Office
UNIT
Separation of Printing Room
Overview for Office Unit
Laser printers emit paper fibres, organic vapours and inorganic gases during the printing process. Particle emission levels
are printer specific and affected by printing conditions including the number of pages printed, cartridge age and toner
coverage.
Photocopiers generate ozone when high-voltage charging devices produce an electrostatic discharge during a copy run.
The concentration of ozone in the air around the photocopier is affected by the usage rate, the size of the room, and the
rate of air exchange or ventilation.
If photocopiers and laser printers are located in unfavourable conditions or operated in excess of expected copy volumes,
occupant exposure to indoor air pollutants may be exacerbated.
Benefits of Green Office Unit
The provision of exhaust systems for
photocopying and printer rooms in
office buildings can help to improve
the indoor air quality and thermal
comfort.
Separate rooms for photocopying
and printing equipment help to
eliminate the potential and direct
exposure to ozone which is generated
by photocopiers and laser printers.
As ozone is such a highly reactive
substance, any adverse health effects
will be found essentially at the sites of
the initial contact; the respiratory tract
(nose, throat and airways), the lungs
and, at higher concentrations, the
eyes. The principal health effects are
produced by irritation of and damage
to the small airways of the lungs.
Green Strategies for Office Unit
z
Ensure that equipment such as
photocopiers, laser printers and
fax machines are situated in
well ventilated areas and with
independent exhaust systems
z
Regularly service and maintain
printers and copiers to ensure
the equipment is in good work-
ing condition
z
Do not locate the equipment
in corridors or escape routes
because of the increased fire
risk and impeding the means of
escape
Figure 3.2.43 Improve the Indoor Air Quality in Your Building
Figure 3.2.44 Separate printer room in office
buildings
DESIGN STAGE
3.2.10 Separation of Printing Room
Office
UNIT
DESIGN STAGE
3.2.10 Separation of Printing Room
Case study of Dennis
Lau & Ng Chun Man
Architects & Engineers
Office:
Separation of printing room and server room
There is a separate room for printing as printers
emit paper fibres, organic vapours and inorganic
gases during the printing process. This can
improve the indoor air quality.
Paper Recycling
Paper recycling bins are placed next to printers
and are easily accessible, thus promoting paper
recycling.
Figure 3.2.45 Separation of Printing Room at DLN Office
(Source: Dennis Lau and Ng Chun Man Architects & Engineers)
Photoc
Equip
opiers
ment to be placed in a
Printers
well‐ventilated area
Fax Machines
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