Air Quality in Sport Facilities

Abstract

In new buildings, there are increasingly stringent requirements for ventilation, both in terms of energy consumption and air quality. Major sports facilities such as football halls, multifunctional halls and ice halls have fallen under the radar with lack of requirements concerning air quality, although materials and processes often emit more than in normal commercial buildings and houses. The aim of this project was to characterize the air quality in sport facilities. To identify the challenges concerning sport facilities, it was decided to look at ice halls. Ice halls have special demands concerning heating and cooling and therefore, dimensioning of such ventilation systems can be challenging in terms of moisture and temperature requirements. Firstly, a literature study was conducted on relevant literature concerning air quality in ice halls. The majority of previous research on indoor air quality contained research about poor air quality in ice halls because of the combustion engine in the resurfacers. The work by several previous researches confirmed that many ice halls do not have enough fresh air supply. Also, a literature study was conducted concerning bad air quality affections on productivity, health and cognitive functions. In addition to the literature study, field measurements were conducted at Dalgård ice hall to study the air quality in practice. Dalgård ice hall has no active fresh air supply or ventilation system for the ice rink. The air quality on the ice rink was measured to characterize the air quality in the breathing zone of the players. Typical air quality parameters such as particulate matter, temperature, relative humidity and CO₂ concentration were measured. The PM10 values were by the ice rink stable at 80 μg/m³, and the CO₂ concentration increased from 870ppm to almost 1400ppm in just under three hours with stabile high activity. Both values were above the recommended values from The World Health Organization (WHO) and Norwegian Institute of Public Health, on 50 μg/m³ and 1000ppm respectively. The conclusion was that there could be more stringent air quality requirements in such sport facilities. Young people spend a lot of time in these halls with a high pulmonary ventilation. For workers and visitors exposed to the air in the ice rink on a regular basis it is important to ensure proper air quality.