Spectral Characteristics of UV Light Existing in Indoor Visual Environment

Abstract

This paper deals with the spectral characteristics of ultraviolet (UV) ray in an architectural environment. Visual quality is one of the most important factors in the design of interior environment of building, conferring the necessary mood suitable to the built environment for the occupants’ required functions. Visual environment can also have an impact on the healthy status of the human beings affecting both the mental and physical wellbeing of the occupants. As a natural resource of lighting, daylight arrives on the surface of the earth as one of the electric waves composed of UV, visual and infrared rays. Visual ray plays a significant role in the formulation of the visual environment due to its superior sensitivity on human acuity. However, the UV rays being the more energetic ones would penetrate into built environments and they can be very harmful for the occupants. The spectral characteristics and intensities of UV rays can be affected by architectural features, such as the incident angles and locations of the measurement. This study investigated the impact of time on the measurement of the spectral characteristics of UV rays. Other factors such as the distance from the window and the incidence direction were also included in the study. The results were expressed in terms of distribution and intensity of the wavelength. The correlation among UV intensity, distance, time and direction was also established by the study.