Dataset Supporting the t/Q-Based Evaluation of Ventilation Performance in a Hospital Isolation Room
Description
This study tests the hypothesis that airborne microbial concentration in a hospital isolation room is better explained by the exposure normalized ventilation metric (t/Q ratio) and local airflow velocity fields than by air change rate (ACH) alone. Specifically, we hypothesize that lower t/Q values and higher local airflow velocities correspond to reduced microbial loads. The isolation room geometry.csv file contains measurements of room dimensions, ventilation layout, air velocities, and pressure differentials. These values represent both the boundary conditions and validation points for the CFD model. The microbial data.csv file contains colony forming unit (CFU/m³) counts obtained from settle plate sampling at the same spatial coordinates used for airflow measurements. The dataset includes t/Q calculations and allows correlation between microbial load, local velocity, and ventilation performance. The data show that sampling points with low t/Q values consistently have lower microbial loads, supporting the hypothesized inverse relationship. In contrast, areas with very low airflow velocities (<0.025 m/s) show elevated CFU levels even when the overall room ventilation meets or exceeds 18 ACH. This indicates that aggregate ACH can mask localized ventilation inefficiencies. The geometry and ventilation dataset should be used to understand airflow distribution and identify regions of stagnant air. The microbial dataset enables direct comparison of CFD predicted airflow behaviour with real microbial deposition. Researchers can use these files to reproduce the CFD model, evaluate t/Q ratios, or compare alternative ventilation configurations. Together, the datasets provide a basis for analysing how local airflow patterns influence airborne contamination risk in isolation room environments.
Files
Steps to reproduce
The dataset was produced as part of a study evaluating airflow behaviour and airborne microbial concentration in a negative pressure hospital isolation room. Data were collected in two main streams 1. Physical room and ventilation measurements 2. Airborne microbiological sampling. Room dimensions, supply return locations, and ventilation parameters (temperature, humidity, negative pressure setpoint) were measured on site and documented in isolation room geometry.csv. Air velocity measurements were obtained using a calibrated hot wire anemometer following a grid based sampling protocol at breathing zone height. Pressure differentials were recorded using a magnehelic gauge. These measurements were used both to validate and to provide boundary conditions for the CFD simulation. Airborne microorganisms were collected using settle plates (90 mm TSA) exposed for a standardized duration at predefined room locations. Colony forming units were counted after incubation at 37°C for 48 hours. The resulting values (CFU/m³) are provided in microbial data.csv. Sampling points were matched spatially to CFD velocity fields. Room geometry and ventilation parameters were modelled in Autodesk CFD. Steady state airflow simulations were performed, and the resulting velocity fields were exported for correlation with microbial data. The t/Q ratio (exposure time divided by ventilation rate) was calculated to evaluate exposure normalized ventilation performance. All instruments, protocols, sampling positions, and CFD settings are described to allow independent replication of physical measurements, microbiological sampling, and airflow modelling.
Institutions
- Universitas Katolik Soegijapranata Program Pascasarjana