Vorakamol Boonyayothin. A suitable air intake rate for hotels in Thailand. Master's Degree(Industrial Hygiene and Safety). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2005.
Abstract:
The tourism industry in Thailand has rapidly increased and it has caused the expansion of related businesses such as hotels. Competition among hotels is not only on the quantity of rooms but also the quality of services and management. Indoor air quality (IAQ) has been recognized as one such service and concerns in any Europeans and Americans who are the majority of tourists to Thailand. The purpose of this research was to study IAQ in hotels in order to suggest the air intake rate for 4 types of the rooms. Air intake rate, carbon dioxide (CO2), respirable particulate, temperature and relative humidity were measured in 28 hotels, and studied in 14 lobbies, 15 dining rooms, 28 conference rooms and 43 bedrooms. Complaints data were collected from 686 occupants, staff and guests using self administered questionnaires. The variables were analyzed to identify the correlations and linear regression of the best correlations pairs were used for prediction of the suitable air intake rates. This study showed that, for all room types, the air intake rate correlated with CO2 levels, but not with respirable particulate concentrations. Air intake rates also correlated with the occupants complaints, except in bedrooms. The complaint symptoms concerning air intake rates were eye irritation, nose irritation, shortness of breath and chest pain. The room temperature had a relationship with skin irritation and too cold only in the lobby. According to this study, the proposed air intake rates for the four types of the rooms considered in this study were: lobbies 18 cfm/person, dining rooms 15 cfm/person, conference rooms 23 cfm/person and bedrooms 15 cfm/room. Comparing ASHRAE recommended air intake rates for such types of the rooms, only the rates proposed for dining rooms and bedrooms were lower than ASHRAE rates."