The improvement of indoor environment in computer-classes

Abstract

The indoor environment in classrooms of Tallinn University of Technology was investigated. The classrooms are located in the new building (FEBA) and in the 25 years old building (FI). The main disadvantage in these rooms is the improper design of workplaces as the light is coming from the behind the student using the computer, even in the new building. This shows the inconsideration of ergonomic principles during the design of computer workplaces. The windows are equipped with blinds, but they transmit the light through the space between the adjacent blind. In the building of FEBA the windows are mostly directed North and West, so the sunlight is falling on the screen of the computer only afternoons (in April, May, September the sunlight is the strongest). In autumn-winter it is very dark in Estonia, so the work conditions with computers are better from October to March. The temperature of the air (21-220C) and the lighting of keyboards (360lx) and the screens (200-300lx) were within the norms, but the humidity of the rooms (15%) was below the norm (measurements in February, during the period of central heating of the rooms). The rooms were not over-equipped with computers in the new building (5 m2 per one computer), but the classrooms in the building of FI were over-crowded with computers. The content of CO2 in the air (until 1200 ppm) was over the limits (800 ppm). The health complaints and diseases connected with the continuous work with computers in the Estonian office-rooms were analysed in the paper using the data of the National Labour Inspectorate. The conclusion: in the ventilation system, the sensors for air temperature and CO2 both have to be used to gain normal indoor environment conditions in computer-equipped classrooms. Interior architect has to consider the ergonomics of workplaces.