Session: 03-01: Advances in Indoor Environment Technologies and Solutions

Paper Number: 157011

157011 - Improving Indoor Environmental Quality and Occupant Wellbeing: Introducing a Holistic Iot-Integrated Platform for Real-Time Monitoring and Management of Air Quality and Comfort 

Abstract: 

The integration of advanced sensor technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming the way we monitor indoor environments, offering new opportunities to enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals who spend over 80% of their time indoors, whether at home, in schools, or workplaces. With growing concerns about airborne contaminants and viruses like COVID-19, the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) has become a key public health issue. While green building standards focus on energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprints, a truly healthy building goes beyond these criteria, prioritizing the comfort, health, and wellbeing of its occupants.

Indoor air quality can be affected by a wide range of sources, including furniture, cleaning products, paints, pets, and cooking. However, assessing the impact of these various factors is complex and requires an integrated system capable of tracking, analyzing, and mitigating their effects. Key IAQ parameters include particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). For example, the US EPA recommends that outdoor PM2.5 levels remain below 12 µg/m³ and PM10 levels not exceed 54 µg/m³. In indoor environments, CO2 levels in well-ventilated spaces should range between 450-1000 ppm, with prolonged exposure to elevated CO2 levels linked to symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and impaired cognitive function. IAQ is further influenced by factors such as building size, location, occupancy, activities, HVAC systems, building materials, and insulation. Current experimental data indicates that infiltration from outdoor pollutants can significantly affect indoor air quality, underscoring the need for comprehensive measurements of both indoor and outdoor environmental conditions. Given the multivariate nature of IAQ, addressing pollution from multiple sources presents considerable challenges. A holistic tool for quantitatively evaluating IAQ, one that accounts for the collective impact of various pollutants, is essential. Although significant research has been conducted on IAQ sensing technologies, gaps remain in accurately interpreting data and developing effective decision-support tools.

This talk presents the development of a Healthy-Smart Building Platform designed to monitor, analyze, and manage both indoor air quality and thermal comfort. The platform integrates environmental sensors, communication protocols, and management tools to continuously monitor key IAQ parameters in real-time. It processes the data, triggering mitigation strategies whenever the indoor air quality falls below acceptable or prespecified thresholds. The system includes a central controller, a web/mobile application for user interaction, and cloud or Ethernet connectivity for continuous monitoring and alerts. Key platform capabilities include data collection, sensor calibration, IAQ analysis, and control of ventilation or air purification systems based on real-time feedback. The goal is to provide a scalable, user-centered solution that improves IAQ, enhances occupant comfort, and promotes overall health in both residential and commercial spaces. The platform's empirical validation will offer valuable insights into how smart building technologies can contribute to healthier indoor environments and guide future advancements in the field. This work represents an important step toward creating intelligent, connected environments that prioritize occupant wellbeing by integrating smart sensors and data-driven solutions to improve indoor environmental quality.

Presenting Author: Monem Beitelmal Hamad Bin Khalifa University/QEERI

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Beitelmal is a Principal Scientist leading research efforts on energy efficiency, indoor environment management systems, and operational sustainability at the Qatar Environment and Research Institute (QEERI). He previously served as an associate professor of mechanical engineering with the Mechanical Engineering Department at Santa Clara University (2009-2013). Before joining SCU, Dr. Beitelmal spent eight years as a Research Scientist at Hewlett-Packard Laboratories in Palo Alto California. His research work at HP Labs covered various areas in energy, thermal management, and sustainability from smart thermal control in handheld devices and systems to data centers. He currently holds over 60 US-granted patents. Dr. Beitelmal is actively involved in developing and implementing energy-efficiency strategies and indoor air quality management programs for buildings. His work focuses on reducing the building operations' environmental impact while improving the comfort and well-being of occupants. He is a senior member of the US National Academy of Inventors and an Associate Editor with the ASME Journal of Engineering for Sustainable Buildings and Cities.