Sustainable building renovation and indoor environmental quality

Indoor environmental quality (IAQ) should be considered for any renovation process. This paper aims at identifying this link pointing out the health effects associated with the renovation process in an educational building. The study focused on four types of spaces; lecture halls, classrooms, laboratories, and staff rooms. This investigated the materials and finishes used during the renovation process for wall painting as well as floor and ceiling finishing. Then further investigation using lab tests were conducted for specimens of wall finishes. This was followed by structured questionnaires with full-time occupants such as staff members and lab engineers, as well as transient occupants such as labours and students to determine symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome. The results showed that wall painting had the greatest impact on IAQ and this corresponds to previous literature. Furthermore, it was found that high VOC was indicated; this was not the result of the material used for wall painting but due to the process undertaken. Also, the surveys enabled determining the short-term and long-term health hazards on different space users and how this varied according to space dimensions and ventilation system. Eventually, the study provides recommendations for proper planning for building occupancy during and after the renovation process.