Research optimal indoor climate long-term care completed

What requirements should healthcare facilities meet to provide the optimal indoor climate for clients and staff? TNO, together with TU Delft, TU/e and Hogeschool Utrecht, completed a literature review and issued an advisory report in order to arrive at a programme of requirements for both healthcare institutions and suppliers. The project was carried out within the EVZ programme and is supported substantively and financially by Woonzorg Nederland, Binnenklimaat Nederland and TVVL.

Currently, there are no specific guidelines for indoor climate in long-term care. This can be quite challenging for both care facilities and owners of care property. But contractors and installers when preserving, renovating or building new accommodation for long-term care would also benefit from clear guidelines. If it is not clear between the parties what quality is desired, this can cause discussion afterwards. Having guidelines contributes to better possibilities for controlling the quality of the indoor climate in combination with sustainability. Which leads to more satisfied clients and employees.

Indoor thermal and air quality guidelines

The study focused on the indoor climate of long-term care rooms. The aim is to come up with guidelines for temperature, humidity, amount of particulate matter and ventilation in these rooms. The guideline can be used in agreements between client and contractor in specifications and inspections or in case of complaints.

'Evidence-based' approach

The literature was searched for the evidence base for indoor climate requirements in long-term care facilities. Based on this literature review, a recommendation was made to arrive at a Programme of Requirements for indoor climate in long-term care facilities in the next phase. Stakeholders were involved in this through a sounding board group. Through this approach, the proposed requirements are 'evidence-based'.

Result: PoA

Based on the advice in the research report, the Binnenklimaattechniek Foundation will prepare a Programme of Requirements (PoR) for long-term care in 2023. Parties can use the PoR free of charge to flesh out the quality of comfort.

The Report Research on indoor climate requirements in long-term care is published via EVZ's Knowledge Base.

Read the report via the EVZ knowledge base

About Woonzorg Nederland 

Woonzorg Nederland is the largest social housing provider for seniors in the Netherlands. They build and manage future-proof care real estate and independent homes in some 170 municipalities. Tenants are offered affordable and safe housing with room to meet in the neighbourhood, allowing them to live 'independently together'.

About Binnenklimaat Nederland

Binnenklimaat Nederland is an ambitious and active association committed to achieving a healthy indoor climate. Its affiliated members are manufacturers, suppliers and service organisations in the field of indoor climate technology, control and monitoring.

About TVVL

TVVL is the national association for companies and professionals in installation engineering. The association makes the connection between knowledge and people. This creates a platform, a 'think tank' where members develop, share and transfer knowledge.

About EVZ

The Care Sustainability Expertise Centre (EVZ) is the knowledge centre for reducing CO₂-emissions in healthcare real estate. A key role of the EVZ is to facilitate the approach with portfolio roadmaps. The EVZ is implemented by Stichting Stimular, Milieuplatform Zorgsector (MPZ) and TNO on behalf of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The activities are coordinated with industry organisations NFU, NVZ, ActiZ, VGN and the Dutch mental health sector.