Indoor environment and health

Research directed by Prof. Claude-Alain Roulet before his retirement (Archives)

Group leader: Prof. Claude-Alain Roulet (now retired)

After the retirement of Prof. Roulet, research in Indoor Environment Quality and Health was discontinued at the LESO-PB. However, as a great specialist of the domain, Prof. C.-A. Roulet has produced a great wealth of scientific knowledge and developments which will serve as a reference for years to come.

The main purpose of buildings is to provide a comfortable living environment to their occupants. This includes, among others, thermal, visual and acoustic comfort as well as indoor air quality. Global warming is a strong incentive to save energy and to lower the impact of buildings on the environment.

Towards a sustainable development policy, the aim of the research performed in the IEQH group was to provide architects with valuable advice, methods and tools, helping them to design buildings that are comfortable and healthy, with a minimum use of energy and technical installations. Mathematical modelling and experimental validation was used to better understand phenomena that influence the indoor environment quality.

photo ieqh illustration

More recent projects:

  • Improving summer comfort to reduce the need of artificial cooling – EEDACS
  • Drawing a map of the thermal comfort in occupied spaces – RADIACONF (description in French)
  • Calculating the total energy use of a building during its lifetime – MINERGIE-ECO
  • Micro-biological purification of air and vhttps://www.epfl.ch/labs/leso/fr/page-39248-fr-html/entilation systems using plant extracts
  • Predicting the natural ventilation potential in cities – URBVENT
  • Airless – Design, operation and maintenance criteria for air handling systems and components for better indoor air quality and lower energy consumption
  • Hope – Health optimisation protocol for energy efficient buildings
  • Atemac – Simple and cheap tracer gas methods for measuring air- and contaminant flow rates
  • DAHU – Diagnosis of Airhandling Units
  • Planning tools

Resources:

  • Mage – Measuring apparaturs using guarded environment to determine air permeability characteristics of buildings and building components
  • Cesar – Complete equipment for survey of air renewal
  • Thermocamera – Thermal infrared imaging system will full video compatibility
  • Physical scale models – A two-dimensional water scale model to studay air flow patterns in buildings and a smoke scale model to demonstrate the stack effect and neutral pressure level in buildings
  • Modular climate chamber for IEQ experiments on 1:1 scale
  • Microbiological laboratory

Planning tools:

  • COMIS – Multizone air flow simulation computer program
  • LESOCOOL – User-friendly planning tool for natural ventilation and passive cooling of building
  • LESOKAI – Planning tool calculating hygro-thermal properties of plane building elements
  • RadiaConf – Software drawing the thermal comfort map of a room and dimensioning the heating and cooling devices
  • TGD – Tracer gas display – Interpreting computer tool for sample tracer gas measurements (see Atemac

PhD theses published in this domain:

  • Qualitative modelling of the natural ventilation potential in urban context, Mario Germano, 2006
  • Assainissement microbiologique de l’air et des systèmes de ventilation au moyen d’huiles essentielles, Marie-Cécile Pibiri, 2005
  • Constructivisme piagétien dans l’aide à la décision: contribution au développement durable en architecture, Flourentzou, Flourentzos, 2001
  • Sensibilité de modèles et de mesures en aéraulique du bâtiment à l’aide de plans d’expériences, Furbringer, Jean-Marie,1994

Recent Publications

Books and chapters in books, since 2001

  • Roulet, C.-A., 2004, Santé et qualité de l’environnement intérieur dans les bâtiments: Lausanne, PPUR, 368 p.
  • Germano, M., C. Ghiaus, and C.-A. Roulet, 2005, Natural ventilation potential, in C. Ghiaus, and F. Allard, eds., Natural ventilation in urban context, London, James and James.
  • Ghiaus, C., and C.-A. Roulet, 2005, Strategies for natural ventilation, in C. Ghiaus, and F. Allard, eds., Natural ventilation in urban context, London, James and James.
  • Roulet, C.-A., 2005, The role of ventilation, in C. Ghiaus, and F. Allard, eds., Natural ventilation in urban context London, James and James.
  • Roulet, C.-A., 2001, Ventilation, in S. Burton, and M. Sala, eds., Energy Efficient Office Refurbishment: London, James  James, p. 21-25.

Scientific papers in refereed journals since 2001

  • Bluyssen, P. M., C. Cox, O. Seppänen, E. d. O. Fernandes, G. Clausen, B. Müller, and C.-A. Roulet, 2003, Why, when and how do HVAC-systems pollute the indoor environment and what to do about it? The European AIRLESS project.: Building and Environment, v. 38, p. 209-225.
  • Flourentzou, F., J. L. Genre, and C.-A. Roulet, 2002, TOBUS software – an interactive decision aid tool for building retrofit studies: Energy and Buildings, v. 34, p. 193-202.
  • Flourentzou, F., and C.-A. Roulet, 2002, Elaboration of retrofit scenarios: Energy and Buildings, v. 34, p. 185-192.
  • Germano, M., C. Ghiaus, C.-A. Roulet, and F. Allard, 2005, Natural Ventilation Potential of Urban Buildings: Int. J. of Ventilation, v. 4, p. 49-56.
  • Ghiaus, C., F. Allard, M. Santamouris, C. Georgakis, C.-A. Roulet, M. Germano, F. Tillenkamp, N.Heijmans, F. Nicol, E. Maldonado, M. Almeida, G. Guaracino, and L. Roche, 2005a, Natural Ventilation in Urban Areas – Results of the European Project URBVENT – Part 1: Urban Environment: Building and Environment.
  • Ghiaus, C., F. Allard, M. Santamouris, C. Georgakis, C.-A. Roulet, M. Germano, F. Tillenkamp, N.Heijmans, F. Nicol, E. Maldonado, M. Almeida, G. Guaracino, and L. Roche, 2005b, Natural Ventilation in Urban Areas – Results of the European Project URBVENT – Part 2: Natural ventilation potential: Submitted to Building and Environment.
    Jaboyedoff, P., C.-A. Roulet, V. Dorer, A. Weber, and A. Pfeiffer, 2004, Energy in air-handling units–results of the AIRLESS European Project: Energy and Buildings, v. 36, p. 391-399.
  • Pibiri, M.-C., Goel, A., Vahekeni, N., Roulet C.-A, Indoor Air purification and ventilation systems sanitation with essential oils, International Journal of Aromatherapy, vol. 16, num.3-4, 2006, p. 149-153
  • Roulet, C.-A., 2001a, Indoor Environment Quality and Energy Use in Buildings: Energy and Buildings, v. 33, p. 183-191.
  • Roulet, C.-A., 2001b, Solar Energy and Global Heat Balance of a City: Solar Energy, v. 70, p. 255-261.
  • Roulet, C.-A., 2002, PrEN ISO 13790 – A Simplified Method to Assess the Annual Heating Energy Use in Buildings: ASHRAE trans., v. 108 pt 2, p. 911-918.
  • Roulet, C.-A., 2004, Le confort intégré: Bulletin de l’Association Suisse de Microtechnique, p. 25-31.
  • Roulet, C.-A., F. Flourentzou, H. H. Labben, M. Santamouris, I. Koronaki, E. Daskalaki, and V. Richalet, 2002a, ORME: A Multicriteria Rating Methodology for Buildings: Building andEnvironment, v. 37, p. 579-586.
  • Roulet, C.-A., and F. Foradini, 2002, Simple and Cheap Air Change Rate Measurement Using CO2 Concentration Decays: Int. J. of Ventilation, v. 1, p. 39.
  • Roulet, C.-A., F. D. Heidt, F. Foradini, and M.-C. Pibiri, 2001, Real heat recovery with air handling units: Energy and Buildings, v. 33, p. 495-502.
  • Roulet, C.-A., M.-C. Pibiri, R. Knutti, A. Pfeiffer, and A. Weber, 2002b, Effect of Chemical Composition on VOC Transfer Through Rotating Heat Exchangers: Energy and Buildings, v. 34, p. 799-807.
  • Roulet, C.-A., S. C. Sekhar, K. W. Tham, and K. W. Cheong, 2002c, Ventilation, indoor environment quality and climate – Comparison of European and Singapore office buildings: International journal of Ambient Energy, v. 23, p. 108-112.
  • Roulet C.-A., Johner, N., Foradini, F., Bluyssen, Ph., Perceived health and comfort in relation to energy use and building characteristics, Building Research & Information, vo. 34, num. 5, 2006, p. 467-474
  • Roulet C.-A., Zuraimi, M.S., Than, K.W., Sekhar, S.C. et al., A comparative study of VOCs in Singapore and European office buildings, Building and Environment, num. 41, 2006, p. 316-329
  • Roulet, C.-A., Diagnosing Sick Building Syndrome, ASHRAE IAQ Application, 2007, p.14-15
  • Zuraimi, M. S., C. A. Roulet, K. W. Tham, S. C. Sekhar, K. W. David Cheong, N. H. Wong, and K. H. Lee, 2006, A comparative study of VOCs in Singapore and European office buildings: Building and Environment, v. 41, p. 316-329.

Contribution to international conferences

  • Aizlewood, C. E., C. Cox, C. A. Roulet, L. A. Nicol, and C. Peruzzo, 2005, Assessment of Health Risks in Buildings Using Health Hazard Algorithms (Hope Project): Indoor Air.
  • Bluyssen, P. M., C. Cox, N. Boschi, M. Maroni, G. Raw, C.-A. Roulet, and F. Foradini, 2003, European Project HOPE (Health Optimisation Protocol For Energy-Efficient Buildings): Healthy Buildings, p. 76-81.
  • Courret, G., J.-P. Eggimann, C.-A. Roulet, O. Sari, and J. Thome, 2001, Plafonds froids rayonnants : simulations et mesures: CISBAT 01, p. 145-150.
  • Eggimann, J.-P., J. Thome, and C.-A. Roulet, 2001, Heat Transfer to Radiant Cooling Panels: CISBAT.
  • Flourentzos, F., J.-L. Genre, and C.-A. Roulet, 2001, EPIQR-TOBUS: A New Generation of Refurbishment Decision Aid Methods: CISBAT 2001, p. 155-157.
  • Flourentzou, F., G. Greuter, and C. A. Roulet, 2003, Hermione, une nouvelle méthode d’agrégation qualitative basée sur des règles.: 58èmes journées du groupe de Travail Européen Aide Multicritère à la Décision.
  • Flourentzou, F., and C.-A. Roulet, 2002, Multicriteria analysis of IEQ in sustainable buildings – Outline of a methodology: EPIC 2002 AIVC.
  • Foradini, F., C.-A. Roulet, and A. Oostra, 2005, HODA 2.0: a benchmark for rating buildings with regard to health, comfort and energy use, CLIMA 2005.
  • Johner, N., C.-A. Roulet, F. Foradini, and B. Oostra, 2005a, Sick Building Syndrome and building characteristics: Clima 2005, p. paper 332.
  • Johner, N., C.-A. Roulet, A. Oostra, L. A. Nicol, and F. Foradini, 2005b, Correlations between SBS, perceived comfort, energy use and other building characteristics in European office and residential buildings. : Indoor Air, p. Paper 1.6 43.
  • Maas, J. V. d., C.-A. Roulet, and F. Flourentzou, 2001, Measurement of Airtightness with the Stack Pressurisation Method – Application to Two Buildings.: CISBAT 2001, p. 187-192.
  • Maroni, M., P.Carrer, M. d. Torre, C. Aizlewood, E. O. Fernandes, C. A. Roulet, and C.Cox, 2005, Performance criteria for healthy and energy efficient buildings: definition, assessment and building classification: Indoor Air.
  • Pibiri, M.-C., and C.-A. Roulet, 2003a, Methods to study effects of essential oils on microbes present in ventilation systems.: CISBAT, p. 185-190.
  • Pibiri, M.-C., and C.-A. Roulet, 2003b, Study of the effect of essential oils on staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa.: Healthy Buildings 2003, p. 715-720.
  • Pibiri, M.-C., C. Seigniez, and C.-A. Roulet, 2001, Assainissement microbiologique de l’air et des systèmes de ventilation au moyen d’huiles essentielles et leurs effets sur le bien-être des occupants: CISBAT 2001, p. 211-2016.
  • Roulet, C.-A., C. Cox, and F. Foradini, 2005a, Creating healthy and energy-efficient buildings: lessons learned from the HOPE project  Indoor Air, p. Paper 1.6 44.
  • Roulet, C.-A., F. Flourentzou, and G. Greuter, 2003a, Multicriteria Analysis Methodology of Health, IEQ and Energy Use for Sustainable Buildings: Healthy Buildings 2003.
  • Roulet, C.-A., F. Flourentzou, and G. Greuter, 2003b, Multicriteria Analysis Methodology of IEQ and Energy Use for Sustainable Buildings: CISBAT 2003, p. 575-580.
  • Roulet, C.-A., and F. Foradini, 2001a, Simple and Cheap Air Change Rate Measurement Using CO2 Concentration Decays: CISBAT 2001.
  • Roulet, C.-A., and F. Foradini, 2001b, Soft Air Conditioning In Storage Rooms: CLIMA 2000, p. 33-45.
  • Roulet, C.-A., F. Foradini, and E. Westphal, 2005b, RadiaConf: A design tool for locating and sizing radiant panels to improve comfort.: CISBAT 2005.
  • Roulet, C.-A., M. Germano, F. Allard, and C. Ghiaus, 2002, Potential for Natural Ventilation in Urban Context: An Assessment Method: Indoor Air, p. 830-836.
  • Roulet, C.-A., F.-D. Heidt, M.-C. Pibiri, and F. Foradini, 2001a, Rendement réel de la récupération de chaleur dans les installations de ventilation des bâtiments: CIFQ 2001 – Vème Colloque Interuniversitaire Franco-Québecois – Thermique des Systèmes, p. 423-430.
  • Roulet, C.-A., P. Jaboyedoff, V. Dorer, A. Weber, A. Pfeiffer, and B. P. M., 2001b, Pollution and Energy in Air Handling Units – Some Results of the AIRLESS European Project: CISBAT, p. 127-132.
  • Roulet, C.-A., N. Johner, F. Flourentzou, and F. Foradini, 2005c, Multi-criteria analysis of health, comfort and energy-efficiency of buildings Indoor Air, p. Paper 1.7 41.
  • Roulet, C.-A., B. Oostra, F. Foradini, and C. Cox, 2005d, Designing healthy, comfortable and energy-efficient buildings: lessons from enquiries within the european HOPE project.: CISBAT 2005.
  • Roulet, C.-A., M.-C. Pibiri, and F. Foradini, 2001c, Diagnostic des installations de ventilation – Méthodes et quelques résultats: CIFQ 2001 – Vème Colloque Interuniversitaire Franco-Québecois – Thermique des Systèmes, p. 5-13.
  • Roulet, C.-A., M.-C. Pibiri, R. Knutti, A. Pfeiffer, and A. Weber, 2001d, Effect of Chemical Composition on Voc Transfer Through Rotating Heat Exchangers: CLIMA 2000, p. 73-87.
  • Roulet, C.-A., S. C. Sekhar, T. K. W, and K. W. Cheong, 2001e, Ventilation, Indoor Environment Quality and Climate – Comparison of European and Singapore Office Buildings.: CISBAT 2001, p. 139-144.
  • Roulet, C.-A., and M. S. Zuraimi, 2003, Applying Tracer Gas Technique for Measurements in Air Handling Units with Large Recirculation Ratio: Healthy Buildings 2003, p. 536-541.
  • Roulet, C.-A., M. S. Zuraimi, and S. C. Sekhar, 2003c, Tracer Gas Measurement of Airflow Rates in Rooms With Several Air-Handling Units: Healthy Buildings 2003, p. 398-403.
    Zuraimi, M. S., C.-A. Roulet, S. C. Sekhar, K. W. Tham, K. W.Cheong, N. H. Wong, and H. K. Lee, 2003, Concentrations and Emission Rates of Indoor VOCs – a comparative study between Singapore and European Office Buildings.: Healthy Buildings 2003, p. 385-390.

See also The International Journal of Ventilation open access edition.