REVIEW OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY (IAQ) ASSESSMENT IN INSTITUTIONAL LIBRARIES: A CASE STUDY OF UiTM PERAK

Abstract

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to the assessment of temperature and pollutant levels that may negatively impact occupants' comfort, health, and productivity within a building. Insufficient ventilation in university libraries leads to pollutant accumulation, poor indoor air quality, discomfort, health issues, and reduced cognitive performance, affecting students' well-being, productivity, and overall learning environment. This study focuses on evaluating factors influencing IAQ in institutional libraries, specifically the libraries at UiTM Perak, including UiTM Seri Iskandar and UiTM Tapah. The primary objective is to analyse fieldwork techniques used in previous IAQ studies on Malaysian university libraries, emphasizing parameters such as temperature, air velocity, relative humidity, and chemical pollutants, including carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. The study employs a literature review to establish IAQ criteria, including temperature, carbon dioxide levels, ventilation, relative humidity, odour, and overall air freshness, as benchmarks for assessing indoor environmental quality. Data were collected from academic papers, and the findings confirmed key IAQ parameters, such as temperature, carbon dioxide levels, humidity, ventilation, and air freshness. Previous studies and journals validated these factors, which were compiled into a matrix table. This research provides valuable insights into IAQ assessment in institutional libraries, contributing to improved indoor environments for occupants' well-being.