Chapter 7 measurement of environmental conditions

Chapter 7: Indoor Environmental Measurements
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CHAPTER 7: INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL MEASUREMENTS
7.0 Introduction
The basic premise of this thesis is that the environment cannot be necessarily assessed by
simply summing positive and negative judgements of separate environmental factors or by
some system of averaging. The relationships between occupants and a range of
environmental aspects, such as the thermal environment, indoor air quality, the light and
acoustic environments and the ergonomic design, must be considered in a more detailed
manner to aid a more complete comprehension of their complexity. The study of the holistic
environment cannot be addressed in a fragmented way, simply splitting response by aspect,
but rather a mechanism for comparison and assessment of inter-aspect association must be
attempted (Williams, 1997).
This chapter presents the measurement data obtained in all case study buildings. It begins
with a description of the location where the study was carried out in each case and presents
the environmental data measured by the author himself followed by the breakdown of
electricity consumption obtained from the management office. At the end of this section, all
six buildings are compared together to determine the pattern of all conditions performances.
Table 7.1: Measured parameter by time reading (Ta, RH and Va)
Air Temperature
(o
C) Ta
UMNO MNIAGA IBM TOTAL KOMTAR TIMA LUTH TOTAL
Average 23.4 24.6 24.4 24.1 24.6 22.8 23.4 23.6
Std Dev 0.40 0.61 0.98 0.66 0.32 0.27 0.52 0.37
Min 22.1 23.9 23.2 23.1 24.0 22.4 22.6 23.0
Max 24.4 26.1 26.6 25.7 25.2 23.3 24.5 24.3
Relative
Humidity (%) RH
Average 59.8 57.1 57.9 58.3 57.3 64.2 63.9 61.8
Std Dev 5.25 4.44 4.78 4.82 4.24 4.16 3.93 4.11
Min 51.5 50.2 50.7 50.8 48.7 56.6 56.9 54.1
Max 69.4 67.3 69.1 68.6 65.1 72.8 72.2 70.0
Air Velocity
(ms-1
) Va
Average 0.09 0.08 0.07 0.08 0.06 0.05 0.07 0.06
Std Dev 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
Min 0.05 0.05 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.04 0.03
Max 0.16 0.13 0.14 0.14 0.09 0.11 0.11 0.10

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7.1 Environmental Measurements
This section presents the environmental data measured by the author during the site visit. All
together five environmental parameters were measured inside the office buildings in lower,
middle and higher zones as described in the previous section. Basically, measurements were
taken at three or four points in a designated floor area of particular zones and the average
recorded as one time reading. Table 7.1 show the mean, minimum and maximum reading for
air temperature, relative humidity and air velocity in all buildings. All readings for all
parameters and all buildings are shown by zone level in table 7.6 – 7.15. The location area
where the measurement points were taken is shown in figure 7.7 – 7.12. Photographic views
of some of the locations where measurements were taken are shown in figures 7.13 – 7.17.
7.2 Thermal Conditions
Air Temperature (Ta)
The hourly indoor air temperature average for UMNO, MESINIAGA and IBM buildings is
23.4°C, 24.6°C and 24.4°C respectively. As for conventional building, KOMTAR tower
recorded the hourly indoor air temperature average of 24.6°C whereas TIMA and LUTH
tower were 22.8°C and 23.4°C respectively. Among all buildings, TIMA tower has the
lowest indoor air temperature on average, whereas KOMTAR tower and MESINIAGA
building have the highest average (see table 7.1). The calculated average indoor air
temperature for all bioclimatic buildings is 24.1°C and the minimum and maximum average
is 23.1°C and 25.7°C respectively. The calculated average for all conventional buildings is
23.6°C and the minimum and maximum average is 23.0°C and 24.3°C. In comparison
between bioclimatic and conventional type, it appears that the conventional type has a lower
indoor air temperature than bioclimatic type by 1°C. Figure 7.1 shows the comparison of
daytime indoor temperature for all buildings in a graph diagram.
Relative Humidity (RH)
TIMA shows the highest average of relative humidity (64.2%) among all buildings whereas
MESINIAGA is the lowest (57.1%) (see table 7.1). The calculated average relative humidity
in all bioclimatic buildings is 58.3% and the minimum and maximum average is 50.8% and
69.1% respectively. Conventional buildings show an average relative humidity of 61.8%
whereas the minimum and maximum is 54.1% and 70.0%. Figure 7.2 shows conventional
buildings have higher relative humidity than most of the bioclimatic buildings.

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Air Velocity (Va)
Figure 7.3 shows the hourly air velocity graph diagram for both bioclimatic and conventional
building types. The daily air velocity in average bioclimatic building is a bit higher than
most conventional building. The bioclimatic buildings (UMNO, MESINIAGA and IBM)
have an average of 0.09, 0.08 and 0.07 ms-1
respectively whereas the conventional buildings
(KOMTAR, TIMA and LUTH) have an average of 0.06, 0.05 and 0.07 ms-1
respectively.
The minimum and maximum daily indoor air velocity in all bioclimatic buildings is slightly
higher than those in conventional buildings as shown in table 7.1.
Discussion:
The recommended indoor temperature range is from 23°C to 26°C and the recommended
relative humidity is 60% - 70%. As both the required temperature and humidity parameters
are lower than outside air, full adaptation is normally required for the working areas, in order
to satisfy optimal human comfort and working conditions. Buildings therefore have to be
tight, and the fresh air intake has to be controlled for optimum quality of the indoor air. The
roof is insulated with 100 mm of insulation, compared to normally only 25 mm of insulation.
The roof surface is protected by a second canopy roof, which can prevent direct solar
radiation onto the roof. Green landscaping along the perimeter of the roof may provide
shading and improves the aesthetics of the roof areas.
Givoni (1994) mentioned that the comfort zone in a warm humid country happens when
indoor air speed is between 1.5 – 2.0 m/s, relative humidity within 50%, indoor temperature
between 20°C and 30°C. He added that availability of high indoor air speed will increase
heat exchange between indoor and outdoor temperature and availability of high visual indoor
illumination without glare will provide better indoor conditions. Szokolay (2000) suggested
that air cooling through air movement of 1.0 m/s to 1.5 m/s is the best passive means to
achieve comfort in this climate. However the average for minimum and maximum air
velocity readings for all bioclimatic buildings are between 0.04ms-1
(min) and 0.14ms-1
(max) whereas for conventional buildings they are slightly lower; 0.03ms-1
(min) and
0.10ms-1
(max).
In CIBSE Guide A1 (1978) it is mentioned that the comfort zone in the Tropics during
summer occurs when relative humidity is between 45% to 70%, indoor temperature between
23.0°C and 26.0°C. In ASHRAE Standard 55 (1992) it is also recommended that the comfort
temperature range in Temperate climates during summer is between 23.0°C to 26.0°C and
the comfort value to be 24.5°C, 50% relative humidity and 0.15m/s mean air speed. In ISO

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7730 (1994) it is suggested the comfort temperature range in Temperate climates during
summer is also between 23.0°C and 26.0°C and the comfort value to be 24.5°C, relative
humidity between 30% and 70% and 0.4m/s mean air velocity.
In the late 80s a study using an energy audit technique in Malaysia found that the comfort
temperature in office building ranges from 23.0°C to 27.0°C and, relative humidity between
60% and 70% (Kannan, 1997). Another study in the early 90s using a laboratory method
found the comfort range is between 25.0°C to 31.4°C with 50% relative humidity (Abdul
Shukor, 1993). A field studies approach done in the late 90s found that the comfort
temperature in office building ranges from 20.8°C to 28.6°C and, relative humidity between
40% and 80% (Ismail, 2000). In all cases different comfort values for office building in
Malaysian were obtained by energy audit technique 25.0°C, laboratory method 28.2°C and
the fields study approach 24.7°C.
Studies of thermal comfort and potential energy saving in air-conditioned factories in
Malaysia by Zainal and Keong (1996) and others (Ismail, 2000; Abdul Rahman, 1999) found
that an increase in indoor set point temperature for cooling of 1.5 °C gave 15.8% in energy
saving, i.e. 10.5% per 1°C. However, in both types, in fact for all buildings except for TIMA
tower, indoor air temperature average was within the comfort range for non residential
buildings (23°C – 26°C) suggested by the Ministry of Energy, Telecommunications and
Posts (1989) and the Malaysian Department of Standards (2001). These figures are similar to
the ASHRAE Standard 55 (1992) and ISO 7730 (1994).
It has been noted that all conventional buildings are fully air conditioned and concealed from
the outside environment except through intake air from the air conditioner systems. Although
the bioclimatic buildings in these cases studies are naturally ventilated mostly only at the
communal spaces, there is possibility that outside warm air penetrated into the office area
through occupants’ movement in and out the office area. Although the impact is very small
depending on the occurrence of the occupant movement, these will significantly decrease the
humidity level and increase the air temperature and the air velocity in the office spaces.
Furthermore in some buildings (i.e. MESINIAGA, UMNO, IBM, KOMTAR and TIMA)
there are areas where openable windows segment are available within the glazed façade of
the buildings particularly in the office spaces. Despite the fact that these windows are
normally closed most of the time, at certain times these windows were left opened by the
occupants.

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21.5
22.0
22.5
23.0
23.5
24.0
24.5
25.0
25.5
8:00am 9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 12:00am 1:00pm 2:00pm 3:00pm 4:00pm 5:00pm 6:00pm
AirTemperature(DegreeCelsius)
UMNO
MNIAGA
IBM
KOMTAR
TIMA
LUTH
Figure 7.1: Comparison of daytime indoor temperature
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
RelativeHumidity(%)
UMNO
MNIAGA
IBM
KOMTAR
TIMA
LUTH
Figure 7.2: Comparison of daytime indoor relative humidity
0.00
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.10
0.12
0.14
0.16
AirVelocity(m/s)
UMNO
MNIAGA
IBM
KOMTAR
TIMA
LUTH
Figure 7.3: Comparison of daytime indoor air velocity

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7.3 Visual Conditions
Light Intensity
The hourly light intensity reading (combine natural and artificial sources) for both
KOMTAR and UMNO are higher than other buildings (see table 7.2). The daily light
intensity in KOMTAR tower on average is 4162 lux with minimum and maximum of 3130
lux and 4960 lux respectively whereas in UMNO building, the daily light intensity on
average is 4294 lux, slightly higher than that of KOMTAR tower with minimum and
maximum of 3790 lux and 4860 lux respectively. The other buildings have an average
between 2000 to 3000 lux and among these buildings LUTH has the highest average (2721
lux). The comparison of light intensity level (combine sources) for all building is shown in
figure 7.4.
Table 7.2: Measured parameter by time reading (light intensity)
Light Intensity
(lux)
Average 4231 2202 2498 2977 4192 2424 2721 3112
Std Dev 307 730 729 589 625 328 561 505
Min 3790 1140 1260 2063 3130 1960 1710 2267
Max 4860 3160 3570 3863 4960 3200 3450 3870
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
LightIntensity(lux)
UMNO
MNIAGA
IBM
KOMTAR
TIMA
LUTH
Figure 7.4: Comparison of indoor daytime light intensity
Discussion:
In case of visual comfort, the challenge in daylight design of buildings is to design windows
and shading which lets daylight in, prevent sunlight from entering the building, and reduce
glare problems from the windows. These criteria can be achieved through a combination of

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exterior shading and a glazing, designed to allow penetration of 65% of the light through,
and only 51% of the heat through. This is to ensure the purpose of visual comfort will not
override the purpose of thermal comfort. In order to fully utilise daylight to offset artificial
lighting, the artificial lighting has to be controlled so that it is automatically shut off when
daylight is sufficient to satisfy the lighting need, which is an illumination level of 300 – 400
lux.
Apart from being free, daylight is also a very efficient light source, measured in light
(lumen) received compared to the unwanted heat (watts) that accompanies the light. Diffuse
daylight with an efficiency of around 120lumen/watt is twice as good as traditional
fluorescent lighting around 60lumen/watt. The installation of high efficiency light fixtures, in
combination with a reduction of illumination in offices (according to the new standard),
reduces the installed lighting load from typically 20W/m² to only around 10W/m². The
illumination level can be reduced from 500 lux to approximately 335 lux in the office space.
It has been said that ‘enough light is not enough’ and that we must ‘satisfy man’s emotional
and intellectual needs and provide it with those qualities from which delight may spring
(Phillips, 1978). This is no easy task to a designer but the lighting environment can be split
into more areas than light level alone. The level can be maintained using a mixture of day
and artificial lighting and with specific task lighting if required. Both bioclimatic and
conventional types have applied strategies for natural lighting capture. In MESINIAGA,
KOMTAR and LUTH for instance, the circular shape itself allows the natural lighting to
penetrate almost 80% into the building. However, unlike KOMTAR and LUTH,
MESINIAGA has external overhang to control glare and direct radiant heat from entering the
building directly with the daylight.
The concept of glare can affect the user negatively where the user is troubled by reflections
or excessive brightness. It is a common problem in office buildings where the lighting
scheme must be carefully developed to avoid such problems (Pritchard, 1985). The
measurements show that UMNO and KOMTAR are among the highest light intensity
available in the office. Light levels outside vary enormously from 100 000 lux in bright
sunlight to 0.2 lux in bright moonlight and 0.02 lux in starlight. Our eyes will register
information over the range of brightest sunlight down to about 0.005 lux. A young person
with good eyes can probably thread a needle in 100 lux, read a theatre programme in 10 lux
and distinguish large objects in 0.005 lux (Thomas, 1996). It would be a strain if one was

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always to do these tasks at these light levels and older people would find them difficult to do
at any time.
The proportion of day lighting through windows or skylights in an office of any size can
affect the overall appearance of the indoor environment and also the emotional response of
the occupant to that environment. Views through the windows of the outside environment
are also important and can affect the feeling of an occupant (Flynn and Spenser, 1977) and
may also reduce eye stress. Therefore it is very important for occupants to have opportunities
to see an outside view as much as possible.
For this reason the recommended light levels associated with various tasks tend to be 5 to 10
times greater than the absolute minima (500 to 1000 lux). Because some tasks and workers
require more light than others, it is best to keep the overall light level low and allow workers
to supplement it with individually controlled task lights. Lighting designers often point to a
set of measurements to show that the lighting design meets the specifications. Most
recommendations for office lighting are full of numbers such as luminance levels between
200-500 lux (Ankrum, 1996).
7.4 Acoustic Conditions
Sound Level
It was anticipated that the reading in a bioclimatic office would be higher than the
conventional ones as there were openings for natural ventilation in most of the communal
areas such lobby area and veranda. However, based on the reading, it happens the other way
round and surprisingly, the average sound levels in all buildings are quite high compared to
the standard in most requirements for an office building (see table 7.3). Among all buildings,
KOMTAR has the highest average (76.8 dBA) and minimum (70.9 dBA) and maximum
(81.5 dBA) level as compared to the reading obtained in other buildings.
The lowest average reading is that in IBM whereas in the others are about 3 to 4 dB higher.
The readings were found to be quite high for a business office which is supposed to be
around 60 to 70 dB (see figure 7.5). It can be said that the Malaysia offices are quite noisy.
To confirm this, several measurement were later obtained in a few other Malaysian offices as
shown in table 7.2. Although the room areas are smaller and the numbers of occupants are
lower than those in all cases study buildings, it can be a benchmarking for what the level is

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supposed to be. This readings (table 7.4) show the sound level is slightly lower than that of
the cases study buildings. However, the average sound levels increase with the number of
persons in the same room.
Table 7.3: Measured parameter by time reading (sound level)
Sound Level
dB(A)
Average 74.0 73.7 73.6 73.8 76.8 76.7 75.3 76.3
Std Dev 2.96 0.97 1.96 1.96 3.15 2.96 1.16 2.42
Min 68.9 71.9 70.0 70.3 70.9 70.4 72.8 71.4
Max 78.1 75.1 78.2 77.1 81.5 81.3 77.2 80.0
68.0
70.0
72.0
74.0
76.0
78.0
80.0
82.0
9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
SoundPressureLeveldB(A)
UMNO
MNIAGA
IBM
KOMTAR
TIMA
LUTH
Figure 7.5: Comparison of daytime indoor sound pressure level
Table 7.4: Average Sound level in other Malaysian offices
Time University Block C16
UTHM Lecturer Room
University Block E5
UTHM Lecturer Room
University Block
Administration office
Shop
office
Lecturer
Room
Size:
3600mm x
4600mm
Corridor
(Indoor)
Size:
1500mm x
28800mm
Room
Size:
3300mm x
4000mm
Corridor
(Indoor)
Size:
1250mm x
16500mm
Office area
Size:
12500mm x
15000mm
Corridor
(Indoor)
Size:
5000mm x
4000mm
Office area
Size:
6500mm x
18000mm
Space
Description:
No. of
staff: 2
Public
circulation
area
No. of
staff: 1
Public
circulation
area
No of staff:
10
Public
lobby
No of staff:
5
9.00am 49.9 58.6 51.2 59.5 64.4 67.5 72.6
12.00pm 56.6 65.1 53.6 61.4 66.7 73.4 77.5
3.00pm 52.3 63.2 52.4 58.9 63.5 70.0 73.6
5.00pm 50.6 59.7 50.8 49.8 74.1 77.8 74.4
Average 52.4 61.7 52.0 57.4 67.2 72.2 74.5

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Figure 7.6: Sound pressure level at various conditions (Source: Bruel & Kjaer)
Discussion:
The use of lightweight concrete walls might assist in providing better insulation for noise
and heat. Thicker walls (200mm aerated concrete) with light coloured exterior surfaces will
help to reduce outside noise penetration and solar heating of the walls.
It has been found that at a background sound level of 48 dBA the maximum distance for
normal speech intelligibility is about 7 m. At 53 dBA the distance falls to about 4 m and so
on (CIBSE, 1998). The ear adapts to different sound intensities and takes time to adjust to
changes in levels. The current UK Noise at Work Regulations suggests that employers need
to protect employees exposed to 90 dBA. The guidelines suggest that at 85 dBA workers
need to be informed about risks to their hearing arising from exposure to noise. Although, in

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most situations, noise levels in buildings will be well below this figure, in some cases, higher
levels can be reached. A sensitive human ear can detect sound down to about 10 dBA.
Normal speech is conducted at about 55 to 70 dBA and the threshold of pain is
approximately 130 dBA (Thomas, 1996).
It can be said that the sound level in all the case study buildings are quite high and are not
suitable for the office environment. Necessary action has to be taken to control the level to
the appropriate one for the benefit of the occupants.

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Figure 7.7: UMNO: Location area of respondents and measured parameters
UMNO Building by Zone Level
21.0
21.5
22.0
22.5
23.0
23.5
24.0
24.5
25.0
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
AirTemperature
(DegreeCelsius)
Low er Zone (7th Floor) Middle Zone (13th Floor) Higher Zone (19th Floor)
Air temperature reading by zone level
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
RelativeHumidity(%)
Relative humidity reading by zone level
0.00
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.10
0.12
0.14
0.16
0.18
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
AirVelocity(m/s)
Air velocity reading by zone level
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
5500
9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
LightIntensity(lux)
Daytime light intensity reading by zone level
UMNO Building by ZoneLevel
64
66
68
70
72
74
76
78
80
9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
Sound pressure level reading by zone level
UM013, UM014, UM015, UM016, UM017, UM018
Lower Zone (7th
Floor)
UM008, UM009, UM010, UM011, UM012
Middle Zone (13th
Floor)
UM001, UM002, UM003, UM004, UM005, UM006,
UM007
Higher Zone (19th
Floor)

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Figure 7.8: MNIAGA: Location area of respondents and measured parameters
Mesiniaga Building by Zone Level
22.5
23.0
23.5
24.0
24.5
25.0
25.5
26.0
26.5
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
AirTemperature
(DegreeCelsius)
Low er Zone (3rd Floor) Middle Zone (6th Floor) Higher Zone (11th Floor)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
RelativeHumidity(%)
0.00
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.10
0.12
0.14
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
AirVelocity(m/s)
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
LightIntensity(lux)
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
MN001,MN002,MN004,MN006,MN016,MN018,MN019,M
N019,MN020,MN021,MN022,MN023,MN024
Lower Zone (3rd
Floor)
MN007,MN008,MN009,MN013,MN014,MN015,MN017
Middle Zone (6th
Floor)
MN003,MN005,MN010,MN011,MN012
Higher Zone (11th
Floor)

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Figure 7.9: IBM: Location area of respondents and measured parameters
IBM Building by Zone Level
21.0
22.0
23.0
24.0
25.0
26.0
27.0
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
AirTemperature
(DegreeCelsius)
Low er Zone (6th Floor) Middle Zone (10th Floor)
Higher Zone (20th Floor) Higher Zone (22nd Floor)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
RelativeHumidity(%)
0.00
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.10
0.12
0.14
0.16
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
AirVelocity(m/s)
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
LightIntensity(lux)
64
66
68
70
72
74
76
78
80
9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
IB001,IB002,IB003,IB004,IB005,IB016,IB017
Lower Zone (6th
Floor)
IB007,IB008,IB009,IB010,IB018,IB019,IB020
Middle Zone (10th
Floor)
IB006,IB011,IB012,IB013,IB014,IB015
Higher Zone (22nd
Floor)

15
Figure 7.10: KOMTAR: Location area of respondents and measured parameters
KOMTAR Tower by Zone Level
23.6
23.8
24.0
24.2
24.4
24.6
24.8
25.0
25.2
25.4
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
AirTemperature
(DegreeCelsius)
Low er Zone (22nd Floor) Middle Zone (35th Floor) Higher Zone (51st Floor)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
RelativeHumidity(%)
0.00
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
0.07
0.08
0.09
0.10
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
AirVelocity(m/s)
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
5500
9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
LightIntensity(lux)
64
66
68
70
72
74
76
78
80
82
84
9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
SoudPressureLeveldB(A)
KT001, KT007, KT021, KT022, KT023, KT024, KT025,
KT026, KT027, KT028, KT029, KT030, KT031, KT032,
KT033, KT034, KT035, KT036, KT037, KT038, KT039,
KT040
Lower Zone (22nd
Floor)
KT002, KT005, KT015, KT016, KT017, KT018, KT019,
KT020, KT041
Middle Zone (35th
Floor)
KT003, KT004, KT008, KT009, KT010, KT011, KT012,
KT013, KT014
Higher Zone (51st
Floor)

16
Figure 7.11: TIMA: Location area of respondents and measured parameters
TIMA Tower by Zone Level
22.0
22.2
22.4
22.6
22.8
23.0
23.2
23.4
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
AirTemperature
(DegreeCelsius)
Middle Zone (18th Floor) Higher Zone (24th Floor)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
RelativeHumidity(%)
0.00
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.10
0.12
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
AirVelocity(m/s)
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
LightIntensity(lux)
64
66
68
70
72
74
76
78
80
82
84
9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
TM010,TM012,TM013,TM014,TM015,TM016,TM018,TM
019,TM020,TM021,TM023,TM025
Lower Zone (8th
Floor)
TM001,TM002,TM003,TM004,TM005,TM006,TM007,TM
008,TM009,TM017,TM022,TM028,
TM030,TM031,TM032,TM033
Middle Zone (18th
& 17th
Floor) DV
TM011, TM024, TM026, TM027, TM029
Higher Zone (24th
Floor)

17
Figure 7.12: LUTH: Location area of respondents and measured parameters
LUTH Tower by Zone Level
21.5
22.0
22.5
23.0
23.5
24.0
24.5
25.0
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
AirTemperature
(DegreeCelsius)
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
RelativeHumidity(%)
0
0.02
0.04
0.06
0.08
0.1
0.12
8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pm
AirVelocity(m/s)
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
LightIntensity(lux)
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
9:00am 11:00am 1:00pm 3:00pm 5:00pm
TH001,TH004,
TH11,TH12,TH13,TH14,TH15,TH16,TH18,TH19
Lower Zone (12th
Floor)
TH003,TH008,TH009,TH010,TH017,TH022,
TH023,TH024
Middle Zone (25th
Floor)
TH002,TH005,TH006,TH007,TH020,TH021
Higher Zone (36th
Floor)

18
Table 7.5: Indoor air temperature reading in bioclimatic buildings
Environmental
Measurement
UMNO MESINIAGA IBM
Measured
Parameters
Date
Time
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone
Building
Average
Lower Zone Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone
Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone
Higher
Zone
Building
Average7th Floor 13th
Floor
19th
Floor
3rd Floor 6th Floor 11th
Floor
6th
Floor 10th
Floor 20th
Floor 22nd
Floor
1. Air
Temperature,
Ta (0
C)
8:00am 23.1 23.6 23.1 23.3 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.1 23.2 25.3 24.2 23.4 24.0
9:00am 23.2 23.4 23.1 23.2 24.3 24.2 24.1 24.2 23.4 25.2 24.3 23.6 24.1
10:00am 23.3 23.2 23.2 23.2 24.1 24.7 24.3 24.4 23.5 25.4 24.5 23.6 24.3
11:00am 23.2 23.5 23.3 23.3 24.1 25.1 24.5 24.6 23.5 25.9 24.7 23.8 24.5
12:00pm 23.3 23.8 23.6 23.6 23.9 25.5 24.4 24.6 23.6 25.7 25.1 23.7 24.5
1:00pm 23.5 24.4 23.8 23.9 24.6 25.8 24.2 24.9 23.7 26.0 25.3 23.7 24.7
2:00pm 23.4 23.9 23.5 23.6 24.8 25.8 24.3 25.0 23.7 25.8 25.4 23.8 24.7
3:00pm 23.4 23.6 23.3 23.4 24.4 26.1 24.7 25.1 23.5 25.9 25.4 23.8 24.7
4:00pm 23.3 23.7 23.4 23.5 23.9 25.6 24.5 24.7 23.6 25.5 25.1 23.5 24.4
5:00pm 22.1 23.4 23.1 22.9 24.1 25.2 24.5 24.6 23.4 25.7 24.8 23.5 24.4
6:00pm 22.4 23.5 23.2 23.0 23.9 24.1 24.4 24.1 23.3 26.6 24.5 23.6 24.5
Daily
Average
23.1 23.6 23.3 23.4 24.2 25.1 24.4 24.6 23.5 25.7 24.8 23.6 24.4
UMNO MESINIAGA IBM
Average 23.4 24.6 24.4
Std Dev 0.40 0.61 0.98
Min 22.1 23.9 23.2
Max 24.4 26.1 26.6

19
Table 7.6: Indoor air temperature reading in conventional buildings
Environmental
Measurement
KOMTAR TIMA LUTH
Measured
Parameters
Date
Time
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average22nd
Floor
35th
Floor
51st
Floor
8th Floor
17th
Floor
18th
Floor
24th Floor
12th
Floor
25th
Floor
36th
Floor
1. Air
Temperature, Ta
(0
C)
8:00am 24.2 24.6 24.0 24.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.5 22.5 22.8 22.6 23.7 23.0
9:00am 24.3 24.7 24.0 24.3 22.6 22.7 22.6 22.5 22.6 22.7 22.8 23.6 23.0
10:00am 24.5 24.6 24.1 24.4 22.6 22.6 22.5 22.6 22.6 22.8 22.9 23.8 23.2
11:00am 24.6 24.8 24.2 24.5 22.6 22.6 22.6 22.6 22.6 23.0 23.1 24.2 23.4
12:00pm 24.7 24.8 24.3 24.6 22.7 22.7 22.8 22.7 22.7 22.9 23.5 24.5 23.6
1:00pm 25.0 25.1 24.5 24.9 22.7 22.7 22.8 22.8 22.8 23.1 23.7 24.4 23.7
2:00pm 25.0 25.2 24.4 24.9 23.1 23.1 23.0 23.1 23.1 23.5 23.6 24.5 23.9
3:00pm 24.8 24.9 24.4 24.7 23.1 23.2 23.2 23.3 23.2 23.5 23.6 24.2 23.8
4:00pm 24.8 25.0 24.3 24.7 23.0 23.2 23.1 23.1 23.1 23.3 23.4 23.8 23.5
5:00pm 24.5 24.7 24.3 24.5 22.8 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.0 23.3 23.3 23.6 23.4
6:00pm 24.3 24.8 24.2 24.4 22.7 23.0 23.2 23.3 23.1 23.0 23.2 23.2 23.1
Daily
Average
24.6 24.8 24.2 24.6 22.8 22.8 22.9 22.9 22.8 23.1 23.2 24.0 23.4
KOMTAR TIMA LUTH
Average 24.6 22.8 23.4
Std Dev 0.32 0.27 0.52
Min 24.0 22.4 22.6
Max 25.2 23.3 24.5

20
Table 7.7: Indoor relative humidity reading in bioclimatic buildings
Environmental
Measurement
UMNO MESINIAGA IBM
Measured
Parameters
Date
Time
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average
Lower Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average
7th Floor
13th
Floor
19th
Floor
3rd Floor 6th Floor
11th
Floor
6th
Floor
10th
Floor
20th
Floor
22nd
Floor
2. Relative
Humidity, RH
(%)
8:00am 65.8 69.4 69.1 68.1 67.3 61.4 65.6 64.8 69.1 67.8 62.0 61.3 65.1
9:00am 64.9 69.2 67.3 67.1 63.9 57.9 62.3 61.4 67.3 64.0 61.4 59.2 63.0
10:00am 62.4 65.2 65.9 64.5 61.7 54.5 60.1 58.8 62.8 64.1 58.3 57.6 60.7
11:00am 60.8 61.8 58.2 60.3 59.2 52.8 58.7 56.9 62.2 60.4 57.6 56.1 59.1
12:00pm 57.3 59.6 55.4 57.4 55.8 53.1 57.6 55.5 60.2 58.2 54.3 52.5 56.3
1:00pm 55.3 56.8 51.5 54.5 56.3 51.7 54.2 54.1 59.7 55.7 53.7 53.5 55.7
2:00pm 57.4 51.6 53.7 54.2 55.7 50.7 53.4 53.3 58.8 55.0 51.8 50.7 54.1
3:00pm 54.3 54.6 56.5 55.1 54.3 50.2 55.8 53.4 59.3 52.2 51.2 51.2 53.5
4:00pm 56.0 52.1 57.5 55.2 57.3 51.6 56.5 55.1 60.5 51.3 52.6 54.3 54.7
5:00pm 61.7 56.0 60.8 59.5 58.7 51.3 60.2 56.7 61.9 56.6 55.9 52.2 56.7
6:00pm 63.5 60.9 61.3 61.9 60.2 52.3 61.7 58.1 63.5 57.4 59.2 55.1 58.8
Daily
Average
59.9 59.7 59.7 59.8 59.1 53.4 58.7 57.1 62.3 58.4 56.2 54.9 57.9
UMNO MESINIAGA IBM
Average 59.8 57.1 57.9
Std Dev 5.25 4.44 4.78
Min 51.5 50.2 50.7
Max 69.4 67.3 69.1

21
Table 7.8: Indoor relative humidity reading in conventional buildings
Environmental
Measurement
KOMTAR TIMA LUTH
Measured
Parameters
Date
Time
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average22nd
Floor
35th
Floor
51st
Floor
8th Floor
17th
Floor
18th
Floor
24th Floor
12th
Floor
25th
Floor
36th
Floor
2. Relative
Humidity, RH
(%)
8:00am 62.7 63.4 65.1 63.7 72.8 71.3 68.1 70.8 70.8 72.2 71.6 66.6 70.1
9:00am 60.9 62.1 63.5 62.2 71.2 68.9 67.7 69.6 69.4 70.7 67.3 64.3 67.4
10:00am 57.3 58.0 62.3 59.2 69.6 68.7 64.3 66.9 67.4 65.1 63.3 63.8 64.1
11:00am 56.6 56.1 58.7 57.1 68.2 66.3 64.1 66.8 66.4 64.2 61.6 62.7 62.8
12:00pm 55.4 53.4 58.2 55.7 64.9 64.4 62.7 61.3 63.3 60.0 60.3 61.4 60.6
1:00pm 54.2 49.9 56.6 53.6 65.3 61.7 61.7 59.3 62.0 58.7 56.9 60.1 58.6
2:00pm 51.3 48.7 55.4 51.8 62.4 60.2 60.4 57.7 60.2 60.7 59.4 59.3 59.8
3:00pm 51.6 50.6 54.6 52.3 62.9 57.8 59.4 56.6 59.2 62.3 61.1 60.6 61.3
4:00pm 55.4 53.8 58.4 55.9 63.7 58.2 60.8 57.7 60.1 63.1 64.8 62.6 63.5
5:00pm 58.1 56.6 60.1 58.3 64.7 60.7 64.1 62.1 62.9 67.8 67.4 64.7 66.6
6:00pm 60.3 58.3 62.3 60.3 66.6 62.4 63.8 64.3 64.3 70.5 68.2 64.9 67.9
Daily
Average
56.7 55.5 59.6 57.3 66.6 63.7 63.4 63.0 64.2 65.0 63.8 62.8 63.9
KOMTAR TIMA LUTH
Average 57.3 64.2 63.9
Std Dev 4.24 4.16 3.93
Min 48.7 56.6 56.9
Max 65.1 72.8 72.2

22
Table 7.9: Indoor air velocity reading in bioclimatic buildings
Environmental
Measurement
UMNO MESINIAGA IBM
Measured
Parameters
Date
Time
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone
Building
Average
Lower Zone Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone
Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone
Higher
Zone
Building
Floor
19th
Floor
Floor
6th
Floor 10th
Floor 20th
Floor 22nd
Floor
3. Air Velocity
(Wind)
V (m/s)
8:00am 0.08 0.06 0.06 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.05 0.06 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.07 0.06
9:00am 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.07 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.06 0.03 0.04 0.03 0.05 0.04
10:00am 0.07 0.09 0.08 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.07 0.06
11:00am 0.16 0.09 0.16 0.14 0.08 0.06 0.05 0.06 0.11 0.07 0.06 0.05 0.07
12:00pm 0.10 0.10 0.07 0.09 0.08 0.09 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.09 0.06 0.07 0.08
1:00pm 0.14 0.12 0.08 0.11 0.13 0.09 0.12 0.11 0.09 0.12 0.14 0.04 0.10
2:00pm 0.08 0.09 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.11 0.08 0.09 0.08 0.08 0.10 0.07 0.08
3:00pm 0.09 0.11 0.05 0.08 0.12 0.09 0.07 0.09 0.08 0.06 0.09 0.08 0.08
4:00pm 0.08 0.09 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.05 0.07 0.09 0.06 0.04 0.08 0.07
5:00pm 0.07 0.07 0.06 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.05 0.06 0.05 0.06
6:00pm 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.07 0.09 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06
Daily
Average
0.092 0.087 0.077 0.09 0.086 0.078 0.067 0.08 0.075 0.068 0.070 0.063 0.07
UMNO MESINIAGA IBM
Average 0.09 0.08 0.07
Std Dev 0.03 0.02 0.02
Min 0.05 0.05 0.03
Max 0.16 0.13 0.14

23
Table 7.10: Indoor air velocity reading in conventional buildings
Environmental
Measurement
KOMTAR TIMA LUTH
Measured
Parameters
Date
Time
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average22nd
Floor
35th
Floor
51st
Floor
8th Floor
17th
Floor
18th
Floor
24th Floor
12th
Floor
25th
Floor
36th
Floor
3. Air Velocity
(Wind)
V (m/s)
8:00am 0.04 0.04 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.06 0.05 0.05
9:00am 0.04 0.04 0.07 0.05 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.06 0.04 0.07 0.07 0.08 0.07
10:00am 0.04 0.03 0.06 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.05 0.05
11:00am 0.04 0.09 0.09 0.07 0.03 0.10 0.11 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.06 0.05 0.06
12:00pm 0.05 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.08 0.04 0.09 0.07
1:00pm 0.06 0.07 0.05 0.06 0.11 0.03 0.02 0.07 0.06 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.06
2:00pm 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.05 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.08 0.06 0.09 0.08
3:00pm 0.08 0.09 0.08 0.08 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.06 0.04 0.06 0.05 0.09 0.07
4:00pm 0.04 0.04 0.06 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.09 0.06
5:00pm 0.05 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.08 0.07 0.11 0.09
6:00pm 0.06 0.04 0.07 0.06 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.06 0.06 0.08 0.07
Daily
Average
0.049 0.055 0.065 0.06 0.050 0.048 0.043 0.051 0.05 0.066 0.055 0.076 0.07
KOMTAR TIMA LUTH
Average 0.06 0.05 0.07
Std Dev 0.02 0.02 0.02
Min 0.03 0.02 0.04
Max 0.09 0.11 0.11

24
Table 7.11: Indoor light meter reading in bioclimatic buildings
Environmental
Measurement
UMNO MESINIAGA IBM
Measured
Parameters
Date
Time
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone
Building
Average
Lower Zone Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone
Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone
Higher
Zone
Building
Floor
19th
Floor
Floor
6th
Floor 10th
Floor 20th
Floor 22nd
Floor
4. Light Meter
(Brightness)
Lux
9:00am 4860 4120 3980 4320 2220 2990 2120 2443 2490 3570 1790 2850 2675
11:00am 4530 4020 4440 4330 1940 3160 1590 2230 1620 3140 2560 3560 2720
1:00pm 4470 3890 4080 4147 1140 3040 1210 1797 2250 1370 2350 3570 2385
3:00pm 4500 3790 4310 4200 2110 3100 2370 2527 2320 3470 1810 2680 2570
5:00pm 4480 3880 4120 4160 1520 3080 1440 2013 1870 2760 1260 2660 2138
Daily
Average
4568 3940 4186 4231 1786 3074 1746 2202 2110 2862 1954 3064 2498
UMNO MESINIAGA IBM
Average 4231 2202 2498
Std Dev 307 730 729
Min 3790 1140 1260
Max 4860 3160 3570

25
Table 7.12: Indoor light meter reading in conventional buildings
Environmental
Measurement
KOMTAR TIMA LUTH
Measured
Parameters
Date
Time
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average22nd
Floor
35th
Floor
51st
Floor
8th Floor
17th
Floor
18th
Floor
24th Floor
12th
Floor
25th
Floor
36th
Floor
4. Light Meter
(Brightness)
Lux
9:00am 4770 3520 4590 4293 3130 2680 2570 2070 2613 2130 3050 2680 2620
11:00am 4890 3370 4750 4337 3200 2140 2410 2180 2483 1920 3260 2810 2663
1:00pm 4090 3290 4240 3873 2160 2300 2230 2560 2313 2290 2800 3200 2763
3:00pm 4200 3130 4960 4097 2430 2440 2340 2330 2385 1710 3010 3430 2717
5:00pm 4300 3930 4850 4360 2760 1960 2110 2470 2325 2100 2980 3450 2843
Daily
Average
4450 3448 4678 4192 2736 2304 2332 2322 2424 2030 3020 3114 2721
KOMTAR TIMA LUTH
Average 4192 2424 2721
Std Dev 625 328 561
Min 3130 1960 1710
Max 4960 3200 3450

26
Table 7.13: Indoor sound meter reading in bioclimatic buildings
Environmental
Measurement
UMNO MESINIAGA IBM
Measured
Parameters
Date
Time
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone
Building
Average
Lower Zone Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone
Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone
Higher
Zone
Building
Floor
19th
Floor
Floor
6th
Floor 10th
Floor 20th
Floor 22nd
Floor
5. Sound Meter
Level dB(A)
9:00am 75.5 70.9 78.0 74.8 71.9 72.6 74.2 72.9 77.5 72.1 73.3 74.8 74.4
11:00am 76.7 72.8 72.6 74.0 73.8 75.0 72.2 73.7 71.8 72.8 74.6 78.2 74.4
1:00pm 78.1 68.9 72.3 73.1 73.2 73.9 73.8 73.6 73.2 73.5 75.2 73.5 73.9
3:00pm 76.6 70.7 73.0 73.4 74.2 74.2 73.5 74.0 75.0 70.0 74.3 72.0 72.8
5:00pm 77.6 71.5 74.7 74.6 75.1 74.5 72.7 74.1 72.6 71.4 72.5 73.1 72.4
Daily
Average
76.9 71.0 74.1 74.0 73.6 74.0 73.3 73.7 74.0 72.0 74.0 74.3 73.6
UMNO MESINIAGA IBM
Average 74.0 73.7 73.6
Std Dev 2.96 0.97 1.96
Min 68.9 71.9 70.0
Max 78.1 75.1 78.2

27
Table 7.14: Indoor sound meter reading in conventional buildings
Environmental
Measurement
KOMTAR TIMA LUTH
Measured
Parameters
Date
Time
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average
Lower
Zone
Middle
Zone
Higher
Zone Building
Average22nd
Floor
35th
Floor
51st
Floor
8th Floor
17th
Floor
18th
Floor
24th Floor
12th
Floor
25th
Floor
36th
Floor
5. Sound Meter
Level dB(A)
9:00am 81.5 78.5 80.2 80.1 80.1 72.4 77.3 75.8 76.4 74.9 75.3 75.7 75.3
11:00am 73.3 79.1 72.4 74.9 79.9 75.6 76.5 74.5 76.6 75.5 72.8 75.1 74.5
1:00pm 77.0 78.3 73.7 76.3 80.5 77.8 78.8 75.4 78.1 76.9 73.7 76.2 75.6
3:00pm 75.4 79.0 70.9 75.1 81.3 70.4 72.4 77.3 75.4 77.2 76.6 74.6 76.1
5:00pm 76.6 80.0 75.5 77.4 78.6 74.3 79.5 76.5 77.2 75.3 74.6 75.3 75.1
Daily
Average
76.8 79.0 74.5 76.8 80.1 74.1 76.9 75.9 76.7 76.0 74.6 75.4 75.3
KOMTAR TIMA LUTH
Average 76.8 76.7 75.3
Std Dev 3.15 2.96 1.16
Min 70.9 70.4 72.8
Max 81.5 81.3 77.2

Figure 7.13: UMNO: Photographic view of several locations in buildings
Lower Zone (9th
Floor Lower Zone (7th
Floor)
Reception Level 13th Middle Zone (13th
Floor)
Reception Level 19th Higher Zone (19th
Floor)
Management Office Meeting Room

Figure 7.14: MESINIAGA: Photographic view of several locations in buildings
Lower Zone (3rd
Floor) Lower Zone (3rd
Floor)
Middle Zone (6th
Floor) Middle Zone (6th
Floor)
Higher Zone (11th
Floor) Higher Zone (11th
Floor)
Meeting Room Main Reception

Figure 7.15: KOMTAR: Photographic view of several locations in buildings
Reception Level 22nd Lower Zone (22nd
Floor)
Middle Zone (35th
Floor)
Higher Zone (51st
Floor) Higher Zone (51st
Floor)
Control Room Cooling Tower

Figure 7.16: TIMA: Photographic view of several locations in buildings
Lower Zone (8th
Floor) Lower Zone (8th
Floor)
Middle Zone (18th
& 17th
Floor) DV Middle Zone (18th
& 17th
Floor) DV
Higher Zone (24th
Floor) Higher Zone (24th
Floor)
Management Office Higher Zone (24th
Floor)

Figure 7.17: LUTH: Photographic view of several locations in buildings
Lower Zone (12th
Floor) Lower Zone (12th
Floor)
Middle Zone (25th
Floor)
Discussion Room Higher Zone (36th
Floor)
Control Room Higher Zone (36th
Floor)

7.5 Summary and conclusion
The measurements in all bioclimatic and conventional buildings show that bioclimatic
buildings have an average temperature slightly higher than that of conventional buildings,
ranging from 23.1°C to 25.7°C with an average of 24.1°C for bioclimatic buildings and from
23.0°C to 24.3°C with an average of 23.6°C for conventional ones. This significantly shows
the relative humidity average for all bioclimatic buildings; 58.5% slightly lower than that of
conventional types; 61.8% as shown in table 7.1. The air velocity in bioclimatic buildings on
average is shown to be a bit higher than the conventional ones with an average of 0.08 ms-1
and 0.06 ms-1
respectively.
The light intensity level (combine sources) for all buildings shows the average for
bioclimatic is 2977 lux, lower than the conventional ones, 3112 lux (see table 7.2). However
the measured levels for both types are higher than the recommended level for office lighting
which is between (500 to 1000 lux). The levels in these case study buildings, are very high
for all buildings and should be lowered down to an appropriate condition i.e. reduce the
artificial lighting source or provide users with a control system. This is a great advantage to
reduce energy consumption for artificial lighting as natural lighting may have provided the
necessary amount to cater for a variety of office work. However, during the time when the
sky may be partially cloudy, the diffused radiation from the sky may lower the light intensity
by natural means. The rainy season during the monsoon in the tropics will create a totally
different condition. Therefore the reduction in artificial means should be handled carefully
by taking the mentioned conditions into considerations.
Table 7.15: Average measured parameter by building type (derived from table 7.1 – 7.3)
BIOCLIMATIC CONVENTIONAL
a. Air
Temperature
(o
C)
Average 24.1 23.6
Std Dev 0.66 0.37
Min 23.1 23.0
Max 25.7 24.3
b. Relative
Humidity (%)
Average 58.3 61.8
Std Dev 4.82 4.11
Min 50.8 54.1
Max 68.6 70.0
c. Air Velocity
(ms-1
)
Average 0.08 0.06
Std Dev 0.02 0.02
Min 0.04 0.03
Max 0.14 0.10
d. Light
Intensity (lux)
Average 2977 3112
Std Dev 589 505
Min 2063 2267
Max 3863 3870
e. Sound Level
dB(A)
Average 73.8 76.3
Std Dev 1.96 2.42
Min 70.3 71.4
Max 77.1 80.0

From the measurements obtained in all case study buildings either for bioclimatic or
conventional, it will be necessary to improve sound level condition in Malaysian offices. It
was expected that bioclimatic buildings may have higher sound levels as opening for natural
ventilation in communal areas may transmit the noise into the office area. However, the
reading shows that bioclimatic buildings have an average of 73.8 dB(A) slightly lower than
that of conventional ones 76.3 dB(A). The bottom line is that both types of building have
higher sound levels than supposed in an office building. Several steps should be taken to
reduce the level down to the appropriate value to between 60 – 70 dBA.
The previous chapter showed how the architectural features were perceived by the occupants
in the buildings themselves. This chapter describes what the indoor environmental conditions
are, for all of the case study buildings and shows several differences as mentioned above.
Although there are differences in terms of those mentioned environmental parameters among
all buildings and between conventional and bioclimatic buildings types, it was found that the
indoor conditions for all buildings are within the acceptable comfort zones determined by
many related organisation as mentioned above. The question is how the user perceived the
conditions and whether the conditions provided are energy saving or otherwise. In the next
chapter we will see how the occupants perceived the indoor environments and to what extent
they were satisfied with the conditions.

Chapter 7 measurement of environmental conditions

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