A CASE STUDY OF CONTROLLING HUMIDITY IN MALAYSIAN OFFICE BUILDINGS

Abstract

Microbial growth in buildings is a significant problem in tropical climates, where consistently high humidity levels create ideal conditions for its development. Some office buildings in tropical climates suffered with humidity problems for so many years. Microbial can cause significant health problems, damage to building structures, and discomfort for inhabitants. This case study explores the effectiveness of using air flow controlling method and installing heating coils as a method to control indoor humidity and prevent microbial growth in buildings. The study was conducted in administrative office building, where persistent humidity leads to frequent microbial infestations. The first method, total actual air flow was analysed using cooling load software to set the exact accurate air flow in the building. While the second method, heating coils were installed in the building to regulate temperature and humidity levels. The system was monitored over a period of a month of July 2024 and data was collected through humidity sensors, temperature readings, and visual inspections for microbial growth. The results indicated that both methods effectively reduced indoor humidity levels by increasing air temperature and reducing air flow rate, thereby reducing moisture levels and preventing the conditions conducive to microbial growth. Additionally, the system proved to be energy-efficient when combined with adequate ventilation. The study concludes that controlling humidity is a viable and cost-effective solution to combat microbial growth in tropical climates, although factors like energy consumption and maintenance need careful consideration. Further research is recommended to explore the optimal integration of heating coils with other building systems.