Comparative Analysis of Indoor CO₂ Concentration in Office Spaces at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology With and Without Indoor Green Plants

Abstract

The importance of Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) is being increasingly considered in sustainable office designs because high levels of indoor Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) concentration may have an adverse effect on the health, comfort, and productivity of the occupants of such offices. Indoor green plants are emerging as one of the most useful ways of improving the indoor environment, including the improvement of air quality, thereby creating healthy workplaces. Few studies exist that assess the effect of indoor green plants on the indoor CO₂ concentration of university office premises in Bangladesh. The purpose of this research is to conduct a comparative analysis of indoor CO₂ concentration of selected offices at Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST), with and without indoor green plants. This research is carried out among three types of office spaces at Ahsanullah University of Science & Technology; that are namely, an office room (1), office room (2), and office pantry. All three office spaces are different in the sense that they differ regarding their occupancy level and also whether they have indoor green plants or not. The research methodology used in this study is quantitative research methodology. The primary data collection has been done by directly measuring the CO₂ level inside the office spaces with the help of an Air Quality Detector. The results have revealed that there are significant differences in the levels of indoor CO₂ concentration in the selected office rooms. The office rooms having green indoor plants have been found to have lower levels of CO₂ concentration than the offices not having green plants. The results have further revealed that the indoor CO₂ concentration is influenced by occupancy density and indoor green plants. Some of the office spaces have been found to maintain CO₂ concentrations within the recommended standard range, while others have higher CO₂ concentration values. This research highlights the importance of incorporating green indoor plants in order to ensure sustainable Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in office spaces in universities. It offers useful information to architects, interior designers, facility managers, and the university administration about the incorporation of healthy and sustainable office spaces. This research will contribute towards the development of literature on sustainable office design and IEQ in Bangladesh.