Field studies in the United States and United Kingdom of the effectiveness of mechanical ventilation systems on indoor air quality in hospitality venues where smoking is allowed in relation to outdoor air conditions.(Report)

INTRODUCTION

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of mechanical ventilation in building spaces where smoking is allowed field studies measuring ventilation and indoor air quality in six well-ventilated hospitality venues on two continents were conducted. The hospitality venues were selected to include a variety of uses and types of mechanical ventilation systems. The field study included three resort casino properties in the United States and two pubs and one restaurant in the United Kingdom.

METHODS

The field study consisted of:

* Phase 1 -- Selection of venues

* United States Venues

* United Kingdom Venues

* Phase 2 -- Site testing/assessment in both the United States and the United Kingdom

Phase 1-Selection of Venues

The purpose of these field studies was the evaluation of indoor air quality in well-ventilated hospitality venues where smoking occurs. The selection of venues for inclusion in the field studies of typical hospitality facilities that are well ventilated was very important. For the North American field study the selection of hospitality venues included the inspection of large casino resort facilities in a variety of locations throughout the United States. The geographic locations included: Atlantic City; East Chicago; Las Vegas; Tunica, Mississippi; and Kansas City, Missouri. In the United Kingdom, the selection of hospitality venues included two pubs and a restaurant in Cardiff and London.

United States. Through consultation with mechanical engineering and casino operations personnel, three different casinos were selected to be included in the field study following an assessment of nine different casinos. During the selection process researchers evaluated the nine casino venues using a checklist including the following parameters:

* Ceiling height

* Estimated floor area

* Carbon dioxide levels and ventilation rate

* Number of smokers present

* Type of ventilation system

* Tobacco smoke control measures in place

The primary selection criteria for the three venues to be included in the field study were that they were provided with effective ventilation by commonly used (not specialized) mechanical systems and that the occupancy and smoking rates were typical of similar casino establishments throughout the United States. Two of the venues selected were located in Las Vegas, Nevada and one of the venues was located in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Las Vegas

Venue #1-Purpose Built Casino

This is a new casino constructed in the late 1990's. The casino has high ceilings and the ventilation rate was also high.

Venue #2-Purpose Built Casino

This facility was originally constructed in the late 1970's with recent major renovations to the casino substantially increasing ceiling height and ventilation rate.

Atlantic City

Venue #3-Purpose Built Casino

Originally constructed in the late 1970's, the casino received recent major renovations to substantially increase ceiling height and ventilation rate.

United Kingdom. In November 2006, researchers conducted site inspections of a total of twelve United Kingdom hospitality venues located in London and Cardiff. The purpose of the site inspections was to select three well-ventilated hospitality venues where smoking is allowed to be included in the field study. Researchers gathered data on each of the twelve venues using a checklist that included the following:

* Location (busy street, city, etc.)

* Type of establishment (pub, restaurant, etc.)

* Ceiling height

* Estimated floor area

* Carbon dioxide levels and ventilation rate

* Seating capacity

* Number of smokers present

* Type of ventilation system

* Tobacco smoke control measures in place

Three venues were selected for the field study based on the data collected during the site inspections. The primary selection criteria for these venues were that they were provided with effective ventilation by commonly used (not specialized) mechanical systems and that the occupancy and smoking rates were typical of similar hospitality establishments throughout the United Kingdom. One of the venues was located in London and two of the venues were located in Cardiff.

Cardiff

Venue #4 -- Traditional Pub

A typical small one-room pub located on the outskirts of Cardiff with seating for approximately 60 people.

Venue #5 -- Newly Renovated Pub/Restaurant

This venue is a purpose-built restaurant/pub and is considered an up-scale venue that has undergone extensive renovations and upgrades over the past few years. It is located in the heart of Cardiff on the main street, which is heavily traveled by automobiles. This venue has a seating capacity of 850.

London

Venue #6 -- Wine Bar/Restaurant

The venue is an elegant restaurant/wine bar located on the basement level of a building located in central London. The street is quite heavily traveled by automobiles and the restaurant has a seating capacity of approximately 120.

Phase 2-Site Testing/Assessment

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