Abstract
This paper presents experimental results from a typical school building in Athens, equipped partly with a green roof system (GRS). Environmental monitoring took place in six classrooms located both under the concrete roof and the GRS sectors as well as in the immediate external environment during the warm and cold periods of a school year. Daily measurements of pollutants CO2, TVOCs (Total Volatile Organic Compound), PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 were performed in selected classes. Moreover, indoor ambient temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) measurements were implemented in order to estimate the absolute humidity (AH) and assess the indoor environmental conditions. The results highlight that during summer, the GRS reduces temperature in a classroom on the top floor by about 2.8 °C, in comparison with the respective classroom under the concrete roof and that AH remained relatively stable for both classrooms. Amid winter, a reverse behavior occurs only for temperature. Moreover, air exchange rates (AER) were calculated by using the CO2 decay method for all of the classrooms. The results demonstrated insufficient ventilation for all experimental sights. Finally, concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10, were found to be relatively decreased, with average values of 0.79, 3.39, and 27.80 μg m−3. Levels of CO2 and TVOCs were elevated during class hours ranging from 469 to 779 ppm and from 6.63 ppm to 13.33 ppm, respectively, but generally within the respective limits of exposure. The examination of the indoor/outdoor (I/O) ratio of air pollutants, demonstrated that the outdoor meteorology affects only PM1 and PM2.5, as PM10 and TVOCs are strongly affected by internal sources and the activities of pupils.
Highlights
Green roof system (GRS) can mitigate building's thermal load [1], reduce local PM10 concentrations [2] and improve the management of rainwater
The aim of this paper is to present the results of an experimental campaign that took place in a Greek primary school close to the center of Athens with an installed green roof system (GRS)
The purpose of the campaign performed during June–July 2016 was to examine the temperature and relative humidity regimes of the classrooms when empty
Summary
Green roof system (GRS) can mitigate building's thermal load [1], reduce local PM10 concentrations [2] and improve the management of rainwater. It is a constructive innovation with many energy benefits that at the same time are accompanied by a considerable economic cost. [4] highlight that along the economic aspect of maintenance, CO2 emissions as well as the energy balance of the building should be considered for each case. A study by [5] reports that white roofs have better results than conventional concrete ones, but in cases of electric heating of the building, the GRS has the second best performance.
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