The effect of structures on IAQ and thermal comfort

This study calculates the effect of permeable hygroscopic structures on IAQ and thermalcomfort in a cold climate. Simulations are carried out for a detached house and application ofcriteria for assessment of indoor climate is given. The results show that hygroscopic structuressignificantly decreased the fluctuation of indoor relative humidity. In the winter,hygroscopicity had only minor effect on indoor climate, but in the summer, hygroscopicityhad some effect on thermal comfort, which was improved at lower ventilation rates.

Comparison of productivity and absenteeism effects of indoor environmental quality in offices

This paper is an overview of literature that investigates the effects of general environmentalquality, indoor air pollution, ventilation rates, thermal comfort, temperature control andnumber of persons per workspace on productivity and sickness absenteeism in offices. Thereview includes both self-reported effects and objective measurements of productivity andabsenteeism and both laboratory studies and field investigations. It turns out that a goodgeneral environmental quality increases productivity by 10-15% and decreases sicknessabsenteeism by 2.5 percentpoint.

Individual control of air velocity for increasing productivity

Subjective experiments were conducted in a climatic chamber to evaluate the effect ofindividual control of air velocity on productivity. For the condition of constant air velocity(CAV) subjects were not allowed to control air velocity and for the condition of preferred airvelocity (PAV) they were allowed to control it. The chamber was conditioned at airtemperatures of 31C, mean radiant temperature of 31C, and relative humidity of 50%. Severalcomputer tasks were given to the subjects to evaluate task performance.

Indoor climate and perceived comfort in offices

A method has been developed to investigate the comfort in office buildings. It is based onboth measurements and a questionnaire. The measurement apparatus, the so-calledAmbiometer, can record both the main comfort parameters, such as temperature, humidity,noise, light and odours, and the occupant's perceived comfort. Information regarding theindoor climate and the working environment is noted on the questionnaire.Experiments were conducted on about 50 offices in France.

The SBS symptoms and environmental perceptions of office workers in the Tropics at two air temperatures and two ventilation rates

A blind intervention study in which air temperature and the outside air supply rate were changed in a 2 × 2 design was carried out in a call centre in Singapore. The reported intensity of headache and difficulty in concentrating were reduced by 19.5% (P

Optimisation of the indoor thermal comfort in private houses using advanced turbulent models

The simulation has been performed using the CFD package SWIFT. In the first phase, meanflow and thermal comfort parameters of the integral living room of the modern family househave been calculated. In the second phase the effect of turbulence was the subject of interest.Two turbulence models, the k-e and the HTM (Hybrid Turbulence Model), were applied.HTM already showed good results in other application areas, e.g. aerodynamics of cars. Thepresent study demonstrates the new approach in modelling and calculating air conditioning ofthe rooms.

Energy analysis of the thermal comfort

A thermal comfort designer is especially concerned with creating an environment to improvethe physical, mental and psychical health of human beings. The general thermal state of thebody both in comfort and in heat or cold stress is dependent on an analysis of the heat balancefor the human body. Traditional methods of thermal analysis are based on the first law ofthermodynamics. By contrast, the second law of thermodynamics introduces the usefulconcept of exergy in the analysis.

Influence of the degradation of building components on thermal comfort

This paper presents results of an ongoing research conducted at the BEST Polytechnic ofMilan about the correlation between the over time degradation of building envelopcomponents and the indoor climate.

Subjective response to the thermal comfort in heated dwellings

The main aim of a heating system is to provide the objective thermal comfort parameters. The subjective thermal sensation of users is a very important aspect.The paper presents the results of experimental measurements on thermal comfort of indoorenvironment. The investigation was carried out in two blocks of flats. They were alike, but forthe installed thermal valves.

Thermal characteristics of a partition air supply system at a personal task area

A partition integrated air supply system can provide highly personalized environmentalcontrol. The supply air is brought up through raised floors and supplied to outlets located onthe partition panels. The purpose of this paper is to find the best design of outlets for optimaloccupant comfort within a personal task area.Real-scale experiments were conducted to allow for comparisons of outlet designs within apersonal task area.

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