Jonescu, Emil, Mackintosh, Gary, Uylaki, Talia J, Ramanayaka, Chamil Erik, Farrell, Benjamin, Hunter, Helen, Blagden, Gary, Olatunji, Oluwole A and Ullah, Fahim ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6221-1175 (2026) Baseline indoor environmental quality in a residential aged care facility prior to replacement. Facilities, 44 (15-16). pp. 42-62. ISSN 0263-2772

Abstract

his study aims to establish a baseline of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and perceived indoor environmental conditions in an older ward-style residential aged care facility prior to demolition, providing a benchmark for evaluating a purpose-built replacement in a companion study. In this study, “baseline” refers to minute-resolution distributions of real-world environmental exposure (typical ranges, exceedance proportions and peak frequencies) measured within the existing facility, rather than a single target value. A 14-day monitoring campaign (September–October 2024) was conducted in Perth, Western Australia, across a bedroom, lounge, activity room and corridor. Continuous measures of noise (dB(A)), illuminance (lux) and temperature (°C) were recorded using calibrated loggers (IC-NSRT calibrated acoustic dataloggers; HOBO MX2202 combined light and temperature dataloggers). Results were evaluated against WHO night-noise guidance (recommended night-time limits for sleep protection), AS/NZS 2107:2016, pragmatic circadian-light targets (=1000 lux daytime; =10 lux night) and literature indicating diurnal thermal variation = 2°C. Parallel surveys co-developed with facility stakeholder perceptions (including staff and resident/proxy respondents) of noise, lighting and thermal comfort (staff: 23; residents/proxies: 24).Findings Night-time bedroom sound levels exceeded WHO guidance for most monitored minutes, with intermittent peaks above 55 dB(A). Communal lounges exceeded the 45 dB(A) daytime guideline during most monitored periods. Daytime bedroom illuminance rarely achieved =30 min at =1,000 lux, while night-time exceedances above 10 lux occurred because of corridor spill. Temperatures were generally stable with limited day–night variation (<2°C) in most spaces. Survey responses aligned with measured noise patterns but tended to normalise lighting conditions that fell short of circadian-supportive targets; thermal comfort was rated positively.Practical implications The findings identify actionable priorities for redevelopment and interim operations, including acoustic buffering of bedrooms and corridors, daylight/circadian-supportive lighting provision, night-time spill control and more dynamic thermal zoning or scheduling.Originality/value This study provides a rare pre-replacement baseline integrating continuous IEQ monitoring with stakeholder perceptions in residential aged care, enabling defensible same-site benchmarking against a purpose-built facility.

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