Healthy Buildings l

Lesson Structure: Healthy Buildings I - Building Construction & Health BSS200

There are 10 lessons:

Introduction To Building Biology
Scope and Nature of Building Biology
Building Diseases -Chemical, Electrical, Cage, Location
Environmental Law
Biological Damage to Buildings
Environmental Considerations
Clean Interiors
Building Materials
Introduction
Dangerous Building Materials
Chemical Effects on the Human Body
Timber
Formaldahyde Adhesives
Plastics
Masonary and Concrete
Insulation Materials
Soft Furnishings
Paints
Timber Treatments, stains, polishes, etc
Construction
Roofing Matrerials
Roof Gardens
Roof Construction
Floors
Reasons to Choose Different Floors or Floor Coverings
Pests in Buildings
Dust Mites
Fleas
Ants
Termites, Flies, Mosquitos, Wasps, Cockroaches, etc
Spiders
Rodents, Birds, Snakes, etc
Services
Electricity
Electrical Fields
Circuits
Measuring Electricity and Exposure limits
Terminology
Power Supply Systems
General Waste Disposal
Waste Water
Temperature
Introduction to Heating and Cooling
Principles of TemperatureControl
Heat Loss
Types of Heaters
Cooling Effects
Air Cleaners, Filtration, Circulation, Air Conditioning
Energy Conservation
Solar House Design
Active and Passive Solar Heating Systems
The Internal Environment: Ventilation
Scope and Nature
Natural Ventilation
Mechanical Ventilation
Air Conditioning
Humidity Management
Light
Internal Light in Buildings
Natural Light
Artificial Light
Electric Light
Acoustics
Internal Acoustic Control
Improving Internal acoustics
Noise Insulation
Ergonomic Considerations
Scope and Nature of Ergonomics
Form, Shape and Spatial Dimensions
Furniture Design
Interior Layout
Psychological Considerations
Scope and Nature
Physical and Psychological Affects of Colour
Stressful or Calming Environments
General Principles for Interior Design

Learning Goals: Healthy Buildings I - Building Construction & Health BSS200

Explain the concept of healthy buildings including its relevance to human health.
Select building materials which are safe to human health.
Evaluate the health impact of different building techniques, including construction and design.
Explain how the way in which services are installed, can impact upon the health of people using a building.
Explain how building design can impact upon the quality of the physical environment inside.
Explain ergonomic considerations in building design.
Explain psychological considerations in building design.

Practicals:

Explain the concept of building biology, in accordance with the international building biology institute.
Explain the history of building biology institutes, in Germany, America, and New Zealand; with relevance to Australia.
Explain the current status of bio-harmonic architectural practices in Australia.
Assess problems with different dangerous building materials including:
Asbestos
Plastics
Insulation materials
Treated pine.
Compare characteristics of different commonly used building materials, including:
Rate of deterioration
Thermal qualities
Chemical properties
Acoustic qualities
Dust collection/repellence
Light reflection.
Develop a checklist, for evaluating the health impact of different building materials.
Evaluate the impact of different building materials on health, in a building inspected by you.
Develop a checklist of building design factors, to assess the affect of design on human health.
Develop a checklist of building construction factors (other than materials) which may impact upon human health.
Explain how design can impact upon different aspects of the internal environment, including:
Thermal comfort
Light intensity
Humidity
Condensation
Acoustics
Control of pests
Noise insulation.
Study two specific buildings and compare the impact of building techniques, including construction and design, upon human health.
Explain the impact of electric fields on human health in a building you inspect.
Explain how electrical fields can be minimised by the way in which electric wires are laid in a specific house plan.
Compare differences upon the impact on health from different power supplies including:
Mains power
Self generated systems
Different voltages.
Compare the potential impact on health, of different waste disposal systems including:
Chemical treatments
Reed beds
Settling ponds
Combustion systems
Land fill.
Explain potential impact of different water supply systems on human health, including:
Mains water
Ground water
Different types of rain water tanks.
Explain possible impacts of gas supply systems on human health including:
Mains gas
Bottle gas
Self generated bio gas.
Compare the impact of different types of artificial light sources on human health, including:
Electric light
Combustion systems.
Compare the impact of different types of heating systems on human health.
List ways temperature can be controlled inside a building by design.
Explain health impacts of air conditioning in a building you select and study.
List ways acoustics can be controlled, by building design.
List ways light can be controlled, through building design.
List ways ventilation can be controlled, by building design.
Explain solar energy applications in a specified building.
Evaluate the impact of the design of a building you select and study on the interior environment.
Redesign a building from a specified building plan, to improve the quality of the physical environment inside.
Evaluate the heights of three different kitchen benches for ergonomic suitability to the people who are primary users of those benches.
Explain the importance of clear and easy access into and through the building for all users, including the disabled.
Explain health aspects of the relationship between the human body and the interior of a specific building.
Explain the affect that four different colours may have on human health.
Explain the affect of space perceptions may have on human health, in a visited interior workplace.
Evaluate the psychological impact of the interior environment in two distinctly different offices, upon the people who work in each of those offices.