Technical Report Draft 1

INTRODUCTION

This proposal has been developed in response to the request for proposals for developing solutions for sustainable initiatives beneficial to citizens.
As the population of Singapore increases gradually over time, there will also be an increase in the
demand for water usage in both domestic and non-domestic sector. Public Utilities Board (PUB) 
(2018) states that water demand in Singapore is likely to double from 430 million gallons to 860 
million gallons a day by 2060. Singapore’s water supply comes from 2 primary sources, mainly the
imported water from Malaysia and NEWater. The water treaty between Singapore and Malaysia is
currently ongoing and it will expire in 43 years time. If Malaysia does not renew the water treaty, 
Singapore will have to rely on NEWater for domestic and non-domestic usage. According to PUB,
the five NEWater plants are supplying up to 40% of Singapore’s current needs and will ultimately 
hit up to 55% by 2060. As a result, there will be a shortage of water in Singapore by 2061.
Currently, public male restrooms in Brussels Airport uses waterless urinals to conserve water. 
Throughout a year, these waterless urinals can save up to an estimated 30,000 cubic meters of 
water per year, which equates to 30,000,000 litres of water. According to PUB, each Singaporean
uses an average of 143 litres per day. This water savings can provide 114 families of 5 with 
potable water per day in Singapore. Implementing waterless urinals will reduce the overall water
usage of airports. This will help alleviate the water security issue prevailing in Singapore by 2060.

Figure 1.1. Survey on water usage in toilets.

A survey was conducted with 57 Singaporean males to find out how often they use the urinals a 
day. The survey results from figure 1.1 show that more than 50% of Singaporeans males use the
urinal five times or more a day, which means that they use more than five litres of water a day
mainly on urinals.

Problem statement

An ideal sustainable airport should implement zero-flush urinals throughout the airport to 
eliminate the water usage of urinals. However, Changi airport is currently using low flush urinals a
nd has yet to implement such water-efficient technology. In an effort to be water efficient, the 
installation of zero-flush urinals can significantly help to reduce water usage in Changi Airport.

Purpose statement

The purpose of the proposal is to convince the Changi Airport Group (CAG) facility management 
team to implement zero-flush urinals in the toilets of Changi Airport to reduce water
consumption.

References

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/changi-airport-continues-its-green-push

https://www.pub.gov.sg/watersupply/fournationaltaps/newater

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/singapore-ranks-top-in-sustainability-
among-asian-cities-second-globally

https://www.pub.gov.sg/savewater/atwork/certificationprogramme

http://www.changiairport.com/corporate/csr/sustainability.html?anchor=watermanagement&#wat
erefficiency

https://www.brusselsairport.be/en/env/news/65030

https://www.pub.gov.sg/savewater

Reader Response Draft 3 (Final)

An excerpt from Guidelines for Good Indoor Air Quality in Office Premises, Ministry of the Environment (MNV, 1996) stated that indoor air quality (IAQ) can be improved through the initial stage of design and construction of the building. The air conditioning and mechanical ventilation system (ACMV) should be designed in a way that prevents the spread of contaminants. Building materials used should not produce any chemicals that will affect the IAQ. To ensure acceptable IAQ, an inspection should be continuously done by professionals, making sure the materials used for air ducts were able to withstand daily usage and maintenance. The guideline also mentioned that placement of the outdoor air intakes should be far away from any form of pollutions, while the air filter should be situated near air intakes with protection from outdoor elements. Any systems do not belong to ACMV should not be found in AHU room.

However, these guidelines from 1996 only mentioned the IAQ management during the design and construction phase, which fails to include the management during occupancy phase when the building is most used and how chemicals from underground and building materials could affect the IAQ and the health implications on the occupants.

Currently, most of the existing building contains radon, a type of indoor air pollutants. According to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS, 2018), it stated that radon is “an invisible, odourless, tasteless, radioactive gas” and it is a decay product of uranium. Radon is usually emitted from soil or groundwater under the building and it can easily pass through cracks around the foundation into the indoor air. CCOHS also stated that inhaling radon will increase the risk of lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS, 2011), scientists estimated that about 10 percent of lung cancer death was caused by radon poisoning within non-smoker each year. Back in Singapore, there was little discussion about indoor air pollutants and most people lack awareness of what are they breathing in daily. Therefore, I believed that it is essential for the government to educate the citizens on what is radon and how could we act on it.

In the excerpt, it stated that building materials should not produce any type of harmful chemical that will affect the IAQ. However, we do not know what materials are being used and what implications it has on us. One of the most common materials used for building construction is asbestos. According to the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance (MCA, 2018), Asbestos refers to “six naturally occurring fibrous minerals that have the ability to resist heat, fire and electricity.” Thus, it was found at many buildings constructed before 1980. However, the usage could bring danger to our health. MCA also stated that asbestos particle can cling onto tissues of the lungs which would cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Due to its danger, Building Construction Authority (BCA) and MNV had banned the use of asbestos for building construction since the late 1980s. However, many buildings in Singapore was built before 1980, which many still contained asbestos as of today. Asbestos will not pose much threat if it is not damaged or crumbled, but once the fibers are released into the air, it will be harmful to us. Therefore, it is essential to make sure what materials are used during construction and more importantly, understanding what we can do if we find asbestos.

Overall, the excerpt mainly stated on how we should maintain the IAQ level during the design and construction phase. However, it is also essential to know how to maintain it during the occupancy phase as it will affect the health of the occupants if the IAQ is terrible.

References

Ministry of the Environment (1996).  Guidelines for Good Indoor Air Quality in Office Premises Retrieved 14 September 2018 from https://www.bca.gov.sg/GreenMark/others/NEA_Office_IAQ_Guidelines.pdf

National Cancer Institute (2011). Radon and Cancer Retrieved 7 October 2018 from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/radon/radon-fact-sheet

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (2018). Radon in Buildings Retrieved 7 October 2018 from https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/radon.html

National Environment Agency (2018). Asbestos Control Retrieved 7 October 2018 from https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/pollution-control/hazardous-waste/asbestos-control

Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance (2018). What is Asbestos? Retrieved 7 October 2018 from https://www.mesothelioma.com/asbestos-exposure/what-is-asbestos.htm

Reader Response Draft 2

An excerpt from Guidelines for Good Indoor Air Quality in Office Premises, Ministry of the Environment (MNV, 1996) stated that indoor air quality (IAQ) can be improved through the initial stage of design and construction of the building. The air conditioning and mechanical ventilation system (ACMV) should be designed in a way that prevents the spread of contaminants. Building materials used should not produce any chemicals that will affect the IAQ. To ensure acceptable IAQ, an inspection should be continuously done by professionals, making sure the materials used for air ducts were able to withstand daily usage and maintenance. The guideline also mentioned that placement of the outdoor air intakes should be far away from any form of pollutions, while the air filter should be situated near air intakes with protection from outdoor elements. Any systems do not belong to ACMV should not be found in AHU room.

However, the guidelines only mentioned the IAQ management during the design and construction phase, which does not include how having poor indoor air quality can lead to different health issues.

Firstly, having a bad air quality will cause health implications. The article “Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution” stated the short-term symptoms and long-term health implications of having indoor air pollutants in the building. Some of the short-term symptoms consist of coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and these symptoms will be relieved once the occupants leave the building. However, some cases have led to severe health issues like wheezing, severe lung disease and fever. Through this article, I can understand the importance of having good indoor air quality and the consequences of not having it.

Secondly, most of the existing building contains radon, a type of indoor air pollutants. According to Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS, 2018), it stated that radon is “an invisible, odourless, tasteless, radioactive gas” and it is a decay product of uranium. Radon is usually emitted from soil or groundwater under the building and it can easily pass through cracks around the foundation into the indoor air. CCOHS also stated that inhaling radon will increase the risk of lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS, 2011), scientists estimated that about 10 percent of lung cancer death was caused by radon poisoning within non-smoker each year. Back in Singapore, there was little discussion about indoor air pollutants and most people lack awareness of what are they breathing in daily. Therefore, I believed that it is essential for the government to educate the citizens on what is radon and how could we act on it.

In the excerpt, it stated that building materials should not produce any type of harmful chemical that will affect the IAQ. However, we do not know what materials are being used and what implications it has on us. One of the most common materials used for building construction is asbestos. According to the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance (MCA, 2018), Asbestos refers to “six naturally occurring fibrous minerals that have the ability to resist heat, fire and electricity.” Thus, it was found at many buildings constructed before 1980. However, the usage could bring danger to our health. MCA also stated that asbestos particle can cling onto tissues of the lungs which would cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis. Due to its danger, Building Construction Authority (BCA) and MNV had banned the use of asbestos for building construction since the late 1980s. However, many buildings in Singapore was built before 1980, which many still contained asbestos as of today. Asbestos will not pose much threat if it is not damaged or crumbled, but once the fibers are released into the air, it will be harmful to us. Therefore, it is essential to make sure what materials are used during construction and more importantly, understanding what we can do if we find asbestos.

References

Ministry of the Environment (1996).  Guidelines for Good Indoor Air Quality in Office Premises Retrieved 14 September 2018 from https://www.bca.gov.sg/GreenMark/others/NEA_Office_IAQ_Guidelines.pdf

Blue Point Environmental (2018). Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution Retrieved 2 October 2018 from https://www.bluepointenvironmental.com/indoor-air-quality-health-effects/

National Cancer Institute (2011). Radon and Cancer Retrieved 7 October 2018 from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/radon/radon-fact-sheet

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (2018). Radon in Buildings Retrieved 7 October 2018 from https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/phys_agents/radon.html

National Environment Agency (2018). Asbestos Control Retrieved 7 October 2018 from https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/pollution-control/hazardous-waste/asbestos-control

Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance (2018). What is Asbestos? Retrieved 7 October 2018 from https://www.mesothelioma.com/asbestos-exposure/what-is-asbestos.htm

Reader Response Draft 1

An excerpt from Guidelines for Good Indoor Air Quality in Office Premises (1996) stated that indoor air quality (IAQ) can be improved through the initial stage of design and construction of the building. The air conditioning and mechanical ventilation system (ACMV) should be designed in a way that prevents the spread of contaminants. Building materials used should not produce any chemicals that will affect the IAQ. To ensure acceptable IAQ, an inspection should be continuously done by professional, making sure the materials used for air ducts were able to withstand daily usage and maintenance. The guideline also mentioned that placement of the outdoor air intakes should be far away from any form of pollutions, while the air filter should be situated near air intakes with protection from outdoor elements. Any systems do not belong to ACMV should not be found in AHU room.

However, these guidelines are not applicable now as the standard requirement for IAQ had changed since 1996 with the newest edition in 2015. Furthermore, the guidelines only mentioned the IAQ management during the design and construction phase, which does not include the benefits of maintaining the IAQ level and the relevant health issues regarding the topics.

Firstly, the Building Construction Authority came out with Green Mark NRB2015 Technical Guide & Requirements (2015). It is the newest edition of the criteria for green mark certification, which includes IAQ documentation requirements during the design stage. In the excerpt from the new edition, the design stage should also include occupant comfort. It stated that it is a requirement to conduct an IAQ audit by a qualified laboratory in the first year of occupancy to ensure the IAQ is within the acceptable limit. Thus, it clear that the initial guidelines are outdated and shouldn’t continue to be used.

Secondly, there are benefits in maintaining a good IAQ. Based on the article “3 Major Benefits of Good Indoor Air Quality” (2017), it stated that it will cost a lot financially for the building to clear out pollutants as the stress on HVAC will increase and efficiency will decrease, leading to more repairs and upgrades to tackle the situation. It also mentioned that having bad air quality in the building also makes life difficult. Occupants will have to experience bad smell and most likely will experience sneezing frequently. Through this article, I believed that having good air quality in the building will not only save cost for the electricity bill, but it will also make life more convenient.

Lastly, having a bad air quality will cause health implications. The article “Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution” (2018) stated the short-term symptoms and long-term health implications of having indoor air pollutants in the building. Some of the short-term symptoms consist of coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and these symptoms will be relieved once the occupants leave the building. However, some cases have led to severe health issues like wheezing, severe lung disease and fever. Through this article, I can understand the importance of having good indoor air quality and the consequences of not having.

Overall, the article covered the ways which a building could improve in their IAQ through the initial design and construction stage. However, it would be better if they used something that’s more recent so that it will be more applicable to the new buildings. Furthermore, they can also include the benefits of having good indoor air quality and the relevant health issues so that occupants will have more awareness about it.

Ministry of the Environment. (1996).  Guidelines for Good Indoor Air Quality in Office Premises.
Retrieved from https://www.bca.gov.sg/GreenMark/others/NEA_Office_IAQ_Guidelines.pdf

Building Construction Authority (2015). Green Mark NRB2015 Technical Guide & Requirements.

Retrieved from https://www.bca.gov.sg/GreenMark/others/GM_NRB2015_Technical_Guide_Requirements_R3.pdf

Temperature Pro Milwaukee (2017). 3 Major Benefits of Good Indoor Air Quality

Retrieved from https://temperaturepromilwaukee.com/110-3-major-benefits-of-good-indoor-air-quality/

Blue Point Environmental (2018). Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution

Retrieved from https://www.bluepointenvironmental.com/indoor-air-quality-health-effects/