THE PROBE PROJECT: TECHNICAL LESSONS FROM PROBE 2

The Probe series of published post-occupancy surveys in CIBSE’s Journal Building Services has reviewed building services, energy performance, management, and occupant satisfaction in buildings of technical interest. Findings from Probe 1 were reported at the National Conference in 1997. Since then Probe 2 has added eight new buildings, which are compared with the original findings. The good news is better occupant satisfaction and energy efficiency, particularly in the naturally ventilated and mixed mode buildings. The bad news is the persistence of chronic problems, e.g. poor functionality and user interfaces for controls; over-complicated systems which occupants and management find difficult to use; and widespread energy wastage. Air infiltration, anecdotally a problem in Probe 1, was also investigated by pressure tests in Probe 2. It was high in most of the buildings, with two notable exceptions. The new results confirm the need for better briefing; clearer communication; more discussion of the demands buildings will make on their occupants and management; more robust and sometimes simpler solutions with downside risks considered and minimised; intrinsically efficient systems with more usable controls; better industry support to occupiers after handover; and better feedback with cradle-to-grave benchmarking. These will help the industry to improve current practice, avoid recurrent problems, respond more effectively to the Egan and Kyoto agendas, understand and communicate with its customers, and improve their occupant satisfaction and all-round performance.