Indoor Quality & Ergonomics Lab

The Lab collects, elaborates and disseminates environmental culture, with regard to issues of well-being, hygiene, health, safety and sustainability in the building sector. On these issues, the unit is engaged in assessing and certifying the environmental quality of building materials and products and in assessing and managing the quality of living and working environments, with reference both to specific aspects (microclimate, indoor air quality, etc.) and to aspects of interaction between user and environment (usability, enjoyment, etc.), according to an ergonomic vision of environmental quality. The unit is also engaged in the research and development of multi-criteria systems for the environmental assessment of the built environment.

Works

The following is a selection of major projects developed in recent years, where advanced research converges with practical application, generating outcomes that support civil society, public institutions, and the business sector.

Services

Below are the services offered by the Indoor Quality & Ergonomics Lab Unit to students, teachers, researchers and businesses.

Green Building Rating Systems

Research, consultancy and technical support relating to multi-criteria building evaluation/certification systems. Definition/adaptation of specific criteria within the green building rating systems for local settings. Development of dedicated systems on the basis of specific building needs and/or types.

Ergonomics and human factors

Ergonomic evaluation and definition of user-centred criteria to support the design and redevelopment of living and working environments, accessibility and inclusive design.

Indoor air quality and ambient comfort

Instrumental measurement, evaluation and optimisation of the indoor air quality in respect of chemical, physical and biological pollutants and ambient comfort with regard to thermal and hygrometric, acoustic and lighting parameters.

Evaluation/certification of the environmental compatibility of building products

Evaluation and certification of the environmental compatibility of building products and materials in respect of resource consumption, emissions, indoor air quality and waste cycling criteria.

Tools

Lettore radioattività

Foto/radiometro

Analizzatore gas e composti organici

Indoor Quality & Ergonomics Lab

Design indications for the protection of buildings in radon risk sites

Ergonomic study on the user interface of innovative controls for elevators with destination control system

Ergonomic studies of passenger compartments of public transport vehicles

Criteria for the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability classification of residential buildings

Compliance of construction product with environmental compatibility criteria (CCA – Criteri di Compatibilità Ambientale)