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Presents analytical findings of sick building situations in Sydney’s open‐plan offices. Aims to ascertain facilities managers’ perceptions of sick building impacts on discrete aspects of workspace management, with a view to raising general awareness. A total of 100 open‐plan offices in the Sydney CBD were studied, and collated data analysed using partial correlation. Significant associations were found between sick building syndrome and certain aspects. However, management control played moderating roles in some of the associations. Concludes that, with management control, sick building syndrome may be perceived as critical to only a limited workspace aspect. The implication is for sick building syndrome to be largely generalised as inconsequential to many aspects of work environment in Sydney, probably following the Hawthorne management ideology.

Sick building syndrome is recognized by the World Health Organization. It is characterized by employees suffering from a range of symptoms which are associated with being in a particular building and are relieved by leaving it or staying away. Discusses the results of a survey which examined the extent and possible causes of sick building syndrome in libraries. Questionnaires were sent to all academic libraries in Great Britain together with a sample of public libraries. The evidence suggests that sick building syndrome exists in libraries and that air‐conditioned libraries are more likely to be affected than those which are naturally ventilated.

This paper describes a new proactive approach for facility managers to assess and manage complaints of “sick buildings”.

The assessment of the “sick building” syndrome problem is multifaceted and should include both objective data such as those collected and analyzed by industrial hygienists, and subjective data such as occupant perception measurements, usually gathered by surveys. The data for this research, both objective and subjective, were provided on a wide variety of office buildings and were analyzed using an artificial neural‐network based model.

Current literature on the subject suggests that the cause of poor indoor environments involves many variables interacting in an unlimited number of combinations. Using a blended definition of a narrowly defined “sick building”, a framework for a decision‐making support system for facility managers is provided.

The data collection was limited to Southeastern US commercial office buildings, but the model has global applicability.

Recommendations are presented to help facility managers better understand the complex nature of the indoor environment based on this research.

This research and data analysis can be tailored to and is applicable to any building type.

Offers an interpretation of results of a recent study on sick building syndrome and their implications for facilities managers. Demonstrates the need for facilities managers to take a disciplined approach to analysing health problems and invites the use of a model for assessing possible causes. Provides a basic framework for understanding environmental conditions, buildings, work practices, and workers for investigating complaints and causes of sick building syndrome.

The purpose of this article is to present a sick building syndrome (SBS) survey in open‐plan offices. The design factors (indoor plants, workstation partitions, and operable windows) that predict SBS were described for architects and interior designers, and the indoor environmental characteristics (thermal comfort, air quality, noise and lighting) that contribute to SBS symptoms were also investigated.

This study used a standard Building Use Studies (BUS) questionnaire that included sick building syndrome symptoms, environmental satisfaction and perception, and background information about the respondents and their office space. The questionnaire was conducted in 30 offices of building‐related professionals in Hong Kong. There were 469 Chinese office workers that participated.

Indoor plants and operable windows were related to a reduction of SBS symptoms; while workstation partitions did not affect the incidence of SBS symptoms. There were fewer sick building syndrome symptoms reported in the more satisfied respondents.

This study highlights a perception‐based solution for facilities design and management.

Sick buildings are those which expose their occupants to health dangers which arise purely from the buildings themselves. The multifarious illnesses which derive from a variety of sources are examined in minute detail and Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) itself is thoroughly dissected, the reasons for its present incidence, the scale of its effects, and its causes (climatic, chemical, ergonomic, psychological and managerial). It is concluded that organisations bear the greatest responsibility for protecting their members from building‐related hazards.

Investigates in depth Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) and the means to deal with the problem. Shows that ignoring job stress can actually increase the incidence of SBS. Modern management control systems should aid in reducing discomfort and make for a healthier and more economical environment. Concludes that optimizing environmental quality and performance should be targets for senior operational managers.

Considers the condition of sick building syndrome and the factors that may cause it. Discusses the definition of SBS, the likely causes, physical factors, indoor pollution, personal factors, organizational factors, when SBS can be definitely diagnosed, and future plans. Surmises that significant reductions in SBS can be achieved at little or no cost in many cases, to the benefit of productivity and reduced costs.

Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), which affects occupants of a building only whilst they are within its confines, is the subject of legal controversy regarding whose liability it is to put it right and eventually compensate the victims. Employers may not be solely responsible, as it is possible for the original designers/architects/builders to be held accountable where negligence can be proved. If an employer has done all that is reasonably practicable, even though failing to achieve a totally satisfactory solution, this would probably constitute a safe defence in law. However, the extent of an employer′s responsibility in this connection is still the subject of debate.

Considers some of the existing legal principles which might be applied to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) cases in the absence of specific SBS rules. Defines SBS. Lays down the building occupier′s position regarding statutory responsibilities and duties. Discusses the shared legal responsibility of building owners, construction product manufacturers, architects, engineers and builders. Offers some practical steps to reduce the risk of litigation.