Field study of occupant comfort and office thermal environments in a cold climate

Conference · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:349957

Donnini, G; Nguyen, V H ^[1]; Lai, D H.C. ^[2]; LaFlamme, M ^[3]; Haghighat, F ^[4]; Molina, J; Lai, H K; Martello, C; Chang, C Y

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1. Auger, Donnini and Nguyen Inc., Montreal, Quebec (Canada)
2. Circul-Aire/P.M. Wright, Montreal, Quebec (Canada)
3. Fonorola, Montreal, Quebec (Canada)
4. Concordia Univ., Montreal, Quebec (Canada). Centre for Building Studies

This paper presents the findings of ASHRAE research project RP-821, a field study of occupant comfort and office thermal environments in 12 mechanically ventilated office buildings in southern Quebec. A total of 877 subjects were surveyed during hot and cold months. Each interview provided a set of responses to a questionnaire and a set of physical indoor climatic measurements. The incremental effect of chairs was included in the estimates of clo values. The observed temperature optima were somewhat consistent with the predictions of comfort models and standards abased on mid-latitude climate chamber experimental data. The Montreal subjects` thermal sensation and acceptability ratings were much less accepting of non-neutral temperatures than either the PPD index or ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55 predicted. There was a consistent request for higher air velocity, indicating that air movement guidelines may be too restrictive as set out by ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55 and ISO 7730. Job satisfaction, general health status, and perceived levels of personal control were moderately correlated with overall generalized assessments of the workplace physical environment. Lighting levels and exposure to humidifiers outside the workplace had some relationship to specific environmental conditions occurring at the time of the interviews. There was little difference between the sexes in terms of thermal sensation, although there were significantly more frequent expressions of thermal dissatisfaction from the females in the sample, despite their thermal environment being no different from that of the males.

• OSTI ID: 349957
• Report Number(s): CONF-970668--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
HUMAN FACTORS
OFFICE BUILDINGS
PUBLIC OPINION
QUEBEC
THERMAL COMFORT