The influence of indoor environment in office buildings on their occupants: expected–unexpected

The problems associated with the influence of the heating environment and quality of air on people in an office environment are discussed. The mechanical and natural ventilated buildings are analyzed in light of the hypothesis that the appearance of health conditions associated with sick building syndrome are influenced in a statistically significant manner by the method of ventilation. Research was based on the measurement of parameters in the given indoor environment and a simultaneous survey of those employed. The survey questions dealt with elements of the indoor environment, health status and health problems of those surveyed for the 6 months prior to the research, as well as their current state of health. Deviations were verified using the predicted mean vote (PMV)—predicted percent of dissatisfied (PPD) model (PMV–PDD), as well as the measured state and the subjective evaluation of those surveyed. The subjectively stated reasons for the health problems of employees gave precedence to natural, as opposed to mechanical, ventilation, which is confirmed by the average absenteeism from work for health reasons (i.e. the index of health). Suitable analytical methods were used to analyze the data. The findings from the study indicate a significant role for the psychological state and psychological factors of the respondents when subjectively describing the indoor environment.