Indoor Air Quality
1. Ventilation System
The building's ventilation systems are designed to address various aspects of indoor air quality, temperature control and fire safety. Here are some points about the ventilation systems in Taipel 101:
Indoor Air Quality: Taipei 101 employs cutting-edge ventilation technologies to enhance indoor air quality, focusing on elevating the air exchange rate. This approach effectively removes indoor pollutants by frequently cycling indoor air with fresh outdoor air, thereby ensuring a healthy and comfortable atmosphere for occupants. This strategy prioritizes the proactive removal of contaminants over merely diluting them, aligning with best practices in environmental health and indoor air quality management.
Wind Simulation
Source: dlubal.com
According to the Taiwan Indoor Air Quality standard, the relevant air pollutants concentration threshold limit values are presented below, where Taipei 101 must comply with the standard.
Air Conditioning and Temperature Control: The building features a highly efficient air conditioning system that not only cools the interior but also manages humidity levels. This is crucial in a tropical climate like Taiwan, where high humidity is common. The system helps maintain a comfortable and consistent temperature throughout the building.
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Pressurized Stairwells: Taipei 101 has pressurized stairwells, which are vital safety features in a tall building. These systems are designed to maintain higher air pressure within the stairwells during a fire or emergency. This prevents smoke from entering the stairwells and provides a safe escape route for occupants.
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Outdoor Air Exchange: The Taipei 101 HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems are designed to efficiently exchange outdoor air with indoor air to minimize energy consumption while ensuring a fresh and healthy indoor environment.
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Energy Efficiency: The building incorporates energy-efficient HVAC systems to minimize its environmental impact. This includes advanced controls, variable speed fans, and other technologies to optimize energy use for ventilation and cooling.
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Taipei 101's ventilation and HVAC systems are designed not only for comfort but also to prioritize safety, energy efficiency, and sustainability. The building's commitment to environmental and safety standards has made it a model for sustainable skyscraper design.
Source: Siemens.com
2. CO2
Taipei 101 has finally passed all the rigorous assessment processes and has been awarded Platinum certification. The key factor that differentiates between Gold and Platinum certification is air quality. Taipei 101 has 11 mechanical floors with air handling units to provide air conditioning for different areas. CO2 sensors are installed in each unit. When a high CO2 level is detected, the AHU will automatically draw in fresh outdoor air to reduce the level. The design specification for CO2 concentration in the Taipei 101 building is 600 ppm, which is lower than the national standard of 1000 ppm. As a result, tenants of the Taipei 101 building are able to enjoy fresher air and lower CO2 levels.
U.S. Green Building Council (2009)
In addition to controlling CO2, the building must also monitor humidity levels. Taiwan is located in the subtropics and has high humidity levels, which can easily cause discomfort. Two sensors are installed on each floor of the Taipei 101 building to monitor humidity levels 24 hours a day through a centralised monitoring system. The sensors activate the regulation of the amount of chilled water in the air-conditioning system to reduce humidity and improve comfort (Yu, 2022)