American University of Sharjah, which was founded in 1997 by Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, is located in the United Arab Emirates. The university was shortlisted for the Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC) Awards Program, which is an award program that recognizes architects, contractors, and consultants who display noticeable execution of sustainable construction, building designing, and general operation of structures and buildings (American University of Sharjah, 2015). The campus is devoted to incorporated procedures and policies that create a balance between the ecosystem vivacity and economic feasibility (American University of Sharjah, 2015).

What is indoor environmental quality?

             Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) comprises the indoor conditions within a building. These conditions are the lighting, the air quality, the ergonomics, and the thermal conditions of the building. IEQ also examines how these conditions have an effect on the building’s residents or occupants. IEQ strategies aim at improving the quality of life, protecting human health, reducing potential harm, and minimizing stress. Enhanced indoor environmental quality can improve the lives of building residents or occupants. It also reduces liability to building owners and increases the value of a building in the event of a resale (Coyle, 2015).

Why is it important for buildings?

            In the case of a building that accommodates various business entities, IEQ’s strategies improve the employees’ health, comfort while at work and their overall productivity and this will result to huge profits for the businesses. IEQ provides an exciting and comfortable atmosphere for the residents of a building while minimizing the health risks. It makes occupants of the building to feel relaxed and hence perform well in their duties. IEQ also provides solutions that conserve water, energy, and other materials that will better the experience of being indoors (Coyle, 2015).

The requirements of indoor quality

Indoor Environmental Quality requires that the lighting, the air quality, the ergonomics, and the thermal conditions of a building are favorable to the building’s occupants or residents. The Business Administration building within the campus is considered a green building as it adheres to these requirements.

Environmental tobacco smoke control

            The quality of air in the building is clean and without any form of contamination and optimal fresh air is maintained. The building is well ventilated, as the ventilation pipes are located in a suitable place away from loading areas, exhaust fans and other contamination points. For maximum ventilation, these pipes should be preferably located at the rooftop of the building (National Institute of Building Sciences, 2014). Tobacco smoking leads to air contamination and therefore should be controlled. Tobacco smoking is therefore prohibited in the building.

Daylight

Daylight has been used in the building for ambient lighting. In addition to the windows in offices and classrooms, the building has two big spots at the top whereby sunlight can enter.

Interior Lighting

            Natural light in the building has been supplemented by interior lighting from lamps and high-frequency electronic ballasts. There is sufficient lighting in the building. The walls are painted using light color paints and this further improves the interior lighting. The building’s windows are large and located in appropriate places in the building to ensure maximum interior lighting. The building also has a place where someone is able to adjust the light, to control the lighting, and to control the quality of light in the building.                            

References

American University of Sharjah. (2015). AUS shortlisted for prestigious EGBC Awards. 

American University of Sharjah. (2015). Sustainability. 

Coyle, T. (2015). Green Building 101: What is indoor environmental quality?

National Institute of Building Sciences. (2014). Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ).