DSpace Collection:https://hdl.handle.net/10316/922632024-03-28T23:40:59Z2024-03-28T23:40:59ZEvaluation of Noise Level in Intensive Care Units of Hospitals and Noise Mitigation Strategies, Case Study: Democratic Republic of CongoNyembwe, Jean-Paul Kapuya BulabaOgundiran, John OmomoluwaSilva, Manuel Gameiro daSimões, Nuno Albino Vieirahttps://hdl.handle.net/10316/1138962024-03-08T16:48:41Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Evaluation of Noise Level in Intensive Care Units of Hospitals and Noise Mitigation Strategies, Case Study: Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Nyembwe, Jean-Paul Kapuya Bulaba; Ogundiran, John Omomoluwa; Silva, Manuel Gameiro da; Simões, Nuno Albino Vieira
Abstract: High noise levels in hospitals can affect patients’ well-being, staff productivity, and medical
error rates. This study measured noise in two intensive care units (ICUs) in the Democratic Republic
of Congo (DRC). An occupant’s survey and a continuous field sampling were conducted in May and
June 2021 in each ICU, using a T Tocas SL 1361 digital sound level meter and an online questionnaire.
In GH-ICU, variations in the noise levels for the day, evening, and night-time were recorded as
measuring 60.5–94.6 dBA, 61.9–90.0 dBA and 33.3–80.2 dBA respectively, while respective values
of 58.8–75.5 dBA, 57–75 dBA, and 33.9–74.8 dBA were recorded for CH-ICU. The weekly noise
equivalent level (Leq) of 82.8 dBA and Lden of 83.8 dBA for GH-ICU was computed, and 68.6 dBA
and Lden 72.1 dBA for CH-ICU. This study found that the noise levels in both ICUs exceeded the
recommended limits of the World Health Organization (WHO) for hospitals, while three-quarters of
occupants expressed dissatisfaction with the acoustic environment. The results suggest the need for
immediate intervention, including implementing suitable noise mitigation measures since hospital
workers and patients are prone to long-term exposure to high noise, which can decrease working
performance and health problems.2023-01-01T00:00:00ZUsing B15 in vehicles on real on-road circumstances - A case studySerrano, Luís V.Santana, BárbaraCarvalho, Paulo Matos deCorreia, Cristinahttps://hdl.handle.net/10316/1137312024-02-28T16:07:08Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Using B15 in vehicles on real on-road circumstances - A case study
Authors: Serrano, Luís V.; Santana, Bárbara; Carvalho, Paulo Matos de; Correia, Cristina2023-01-01T00:00:00ZReview of the Experimental Methods for Evaluation of Windows’ Thermal Transmittance: From Standardized Tests to New PossibilitiesSimões, NunoMoghaddam, Saman AbolghasemiSilva, Manuel Gameiro dahttps://hdl.handle.net/10316/1136702024-02-26T10:42:40Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: Review of the Experimental Methods for Evaluation of Windows’ Thermal Transmittance: From Standardized Tests to New Possibilities
Authors: Simões, Nuno; Moghaddam, Saman Abolghasemi; Silva, Manuel Gameiro da
Abstract: One of the most important parameters that indicate the energy performance of a window
system is the thermal transmittance (U-value). Many research studies that deal with numerical
methods of determining a window’s U-value have been carried out. However, the possible assumptions
and simplifications associated with numerical methods and simulation tools could increase
the risk of under- or over-estimation of the U-value. For this reason, several experimental methods
for investigating the U-value of windows have been developed to be used either alone or as a supplementary
method for validation purposes. This review aims to analyze the main experimental
methods for assessing the U-value of windows that have been published by national and international
standards or as scientific papers. The analysis criteria include the type of the test in terms of boundary
conditions (laboratory or in situ), the part of the window that was tested (only the center of glazing
or the entire window), and the data analysis method (steady-state or dynamic). The experimental
methods include the heat flow meter (HFM) method, guarded hot plate (GHP) method, hot box (HB)
method, infrared thermography (IRT) method, and the so-called rapid U-value metering method.
This review has been set out to give insights into the procedure, the necessary equipment units, the
required length of time, the accuracy, the advantages and disadvantages, new possibilities, and the
gaps associated with each method. In the end, it describes a set of challenges that are designed to
provide more comprehensive, realistic, and reliable tests.2023-01-01T00:00:00ZThe Indoor Climate of Hospitals in Tropical Countries: A Systematic ReviewNyembwe, Jean-Paul Kapuya BulabaOgundiran, John OmomoluwaChenari, BehrangSimões, Nuno Albino VieiraSilva, Manuel Gameiro dahttps://hdl.handle.net/10316/1134782024-02-21T10:32:34Z2023-01-01T00:00:00ZTitle: The Indoor Climate of Hospitals in Tropical Countries: A Systematic Review
Authors: Nyembwe, Jean-Paul Kapuya Bulaba; Ogundiran, John Omomoluwa; Chenari, Behrang; Simões, Nuno Albino Vieira; Silva, Manuel Gameiro da
Abstract: An indoor climate impacts human comfort, well-being, and safety. Therefore, it remains an
important topic since, nowadays, people spend a significant amount of time indoors. Additionally,
as tropical geographical zones become more populated, urbanised, and industrialised, the energy
demand for air conditioning will rise significantly. In terms of the indoor climate, hospitals are
particularly demanding due to the special needs of their occupants, however there is a paucity of
studies about the tropics. Through a systematic analysis of accessible data and peer-reviewed articles,
this study performed a quantitative and qualitative review of the scientific studies selected by the
defined inclusion and exclusion parameters. A total of 65 tropics-related scientific publications,
28 on indoor thermal comfort and 37 on indoor air quality published between 2000 and 2023,
were systematically reviewed. This study’s findings corroborated those from the previous studies,
alluding that there is a paucity of scientific studies on the indoor climate conditions of buildings
in tropical countries. A total of 42 studies (65%) were conducted in Asia and 15 studies (23%) in
Africa. Six studies (9%) were reported in South America and two studies (3%) were obtained from
Oceania, Australia. The results indicated that tropical Africa recorded the lowest number of indoor
climate studies considering the population indices. Many of the reviewed indoor climate studies
employed mixed methods, whereas only very few considered a seasonal approach. Meanwhile, in the
developing tropics, only one record was found regarding an indoor climate study of hospitals based
on their locations (correlating the outdoor and indoor air quality). Additionally, no record was found
regarding the IC studies of hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa, in which, the IC impact on the occupant’s
performance, productivity, and behaviour was assessed. Inferably, gaps still exist in the indoor
climate of tropical hospitals. The current study highlights the need to improve the indoor climate
considerations in the design, siting, awareness, regulations, and policy implementations concerning
the hospitals in developing tropical countries. In conclusion, the study emphasises the need for more
scientific studies on the indoor climate of tropical hospitals and highlights the relevant areas of the
indoor climate studies in future works for considering the climate, environmental, socio-economic,
infrastructural, and demographic peculiarities of the tropics for the betterment of hospital indoor
climates in developing tropical countries.2023-01-01T00:00:00Z