Humidity in the apartment: the norm indicator for residential premises

The article discusses in detail such a thing as humidity in an apartment: the norm of this indicator for residential premises for different purposes, prescribed by GOST, the consequences for a person resulting from a deviation from the norm in one direction or the other. The text describes alternative methods for measuring the level of moisture and devices designed for this, as well as recommendations for maintaining optimal climatic conditions.

Humidity in the apartment: the norm indicator for residential premises

Humidity in the apartment: the norm water content for a comfortable living environment

The optimum level of air humidity is one of the components that provide comfortable climatic conditions for a person’s residence. And for each of the premises, depending on its purpose, has its own microclimate. Most often, people care about the temperature and quality of air masses in the house, forgetting about this indicator. But it is the number of water molecules (steam) in the composition of the air affects the perception of temperature by the human body, the safety of the situation in the room and the condition of the plants.

Humidity in the apartment: the norm indicator for residential premises

Note! The generally accepted average indicator of normal air humidity in an apartment should be at the level of 45%. It may vary depending on the type of room and its operating conditions.

Deviation from the norm is possible, both in the winter season and in the warm period. In both cases, the lack or excess of moisture entails a deterioration in people’s health, plant conditions and damage to furniture, decoration, etc.

What should be the humidity in the apartment (average values ​​for the main premises):

Type of room Humidity level,%
Canteen 40-60
Bathroom, kitchen 40-60
Library and work area 30-40
Bedroom 40-50
Children’s 45-60

 

Rooms such as kitchen, bathroom and bathroom will always have an increased level of moisture, so the standard for these rooms is higher than for other rooms.

Humidity in the apartment: the norm indicator for residential premises

When the batteries are turned on, the indoor air becomes overdried. As a result, the mucous membrane of the throat and nasal cavity is irritated in the occupants. There is drying of hair and skin. In case of violation of the norm of humidity in the living room, static electricity is formed, raising the dust particles into the air. This process can be the basis for the spread of germs and dust mites.

Excessive dryness of the room entails many negative consequences:

  • reduced elasticity of the skin, nails and hair – as a result, dermatitis, peeling, microcracks and premature wrinkles appear;
  • dryness of the mucous membranes of the eyes – redness, unpleasant itching and a sensation of foreign bodies (“sand”) appear;
  • the blood thickens – because of this the circulation of the blood flow slows down, a person appears weak, headaches. A decrease in performance is observed, the heart is subjected to increased loads and wears faster;
  • increases the viscosity of intestinal and gastric juice – the work of the digestive system slows down significantly;

Humidity in the apartment: the norm indicator for residential premises

  • dry airways – as a result, local immunity is weakened, the likelihood of colds and infectious diseases increases;
  • air quality decreases – a large number of allergens are concentrated in the air masses, which, at the normal humidity of the air in the room, are bound by water particles.

Note! Plants and animals from the apartment suffer from a lack of moisture. The service life of wooden furniture and finishes is reduced, they fade and become covered with cracks.

Overabundance of water can also be dangerous for a person, so many people think about how much humidity is considered normal in an apartment and how to keep the climatic conditions within this indicator. Increased water vapor in the room becomes an excellent breeding ground for fungi, mold and harmful bacteria.

Humidity in the apartment: the norm indicator for residential premises

In such conditions, there are many problems:

  1. The frequency and severity of respiratory diseases is increasing – diseases such as bronchitis, runny nose, allergies and asthma become chronic, difficult to treat.
  2. The microclimate in the rooms becomes unacceptable for life – people feel damp or stuffy in the rooms.
  3. The feeling of freshness is lost – excretions of breeding pathogens cause unpleasant odors.
  4. The drying time of the washed laundry is increased.

Increased humidity in the apartment is also harmful to the situation. Plants begin to rot, mold appears on the ceiling and walls, wooden surfaces undergo deformational changes. Books and other paper products change their structure.

Humidity in the apartment: the norm indicator for residential premises

Humidity can be relative and absolute. To create a comfortable climate in the house the optimal value is calculated. GOST 30494-95 regulates the indicator that indicates what the normal humidity of the air in the apartment should be.

Relative humidity is indicated as a percentage in two quantities:

  • optimal indicator;
  • permissible value.

Tolerable value is a limit that does not harm human health, but may adversely affect overall health, mood, and reduce performance.

Humidity in the apartment: the norm indicator for residential premises

Note! If there are certain rules for the bedrooms, children’s rooms and other areas where a person has been around for a long time, then it is not necessary to strictly adhere to normal humidity in the kitchen, bathroom, corridor and bathroom. These rooms are considered auxiliary.

As the unit of measurement of absolute humidity is the actual content of steam in 1 m? of air. For example, in one cubic meter of air may contain 13 g of water. In this case, the absolute humidity will be 13 g / m ?.

To obtain relative humidity, you will need to perform certain calculations. For this we need two indicators:

  • maximum water content in 1 m? air;
  • the actual amount of water in 1 m? of air.

Humidity in the apartment: the norm indicator for residential premises

The percentage of real data to the highest possible rate will be relative humidity. For example, in 1 m? air at a temperature of 24 ° C can best fit 21.8 g of liquid. If, in fact, it will contain 13 g of water, then the relative humidity will be equal to 60%. For convenience, you can use a special table of absolute humidity, which contains auxiliary data.

The indicator prescribed by GOST, depends not only on the purpose of the premises, but also on the time of year. For the warm period, provided 30-60%. At the same time, the relative air humidity in the room is 60 percent, and the maximum allowable will be 65%. For some regions, where in the summer months are accompanied by high humidity, the standard value may be increased to 75%.

For the cold season, the standards for relative humidity in the room are 40-45%. In this case, the maximum allowable value is 60%.

Humidity in the apartment: the norm indicator for residential premises

For interior items and plants also provides for standards:

  1. Furniture and antiques feel great at 40-60%.
  2. For household appliances recommended humidity in the range of 45-60%
  3. Books and other paper products need 30-65% of air humidity.
  4. Standards for green spaces depend on the type of plants. Tropical greens need a high level of moisture – 80-95%, subtropical are limited to 75-80%, and for all others the figure in the range of 40-70% is suitable.

Humidity in the apartment: the norm indicator for residential premises

Note! The table shows how relative humidity is interrelated with human comfort and health. It depends on its level how comfortably harmful elements feel in the house and how negative processes take place outside the norm of air humidity.

 Comfort zones of elements harmful to humans:

Type of adverse effect Humidity,%
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 thirty 20 ten
Bacteria one 2 3
Fungi four 3 2 one
Viruses one 2 3 four
Dust mites five four 3 2 one
Allergic reactions, asthma attacks  

five

 

four

 

3

 

2

 

one

 

one

 

2

 

3

 

four

 

five

Ozone formation process one 2 3 four five 6

 

In the table, the value “6” shows the maximum impact, “1” – the minimum impact on people.

Humidity in the apartment: the norm indicator for residential premises

To maintain optimal humidity in the house, you can use special devices – humidifiers. This category of climate technology includes many modifications: traditional, steam, ultrasonic devices. Air “washes” and climatic complexes are more complex versions of these devices, equipped with a hygrometer, a timer and other useful additions. In the fight against mold will help UV lamp.

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