IAQ in CCU units: an experimental and numerical investigation based on the outlet air height (case study: Namazi Hospital, Shiraz)

Abstract

Indoor air quality (IAQ) is a significant concern that affects our health. Recent studies show how poor IAQ amplifies the effects of airborne viruses, which endanger the health of the population relative to the COVID-19. This study aims to find the relationship among IAQ, the location of the air outlet valve and the behavior of the IAQ indicators in the cardiac care unit (CCU) at Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. In this context, the condition of the air outlet valve can play an important part in preparing a better IAQ. To test the hypothesis, articles based on IAQ guidelines have been studied. Also, certain emissions (CO₂, CO, PM_2.5 and PM₁₀) have been measured, and the relationship between IAQ, the location of the air outlet valve and the behavior of these emissions in the patient’s room at Namazi Hospital. This room has been analyzed using computational fluid dynamics for the prediction of the specification of incoming air flow particles. Also, a Eulerian–Lagrangian model was used. In constant, the turbulence model (realizable k – ԑ) and discrete particle model were employed. The results show that when the outlet valve is placed on the wall at 20 cm, it decreased particle deposition in the room, and as a result, IAQ will be improved and at the same time, the chances of transmitting infectious diseases will be reduced. It is also indicated that a higher amount of particle deposition fraction (ca. 0.71) obtains when the outlet valve is located on the top of the wall.

Keywords:

• Indoor air quality
• building performance
• healthy indoor spaces
• COVID-19
• computational fluid dynamics

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is not any conflict of interests regarding the publication of this manuscript. In addition, the ethical issues, including plagiarism, informed consent, misconduct, data fabrication and/or falsification, double publication and/or submission and redundancy have been completely observed by the authors.

Data availability statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this article.

Notes

1 United States Environmental Protection Agency.

2 The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

3 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

4 Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method.

5 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

6 Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

7 World Health Organization.

8 American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists.

9 Canadian Federal IAQ guidelines.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.