ESTABLISHING THERMAL COMFORT

Thermal comfort is a necessary feature when considering the functional adequacy of any
building space and the sustainability of the built environment. In whatever location, buildings are
meant to provide the requisite thermal environment indoors so that human activities may be
carried out conveniently.

ESTABLISHING THERMAL COMFORT IN BUILDING DESIGN

In order to establish the thermal comfort in this building, we have to identify the parameters or
characteristics that may affect thermal comfort. First, the optimal design of the building envelop
fabric provide significant reductions in heating and cooling loads-which in turn allowing
downsizing of mechanical equipment. Use materials that have the capacity to storage thermal
energy for extended periods. Absorb daytime heat gains (reducing cooling load) and release heat
during night (reduce heat load). Lower the initial temperature than the surrounding air (act as
heat sink). It is beneficial from country which had a big difference between day and night
outdoor temperatures.

Parameters influencing thermal comfort

A review of relevant literature showed that interactions between thermal comfort and several
parameters can be assumed. These parameters can be divided into three groups that are
architectural parameters and parameters concerning the heating and ventilation system,
psychosocial parameters, and perception of other indoor climate parameters

1. Architectural parameters and parameters concerning the heating and ventilation

system.
The following architectural parameters and parameters concerning the heating and
ventilation system show a strong connection with thermal comfort:
Type of ventilation (natural or mechanical)
Type of air-conditioning system (natural ventilation, partial air-conditioning,
full air-conditioning)
Type of heating and cooling system
 Position of air supply and extract
Humidification of supply air
Percentage of glazed area of the facade
Solar gain value of the facade
Type of windows (sealed, open-able)
Construction type (low medium thermal storage properties)
Perceived control over indoor environment

2. Psychosocial parameters
The relation between and thermal comfort and the following psychosocial parameters was
investigated:
Sex
Age
Education
Sick building syndrome case
Hyper-sensation to warmth or cold
Job satisfaction
Life satisfaction
Work-related strain
General strain

3. Perception of other indoor climate parameters

The questionnaire used in the ProKlimA-Study contains a module which asks for the
perception of indoor climate parameters. It includes ratings of 15 indoor climate parameters
including thermal sensation and thermal comfort. The contingency analysis showed strong
relations between some of the variables. For further analysis the 13 variables (excluding
thermal sensation and comfort) were reduced to 6 new factors using factor analysis.
The following condensed factors were developed:
 Acoustical quality:
o Noise or quiet, many or few distracting noises, low or high sound absorption

Olfactory quality:
o Unpleasant or pleasant odors, pleasant-smelling or foul-smelling, high or low
olfactory load
Lighting conditions:
o Good or bad illumination, light or dark
Condition of air:
o Dry or humid air, fresh or stale air
Draught / variability of temperature:
o Varying or stable temperature, weak or strong air movement
Glare:
o Glaring or non-glaring light

Factors to be considered when determining the appropriate insulation solution:

1. Effect on building design- impact of external wall thickness on layouts, net

2. Sources of heat gain in buildings floor area and light penetration through window

3. Balance between heavyweight and lightweight construction, including considerations

related to exposed thermal mass.

4. Performance in use and longevity.

5. Buildability and the risk of on-site work not meeting the required design standards.

6. Sustainability implications of the production process including sourcing of raw materials,

ozone depletion, embodied energy and eventual disposal.
NON-DESIGN FACTORS AFFECTING ENERGY USE IN BUILDINGS

Occupancy and management - Intensity of building occupancy

- Activity type
- User attitude and behavior
- Management and organization

Environmental standards - The amount of air conditioning load

- Comfort level

Climate - Solar radiation

- Outside air temperature
- Wind and rain
- Night sky radiation

PASSIVE DESIGN FACTORS AFFECTING ENERGY USE IN BUILDINGS

Building orientation - Solar radiation

- Ventilation

Planning and layout - Grouping of spaces

- Interaction of spaces
- Ceiling height and space volume

Thermo physical properties - Thermal resistance

- Surface convective coefficient
- Absorptivity, reflectivity, emissivity
- Heat capacity
Window systems - Type and design of shading system employed
- Composition and type of glass
- Obstruction and shading by surrounding building trees

Construction detailing - Infiltration

- Conduction bridges

Thermal Mass
Materials that have the capacity to storage thermal energy for extended periods.
Absorb daytime heat gains to reduce cooling load and release heat during night to reduce
heat load.
Lower initial temperature than the surrounding air which act as heat sink.
Beneficial for country which had a big different between day and night outdoor
temperature for example, UAE.

Thermal Conductivity ( value or k value) and Resistivity (r)

The measure of the rate at which heat is conducted through a particular material under
specified conditions
Property of a material that indicates its ability to conduct heat.
Measured as the heat flow in watts across a thickness of 1 m of material for a temperature
difference of 1 degree K and a surface area of 1 m
Unit : W/m K , = thermal conductivity (W/moC, Btu in/hr ft2 oF)
Thermal resistivity (r)= 1/ m.K/W
r = thermal resistivity (moC/W, hr ft2 oF/Btu)
MECHANISM OF REGULATING THERMAL COMFORT

Here are some of the mechanisms that have been implemented in the building in terms of
obtaining the most adequate thermal comfort for the users. By implementing these mechanisms,
users comfort level can be assured as well as providing them a comfortable workplace to work
in. A comfortable and conducive workplace will let them to focus more on their tasks and make
them more productive. The mechanisms are as follows :

Roof : From our observation, the height of roof from the floor is huge. This can ensure
the high quantity of oxygen filling up the space compared to a low roof.
Insulation serves to limit the conduction of heat through the building shell.

Infiltration : For our building, exhaust is used to channel out the inner air and air conditioning
to channel fresh and cool air into the inner building. To maintain comfort, outer
air has to be cooled or heated when enters a building. The more unconditioned air
entering the building, the greater the load on the heating and cooling system and
the greater the cost.
Orientation : Long, narrow buildings facing south with their long axis running east/west will
have lower peak cooling loads and electricity demand costs, and may be able to
utilize smaller cooling equipment. From our observation, each wing in FKEE
building was built in a narrow, straight and long orientation. A straight orientation
will reduce the cost in wiring because the wiring can be installed in a straight and
simple arrangement compared to a more complex building. The maintenance of
wiring and piping can also be carried out easily.
Space : From our observation, all laboratories are spacious which will ensure a
comfortable environment for the users to carry out their projects or experiments.
The equipment in the laboratory is well-arranged and neat to avoid unexpected
accidents as well as provide a comfortable area.
Windows : Tinted windows provide excellent thermal insulation against extreme weather
and can effectively reduce solar heat gain as well. Window tints are efficient in
reducing solar gain but can also reduce the visual connection with the outdoors.
External window screens are excellent solar control devices for single- or two-
story facilities, and architectural features such as awnings and overhangs allow
year-round solar control without minimizing visual quality. Here, we can see that
the curtains are used to cover the windows to prevent direct penetration of
sunlight.

Landscaping : Well-designed landscaping can reduce cooling costs from summer heat gains in
building. Trees planted on the east, west and south sides of a one-or two-story
building can effectively reduce summer solar heat gains through windows. Here,
in this FKEE complex, trees and grass were planted around this building. Trees
and grass are also produce a natural cooling effect in the areas surrounding a
building by evaporating water though their leaves.
Reference
R.T. Hellwig, S. Brasche, W. Bischof, Thermal Comfort in Offices Natural
Ventilation vs. Air Conditioning, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Dept. Indoor
Climatology, Bachstr. 18, 07743, Jena, Germany,
K. Fabbri , Indoor Thermal Comfort Perception, Springer International Publishing
Switzerland (2015)
Adewale Oluseyi Adunola, Evaluation of Thermal Comfort in a Warm-Humid
Nigerian City Using a Thermal Index, Department of Architecture, Obafemi
Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria (2015)
Jos A. Orosa, Research on the Origins of Thermal Comfort, Department of
Energy and Marine Propulsion , University of A Corua Paseo de Ronda 51, A
Corua, Spain. European Journal of Scientific Research ISSN 1450-216X Vol.34
No.4 (2009), pp.561-567