Peer-reviewed article
REVEALING THE SPACE CHALLENGES VS INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN ADAPTIVE-REUSED PRESHOOLS
Naziah Muhamad Salleh, Anisah Ahmad Nahar, Mohd Rodzi Ismail, Siti Hamidah Husain, Emma Marinie Ahmad Zawawie ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5The study looks at indoor air quality, measured by carbon dioxide (CO2), in preschool classrooms housed in buildings that were originally built for other uses. It examines how room space, ventilation and children's activities affect CO2 levels. CO2 went above the recommended 1000 ppm during lessons and group activities. It fell during breaks and outdoor activities, when fewer people were in the room. The authors recommend good design, hybrid ventilation, careful renovation and ongoing maintenance of preschool buildings.
Key points
- CO2 in the classrooms exceeded the recommended 1000 ppm threshold during lessons and group activities.
- CO2 levels decreased during low-occupancy periods such as breaks and outdoor activities.
- Room size and occupancy density influenced the rise in CO2 concentrations.
- Many preschools are housed in facilities not originally intended for this use.
- The authors recommend good design practice, hybrid ventilation systems, careful renovation and ongoing maintenance.
Limitations
Only the abstract is available, so the number of preschools, the measurement methods and the statistical detail are unknown. It does not report measured health or learning outcomes for the children, so links to respiratory problems or learning are drawn from background statements. The country is taken from the metadata hint, not stated in the abstract.
Abstract
The number of preschools has significantly enhanced in recent years, even though numerous preschools are housed in facilities that are not initially intended for such use. Space and indoor Air Quality (IAQ), specifically Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is regarded as a crucial element influencing the physical growth of children. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the indoor environments of the preschool located in premises that have been renovated and modified from their initial use. Elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in indoor environments may adversely affect children's health and cognitive function. Preschool environments, characterised by high occupancy rates and limited ventilation, are particularly susceptible to poor air quality, which can consequently lead to respiratory issues and diminished learning performance. This study investigates the impact of spaces and ventilation strategies on CO₂ concentration levels in preschool classrooms by examining the occupants activities towards IAQ. The results demonstrated that the CO2 concentration in the classroom exceeded the recommended 1000 ppm threshold during lesson and group activities but the levels decreased during low-occupancy periods, such as breaks and outdoor activities. Factors such as room size, and occupancy density influenced the increase of CO2 concentrations. The implementation of exemplary design practices, implementation of hybrid ventilation systems, coupled with thoughtful renovation and ongoing maintenance of preschool facilities, is essential for fostering a high-quality indoor environment within classroom space.