occupant comfort

8/7/2019 Occupant Comfort

1/13

EQ Credit 2.1: Occupant Comfort: Occupant Survey (1 point)

Dr. Michael Berrys study at the University of North Carolina proves the effectiveness of

our cleaning systems ability to improve the health of the occupants within the indoor

environment. Physical health is not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, but isthe combination of physical, mental and social well-being. Clean buildings improve the

occupants ability to work, study, and live in the indoor environment.

If the definition of clean is, The absence of unwanted matter from an environment, thenthe definition of cleaning must be, the process of removing unwanted matter from oneenvironment and putting it in its proper place. This is true waste management. If the

things that make us sick are the things that we cannot see (pathogenic microorganisms,dust, dust mites, dust mite feces, fungal spores, mold spores, chemical reside, etc.), you

must have a sustainable process to enable true Green Cleaning to occur. This is what

is meant by Indoor Environmental Management. We can confidently say that a point canbe earned for occupant comfort through an effective cleaning program.

Occupant Comfort Survey Intent

To earn the LEED certification point for occupant comfort, an occupant survey must begiven to tenants. The intent is to provide an assessment of the buildings occupantscomfort as it relates to thermal comfort, acoustics, indoor air quality, lighting levels,

building cleanliness and other comfort issues.

This requirement can be satisfied by distributing a Tenant Comfort Survey (provided see attached) to all building tenants and providing a complaint response system to

collect anonymous responses about the above mentioned creature comforts. The

sample must represent at least 30% of the total occupants, and must include an overallsatisfaction assessment of building performance and identify any comfort-related

problems. The survey must be documented showing the survey results, correctiveactions to address comfort issues and be conducted at least once per performance

period.

Occupant Comfort Survey for 525B Street

GMI has developed a survey for assessing tenant comfort and upon the direction of

management, a plan of corrective action can be developed and implemented to improve

occupant comfort.

Occupant comfort surveys are an invaluable source of information for improving theperformance of buildings. Surveys allow you to objectively gauge which building services

and design features are working and which aren't, and to prioritize the steps needed toimprove occupant satisfaction and workplace productivity.

Please see attached Occupant Comfort Survey(Source Credit - http://www.cbe.berkeley.edu)


2/13

Occupant Comfort Survey

Background

How many years have you worked in this building?

Less than 1 year

1-2 years

3-5 years

More than 5 years

How long have you been working at your present workspace?

Less than 3 months

4-6 months

7-12 months

More than 1 year

In a typical week, how many hours do you spend in your workspace?

10 or less

11-30

More than 30

How would you describe the work you do?

Administrative support

Technical

Professional

Managerial/supervisory

Other

What is your age?


3/13

30 or under

31-50

Over 50

What is your gender?

Female

Male

Personal Workspace Location

On which floor is your workspace located?choose one

In which area of the building is your workspace located?choose one

To which direction do the windows closest to your workspace face?choose one

Are you near an exterior wall (within 15 feet)?

Yes

No

Are you near a window (within 15 feet)?

Yes

No

Personal Workspace Description


4/13

Enclosed office, private

Enclosed office, shared with other people

Cubicles with high partitions (about five or more feet high)

Cubicles with low partitions (lower than five feet high)

Workspace in open office with no partitions (just desks)

Other:

Office Layout

How satisfied are you with the amount of space available for individual

work and storage?

Very Satisfied Very Dissatisfied

How satisfied are you with the level of visual privacy?


How satisfied are you with ease of interaction with co-workers?


Overall, does the office layout enhance or interfere with your ability to

get your job done?

Enhances Interferes

Please describe any other issues related to the office layout that are

important to you.


5/13

Office Furnishings

How satisfied are you with the comfort of your office furnishings (chair,desk, computer, equipment, etc.)?


How satisfied are you with your ability to adjust your furniture to meet

your needs?


How satisfied are you with the colors and textures of flooring, furniture

and surface finishes?Very Satisfied Very Dissatisfied

Do your office furnishings enhance or interfere with your ability to getyour job done?

Enhances Interferes

Please describe any other issues related to office furnishings that are

important to you.


6/13

Thermal Comfort

Which of the following do you personally adjust or control in your

workspace? (check all that apply)

Window blinds or shades

Operable window

Thermostat

Portable heater

Permanent heater

Room air-conditioning unit

Portable fan

Ceiling fan

Adjustable air vent in wall or ceiling

Adjustable floor air vent (diffuser)

Door to interior space

Door to exterior space

None of the above

Other:

How satisfied are you with the temperature in your workspace?


Overall, does your thermal comfort in your workspace enhance or

interfere with your ability to get your job done?

Enhances Interferes


7/13

Air Quality

How satisfied are you with the air quality in your workspace (i.e.stuffy/stale air, cleanliness, odors)?


Overall, does the air quality in your workspace enhance or interfere with

your ability to get your job done?

Enhances Interferes

Lighting

Which of the following controls do you have over the lighting in your

workspace? (check all that apply)

Light switch

Light dimmer

Window blinds or shades

Desk (task) light

None of the above

Other:

How satisfied are you with the amount of light in your workspace?


How satisfied are you with the visual comfort of the lighting (e.g., glare,

reflections, contrast)?



8/13

Overall, does the lighting quality enhance or interfere with your abilityto get your job done?

Enhances Interferes

Acoustic Quality

How satisfied are you with the noise level in your workspace?


How satisfied are you with the sound privacy in your workspace (ability

to have conversations without your neighbors overhearing and vice

versa)?


Overall, does the acoustic quality in your workspace enhance or

interfere with your ability to get your job done?

Enhances Interferes

Cleanliness and Maintenance

How satisfied are you with general cleanliness of the overall building?


How satisfied are you with cleaning service provided for your

workspace?


9/13


How satisfied are you with general maintenance of the building?


Does the cleanliness and maintenance of this building enhance orinterfere with your ability to get your job done?

Enhances Interferes

Building Features

Considering energy use, how efficiently is this building performing in

your opinion?

Very energy

efficient

Not at all energy

efficient

Comments:

Please note that the list provided here is for demo purposes only, a

maximum of four building features will be included on this page as partof a standard survey.

For each of the building features listed below, please indicate howsatisfied you are with the effectiveness of that feature:

Floor air vents


I have no experience with it


10/13

Comments:

Thermostats



Comments:

Light switches



Comments:

Automatic daylight controls



Comments:

Occupancy sensors for lighting



Comments:

Window blinds



Comments:


11/13

Roller shades



Comments:

Exterior shades



Comments:

Low flow faucets



Comments:

Private meeting rooms



Comments:

Security system



Comments:

How well informed do you feel about using the above mentioned

features in this building?

Very well informed Not well informed


12/13

Please describe any other issues related to the design and operation ofthe above mentioned features that are important to you.

General Comments

All things considered, how satisfied are you with your personal

workspace?


Please estimate how your job performance is increased or decreased by

the environmental conditions in this building (e.g. thermal, lighting,acoustics, cleanliness):

Increased20% 10% 5% 0% -5% -10% -20%

Decreased

How satisfied are you with the building overall?


Any additional comments or recommendations about your personalworkspace or building overall?


13/13

Thank you for participating in this Survey!

occupant comfort

Documents