V.S, 2008). In different climate, range of thermal comfort is varied.

In winter season, heating

is required while in summer, cooling is required for thermal comfort. There are many
active heating and cooling system operates in worldwide. Use of these devices directly affect the
climate.

4.2. Bioclimatic chart

Olgyay’s bioclimatic chart

Olgyay’s bioclimatic chart is based on the outdoor climate factors considering humidity
versus temperature. Monthly data of minimum and maximum relative humidity and
temperature are plotted on to the chart for each month. If the plotted line falls within the com-
fort zone, conditions are comfortable in the shade and in still air. If the line falls partly or totally
outside of the comfort zone, corrective measures are necessary such as the use of solar
radiation, air movement or evaporative cooling. Olgyay’s bioclimatic chart, developed in the
1950’s, was one of the early attempts to specify different zones at different combinations of
relative humidity (as abscissa) and dry bulb temperatures (as ordinate). Oglyay’s chart has a
constant comfort in the range from 20 to 30 °C. The level of comfort is applicable to indoor
spaces with the indoor level of clothing. The comfort zone is shown at the centre of Olgyay’s
chart. The chart takes into consideration levels of comfort that can be felt outside the comfort
zone but in combination with ranges of other climatic factors such as mean radiant temperature,
wind speed and solar radiation. Above the lower boundary of the zone shading is necessary to
maintain reasonable level of comfort. Up to 10 °C below the comfort zone, comfort can be
retained provided that there is enough solar radiation to offset the decrease in

Figure 1. Olgyay’s Bioclimatic Chart [19