Preface

First of all, I highly appreciate the initiative of IntechOpen to publish a book on indoor environmental quality (IEQ ). This domain has attracted a large number of audiences and researchers, as evidenced by the dramatically increasing number of research works in the literature. Even though many books are available in this field, the open access facility of this book is expected to attract a wider readership.

Chapter 1 of this book provides an overview of IEQ, wherein the various constituents of IEQ are briefly explained, followed by research trends and concluding remarks. Chapter 2 presents an exclusive review of indoor air quality (IAQ ), which is a major component of IEQ. Chapter 3 focuses on the monitoring of IAQ in healthy buildings. Chapter 4 deals with the guidelines to ensure the best illumination in indoor spaces. While Chapter 5 presents a practical study of IEQ in healthcare buildings. Chapter 6 deals with acoustic comfort in worship places. The authors of each chapter of this book are renowned experts in the field of IEQ. This book is expected to benefit undergraduate and postgraduate students, researchers, teachers, practitioners, policy makers, and every individual who has a concern for healthy life.

While presenting this book to an august audience, I gratefully acknowledge the contributions of the authors, the initiative of Ms. Anja Filipovic to launch the book, and the excellent administrative support of Ms. Dolores Kuzelj, all of whom collectively contributed to the successful release of this book.

> **Dr. Muhammad Abdul Mujeebu** Associate Professor, Department of Building Engineering, College of Architecture and Planning, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

**1**

**Figure 1.** *IEQ components.*

**Chapter 1**

**1. Overview**

plans.

Introductory Chapter: Indoor

The term "indoor environmental quality" (IEQ ) represents a domain that encompasses diverse sub-domains that affect the human life inside a building. These include indoor air quality (IAQ ), lighting, thermal comfort, acoustics, drinking water, ergonomics, electromagnetic radiation, and many related factors [1], as depicted in **Figure 1**. Enhanced environmental quality can improve the quality of life of the occupants, increase the resale value of the building, and minimize the

IEQ in offices and other workplaces has a crucial role on the return on investment of businesses. A workplace with high IEQ obviously improves the workers' health and mood, thereby increasing their productivity. Therefore, the additional cost of maintaining high IEQ levels in workplaces will be paid back in a reasonable period and generates additional monetary returns thereafter. It should be noted that buildings being rated as "sustainable and green" do not truly guaranty their compliance with the desired IEQ level [2–5]. Therefore, IEQ should be given specific focus while designing new buildings as well as in building retrofit

Environmental Quality

*Muhammad Abdul Mujeebu*

penalties on building owners.

### **Chapter 1**
