Multi-Criteria Evaluation of a Library’s Indoor Environmental Quality in the Tropics

The indoor environmental quality of a library greatly affects the comfort and productivity its users while preserving materials. Despite high energy consumption HVACs in libraries, achieving acceptable thermal conditions, acoustics, sufficient daylight levels for remains challenge. There are limited studies on IEQ educational buildings, especially regarding current situation libraries. It is important to conduct further define design guidelines promoting conditions. main objectives this study were investigate campus recommend retrofitting strategies. parameters rare collection room, which houses special collections, hall assessed using full-scale measurement, with eight HOBO data loggers sensors deployed various locations monitor IEQ. A comparison results standards revealed that room was unsuitable maintaining as average air temperature exceeded 21.2 °C, beyond threshold limit. Additionally, relative humidity ranged from 51.3% 55.8%, marginally high. To provide recommends strategies exterior walls, such cement plaster low conductivity. In hall, reading zone found be thermally uncomfortable. velocity below range 0.15 ms−1 0.50 recommended by MS 1525. CO2 level 479.5 ppm, some points registering an increase up 588 ppm. noise between 43 dB(A) 61 dB(A), light intensity 300 lux area, not within range. This suggests improvement solutions, implementing 24.5 26.5 °C higher increasing window-to-wall ratio utilize natural daylight. These findings insights into new libraries renovation existing ones, ensuring continue serve vibrant centers knowledge learning generations come.