prevalent in occupants of both the ‘ healthy ’ and the ‘ unhealthy ’ buildings . Findings of the Building Assessment Survey Evaluation ( BASE ) survey conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) show that 45 % of the respondents had at least one symptom while 20 % had at least three symptoms . Eye symptoms were most common while wheezing and shortness of breath were least reported .

Roulet et al . ( 2006 ) conducts a survey of 5800 respondents in 64 office buildings . Among other criteria evaluated , a building symptom index ( BSI ) is generated based on prevalence of SBS symptoms among the occupants . The surveyed buildings were then classified as satisfactory or unsatisfactory . The average occurrence of symptoms is within the range of 14 % and 40 %. Although some of the offices had three or more reported symptoms , there were some buildings in which symptoms were almost non-existent . This shows that healthy building environments can be created which facilitate occupant health and comfort . According to Brightman et al . ( 2008 ), the extensive research and understanding of indoor air quality often allows identification of SBS symptoms and causes , thereby making redundant the overarching terminology of SBS and the classification of buildings as healthy or healthy buildings , as their effects become evident over a span of time . Another study shows a positive connection between environmental factors , resultant comfort factors and the performance factors of occupants within the building . It further states that although there is no direct effect of comfort on the employees ’ performance levels ,

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