BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND HEALTH

A Distance Education Course (Healthy Buildings I BBS200)

Learn to describe and explain the impact of building construction characteristics upon human health; and to recommend innovations in building design to improve the habitability of the building.

Duration  100 hours

COURSE AIMS

Upon completing this course you will be able to:

-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.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The following topics are addressed, with reference to health:

* building materials* construction techniques

* electrical wiring* temperature control

* acoustics and noise control* light control

* ventilation* ergonomic and psychological Aspects

* plumbing

There are ten lessons as follows:

1.Introduction To Building Biology

2.Building Materials

3.Construction

4.Services

5.Temperature: Heating & Cooling

6.The Internal Environment: Ventilation

7.Light

8.Acoustics

9.Ergonomic Considerations

10.Psychological Considerations

WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE

Amongst other things; you will do all of the following throughout this course:

*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 in a summary for each, 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 you inspect.

-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 affect 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.

 

-Compare the impact of building techniques, including construction and design, upon human health, in two different specific buildings.

 

-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, including:

*Electric*Gas*Slow combustion*Solar*Standard combustion.

 

-List ways temperature can be controlled inside a building by design.

 

-Explain health impacts of air conditioning in a building you inspect.

 

-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 on the interior environment.

 

-Redesign a building, to improve the quality of the physical environment inside.

 

-Evaluate the heights of three different kitchen benches for ergonomic suitability to 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 visitedinterior workplace.

 

-Evaluate the psychological impact of the interior environment in two distinctly different offices,

upon the people who work in each of those offices.

To enrol, click here