Influence of building- and occupant-related factors on perceived air quality (PAQ) in offices: A systematic review

Achieving good Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in offices goes beyond protecting health; it also enhances comfort, enjoyment, and productivity. While much of the existing literature focuses on how environmental factors (e.g., contaminants, thermal, visual, and acoustic parameters) affect Perceived Air Quality (PAQ), fewer studies have comprehensively explored the influence of building-related (e.g., finishing materials) and occupant-related (e.g., socio-demographic) factors. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, this review critically analyses the existing evidence (39 field and laboratory studies) on building- and occupant-related factors that influence PAQ satisfaction in office buildings and their implications for building design and management. According to the review results, building- related factors affecting PAQ satisfaction include HVAC systems, personal comfort systems, operable windows, emissions from furniture and materials, building and office types, and workplace location within the building. Occupant-related factors include socio-demographics, building tenure, country, occupancy rates, and habits such as eating or cleaning. Moreover, the perceived and actual control over the indoor environment significantly influences PAQ satisfaction. Notably, non-IEQ factors like office layout and ventilation rates have a major impact on PAQ, with enclosed private offices increasing satisfaction by 88 % compared to open spaces without partitions and increasing ventilation rates from 3 to 20 L/s per person boosting satisfaction by 63 %. The study promotes a holistic approach to building design and management, empowering all professionals involved (e.g., mechanical engineers, architects, building managers) by highlighting the influence their individual choices can have on PAQ satisfaction.