Air movement and thermal comfort in tropical schools

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

OSTI ID:361841

Kwok, A G ^[1]

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1. Univ. of California, Berkeley, CA (United States). Dept. of Architecture

Comfort standards (ASHRAE 55, ISO 7730) specify exact physical criteria for producing acceptable thermal environments, which include temperature, air movement, and humidity limits that are often difficult to comply with, particularly in hot and humid tropical climates such as Hawaii`s. Are these temperate climate, air-conditioning based standards appropriate to situations in tropical climates? During two seasons, thermal comfort experiments conducted in Hawaii in both naturally-ventilated and air-conditioned classrooms polled responses from 3,544 students and teachers, while they simultaneously measured indoor climate variables. Results indicated that more than 75% of the classrooms were not within comfort zone prescriptions. Air-conditioned classrooms were overcooled, causing half of the occupants to experience cool thermal sensations. Although many naturally-ventilated classrooms were 3--4 C warmer than comfort zone requirements, occupants found conditions acceptable. Occupants generally preferred more air movement, even though measured air velocities met the Standard`s criteria. Comfort responses are discussed in terms of comparisons to ASHRAE Standard 55-92.

• OSTI ID: 361841
• Report Number(s): CONF-970441--; ISBN 0-89553-212-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
AIR CONDITIONING
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
HAWAII
THERMAL COMFORT
TROPICAL REGIONS
VENTILATION