Respiratory Diseases: The Fatal Risk Caused by Inappropriate Design & Operation of Office Buildings

Abstract

This paper presents the study of risk caused by respiratory diseases, and proposes design and
operation guidelines for healthy office environments. The study includes respiratory diseases reviews and
data collection though observing and surveying of office buildings. The content is divided into three parts:
1) the information of the risk and spreading of respiratory diseases, 2) the outdoor and indoor environmental
factors which cause the germ contamination in building, and 3) the observing and surveying of eight office
environments to find the problem of design and operation.

It is discovered that contaminated buildings are caused by seven risk factors: 1) building materials
and furnishings that absorb moisture well, 2) spaces with small corners, 3) problem of moist indoor air, 4)
the lack of space for cleaning and maintenance, 5) problem of air conditioning system, 6) building energy
conservation policy, and 7) improper cleaning and maintenance method. This study also finds that another
significant factor that causes the germ contamination in buildings is an occupant’s behaviour. The results
lead to guidelines for designers, building managers, and users to create safe places from respiratory
diseases.

It is wished that this article would change the public attitudes in designing and managing architecture.
Quality of life should be more concerned aside from energy conservation, functional design, and occupants’
comfort.