A multivariate-logistic model for acceptance of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in offices

The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in offices is examined from the prospect of an occupant's acceptance in four aspects: thermal comfort, indoor air quality, noise level and illumination level. Based on the evaluations made by 293 occupants of the IEQ of offices in Hong Kong, empirical expressions have been proposed to approximate an overall IEQ acceptance of an office environment at certain operative temperature (T-o), carbon dioxide concentration (CO2), equivalent noise level (L-eq) and illumination level (lux). The overall IEQ acceptance is calculated from a multivariate logistic regression model. A range of acceptance in typical office environmental conditions and its dependence on the four parameters stated above are determined for design conditions. The proposed overall IEQ acceptance can be used as a quantitative assessment criterion for an office environment and similar environment where an occupant's evaluation is expected. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.