Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Noise Detection in Open-Plan Offices Using Recursive Partitioning

Gino Iannace,Amelia Trematerra,Giuseppe Ciaburro

doi:10.3390/buildings8120169

Gino Iannace, Amelia Trematerra + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings8120169

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Journal: Buildings	Publication Date: Dec 3, 2018
Citations: 31	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"

Abstract

Open-plan offices have lower construction costs, allowing for significant savings in space and, according to designers, facilitate communication between workers, thus, improving collaboration, as well as the exchange of ideas. For these reasons, this type of office has become widespread, while highlighting numerous limitations and various problems. These include the control of anthropic and electromechanical noise. In this study, measurements of the noise emitted by a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system were carried out in an open-plan office. The average spectral levels in a 1/3 octave band were compared through correlation analysis, to identify any redundant data. A model was then adapted to evaluate the importance of the variables, in order to classify the characteristics, by importance. To reduce the number of predictor variables, a selection analysis of the characteristics was carried out. A subset of predictors was extracted to be used to produce an accurate prediction model. Finally, a model based on recursive partitioning, to detect the operating conditions of an HVAC system, was developed and applied, so as to provide insights into the development and application of this technique, in these contexts. The high accuracy of the model (Accuracy = 0.9981) suggests the adoption of this tool for several applications.

Highlights

IntroductionThe organization of the working hours has been heavily influenced by globalization
Nowadays, the organization of the working hours has been heavily influenced by globalization.Due to the ever-increasing competition in the market, employers tend to demand productivity gains and increasingly heavy work rates from their employees
The essential elements that must be taken into account when creating a comfortable work environment are, lighting, acoustic, and thermal comfort

Summary

Introduction

The organization of the working hours has been heavily influenced by globalization. Due to the ever-increasing competition in the market, employers tend to demand productivity gains and increasingly heavy work rates from their employees. On the other hand, tend to identify themselves more and more with their work, employing all their energies in it. Much psychic pathology (stress, panic, anxiety, etc.) can be derived from an inadequate working environment, generating discomfort in individuals and interfering, negatively, with their ability to express their potential. The essential elements that must be taken into account when creating a comfortable work environment are, lighting, acoustic, and thermal comfort. The introduction of continuous technological processes has led to the multiplication of noise sources and an increase in the percentage of workers exposed to this risk factor

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Conclusion