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Effect of Different Ventilation Types on Office Buildings

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AA SED Architectural Association School Of Architecture

Graduate School

MSc + MArch Sustainable Environmental Design 2014-15

Term 1 Research Paper

Effect of Different Ventilation Types on Occupant Behavior in Office

Buildings

TOLGA UZUNHASANOGLU

January 2015
 AUTHORSHIP DECLARATION FORM

AA SED ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION GRADUATE SCHOOL

PROGRAMME: MSc / MArch SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN 2014-15

SUBMISSION: RESEARCH PAPER 1

TITLE: EFFECT OF DIFFERENT VENTILATION TYPES ON OCCUPANT BEHAVIOR

IN OFFICE BUILDINGS

NUMBER OF WORDS: 3249

(excluding footnotes and references)

STUDENT NAME: TOLGA UZUNHASANOGLU

DECLARATION: “I certify that the contents of this document are entirely my own work and that
any quotation or paraphrase from the published or unpublished work of others
is duly acknowledged.”

SIGNATURE:

DATE: 16 January 2015

2
ABSTRACT

This paper is based on the different ventilation types and its effect on Occupant
behaviors. With a source of ASHRAE research papers, this one is collecting
the informations together to find the relationship between Natural Ventilation,
Mechanical Ventilation and Mixed Mode Ventilation in terms of Occupancy. In
an adaptive thermal comfort, each ventilation type has its own advantages and
disadvantages. That’s why to have the reference always for Occupant Be-
haviors would be the right approach. The paper researches about satisfaction
ratios for each ventilation type and depending on operable window controls.

Key Words: Natural Ventilation, Occupant Satisfaction, Thermal Comfort, Per-

sonal Control

3
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction 6

2. Ventilation Types in Office Buildings 7

2.1. Natural Ventilation 7

2.2. Air Conditioner 8

2.3. Mixed Mode 9

3. Thermal Comfort 10

4. Occupant Satisfaction 11

4.1. Natural Ventilation, Air Conditioner and Mixed Mode 12

4.2. Occupant Behaviour on Window Control 13

5. Conclusions 15

6. References 16

4
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all I would like to thank Mariam Kapsali for helping and support in every
part of this research paper. Her approach was really kind and at the moments
i was facing with problems, I knew she was going to find a solution to solve
them. This approach was really important for me and I believe it was one of the
important factors for this paper.

Secondly I would like to thank our visitor Lecturer Nick Baker for creating a
different point of view for ventilation systems in my mind due to his lectures.
I started to question more and criticize the environmental factors that we are
facing more after his lectures.

5
INTRODUCTION

Adaptation skills of humankind has always important effect for the building
environment topic. This can also depend on adaptive opportunities to make
themselves comfortable with the possibilities they have. This possibilities can
be due several factors like daylighting, ventilation, thermal acceptance or
air quality. Because of the problems that office buildings have mostly about
ventilation systems and its effect on occupant behaviour, this research paper
is based on Ventilation Systems. In office buildings in general there are three
types of ventilaiton system which are Natural Ventilation, Mechanical Ventila-
tion and Mixed Mode ventilation. With architectural and economic factors the
importance of envrionmental design has decreased during last decades of
years. One of the results of this attitude also showed itself due to ventilation.
In 1960’s while the importance of natural ventilation was higher than mechan-
ical ventilations, nowadays almost every office building has these mechanical
systems without concering any effect to its environment.
In this research Paper one of the first hypothesis was that the occupants
facing natural ventilation are much tolerated to wider temperatures and they
were more comfortable with the occupied space. As some researches are also
showing, there are some problems with the occupants and mechanical ventila-
tion systems due to lack of control or sick building syndrome.
The relation between these ventilation systems and occupant satisfaction val-
ues are making this research paper’s primary findings.

6
2. Ventilation Types in Office Buildings

One of the main adaptable opportunities in an office building is about ventila-

tion systems. The ventilation systems can be through cooling or to get some
fresh air due to occupant’s behaviours. However, this possibility has decreased
during past years with a modern approach to office buildings, architectural
society decided to use air conditioner systems instead of allowing natural venti-
lation through windows. Still both ventilation and cooling methods are under
effect of these systems. On the other hand, there are buildings with mixed
mode operation that allows occupants to control their window systems and at
the same time air conditioner. In general the ventilation types in office build-
ings can be collected with these three groups which are Natural Ventilated, Air
Conditioned and Mixed Mode Usage.

2.1 Natural Ventilation

With focusing on a dictionary meaning, it would be easier to explain ventila-
tion as the exchange of outside air in terms of to achieve better or acceptable
indoor air quality. Also, natural ventilation has a meaning of combining two
functionalities that are outdoor air exchange for cooling and ventilation also
considering the effect on occupants, occupied space and building mass. This
cooling and ventilation effects are in through operable windows in buildings as
shown in the Figure 2.2.

Advantages
As a behavioural conclusion for humankind, people are likely to change the
environment that they are inside or be able to change. That is why mainly
during summers people are mostly using their windows to benefit from fresh
air and gather a small amount of breeze through window that would affect their
thermal acceptance due to the comfort ratio. To have a natural ventilation also
means reducing the energy usage, gas emissions and operating costs over
mechanical ventilation or other ventilation systems which have a significant
economic effect. Apparently while determining the ventilation systems climatic
conditions are the primary input. In a climate that will be difficult to achieve
comfort temperatures during the summer just with natural ventilation, people
prefer mechanical ventilation, which is going to increase the cost of building Figure 2.1 Scheme For Natural Ventilation
expenses in a critic way. Source(Brager, Gail 2011)

Figure 2.2 Scheme For Natural Ventilation

Source(http:www.mognot.com)
7
In naturally ventilated buildings, thermal conditions are showing differences
than the air-conditioned building also with considering the prediction value due
to changeable environmental factors. However to allow occupants to have their
control over windows is the only way to let them interact with thermal condi-
tions in the occupied space.
Also ASHRAE Standard 55-2004 has concluded the research done in 160
buildings on different continents that occupants who have control over natural
ventilation due their thermal acceptance with considering their desires and
characteristics or window control, are tolerating wider range of temperatures
compared to the air conditioned buildings. This research has showed the effect
of adaptive opportunities on occupant behaviour and thermal acceptance in a
clear way. In naturally ventilated buildings adaptive opportunities are not just
limited to the opening of windows or not. As a personal control, clothing level
can be decided with considering the indoor environment. While pointing to the
indoor environment, indoor air quality is one of the most critic titles. Research
have mentioned that indoor air quality has much higher in naturally ventilat-
ed building than the air conditioned. About this research, one critic study has
found the ratio of sick building syndrome in the air conditioned building is
significantly greater than naturally ventilated building.

Relevant facts
Like all of the problems that every building element have, natural ventilation
has its limitations too. These points are mostly because of the climatic condi-
tions where natural ventilation cannot meet the expectations. While consider-
ing about the natural ventilation the main topics supposed to be focused on are
outside temperatures, humidity, and air velocity, air quality which depends on
the environment that can show variety due to density of area and also noise
level.

2.2 Mechanical Ventilation

In mechanical ventilation air, exchange is occurring with a help of mechanically
powered equipment, which are consuming electricity and cost. These kind of
equipment have also mechanically cooling function to arrange the temperature
of space. Mechanical ventilation and cooling can work together or individually.
Some of the buildings are just using mechanical ventilation instead of cooling
function. These systems are often controlling by a central operational mecha-
nism as shown in the Figure 2.3.

Figure 2.3 General Scheme For Mechanical Ventilation

Source(http://www.sustainable-plumbing.co.uk)
8
 Advantages
As stated before mechanical ventilations and cooling are working without con-
sidering the outside temperature, climatic conditions. This can provide flexi-
bility for the design of the buildings in the approach for most of the architects.
Architectural flexibility can also be counted as operational flexibility due to each
occupied space by considering the occupants. These systems can control air
movement, infiltration and allow for moisture management. Mechanically, like
natural ventilation, the aim is to increase indoor air quality or balance it due to
thermal comfort.

Relevant facts
Although mechanical ventilation systems are working to control the indoor
thermal conditions, usually they are criticized for being limited controlled. The
main reason for this is the lack of considering the relation between architecture
and ventilation. Planning involves spaces, occupancy and also occupant be-
haviours. When the control ratio is not well balanced for occupants and space,
this can bring discomfort and low efficient thermal control. Also in most of the
cases, people working in open space working areas do not have adjustments
over the ventilation systems. On the other hand, with changing the open space
into separated ones, maybe the personal control will increase, but system cost
and complexity will increase too.
Like natural ventilation, noise can be a problem for mechanical ventilation too,
but this time not because of the environment conditions, it is due to system
elements itself.

2.3 Mixed Mode

Mixed mode is a combination of natural ventilation and mechanical cooling as
shown in the Figure 2.4. Like totally natural ventilated building, in mixed mode
occupants can control their windows to get fresh air or change the internal
temperature.

One of the limitations of natural ventilation was due to extreme climate condi-
tions. That is why in mixed mode, whenever natural ventilation is not enough to
achieve the comfort band, mechanical systems are starting to operate. If these
two methods are going to be used in an efficient way, it can decrease cooling
loads and relatively the costs.

Figure 2.4 General Scheme For Mixed Mode Ventilation

Source(http://www.cbe.berkeley.edu/mixedmode/aboutmm.html)
9
 Advantages
While the mechanical systems are working, as stated in the previous chapter
they can perform in every climate conditions. To allow building to be able to
use natural ventilation for acceptable conditions can satisfy the occupants and
building management. Window opening can be manually or automatically set
due to particular program and schedule. This program can show a variety of
different climates.

Relevant facts
It will be clear to mention the first costs are going to be higher than other
systems. To have both operable windows and mechanical ventilation/cooling
will bring weight to the costs. However, these systems are likely to reduce the
operational costs, not the first cost.
Also, because if the system is occupant dependent, there can be some prob-
lems due to control. Occupants need to understand when or how mechanical
systems are working. If mechanical cooling and natural ventilation are operat-
ing at the same time, this will increase the loads and costs too. That is why one
of the argument is to have educated occupants in a particular building or to
prepare user guides.

3. Thermal Comfort

ASHRAE Standard 55
Main purpose of the Standard 55 is to understand the relation between ther-
mal comfort and indoor environment. The scale of the Standard is not building
dependent as shown in the Figure 2.5, it can be applied for every climatic
conditions.Therefore, it can be used for domestic and non-domestic buildings.
Because of the primary factor is occupancy, it can be also used for transporta-
tion vehicles.
Due to Standard 55, the acceptable comfort band supposed to be %80 for the
occupants who are under the same environmental conditions and space as
shown in the Figure 2.6. Dissatisfaction ratio can explain differences in re-
searches or definitions of local discomfort.

Figure 2.6 Proposed Adaptive Standart

Source(de Gear,Richard, 2002)

Figure 2.5 Locations of the Studied Buildings

Source(de Dear, Richard, 2002)
10
Thermal Comfort
Because of people’s adaptations, behaviours, cultural impacts or occupancy
patterns are different from each other; it would be difficult to assess a single
comfort definition. That is why a thermal comfort can depend to occupants who
are responding to their thermal environment. In general this sense defines the
heat exchange of the human body with its environment. Moreover, in this equa-
tion there are some factors that can affect this feeling. As mentioned before,
these elements can be collected in two groups that are thermal environment
and occupant dependent. For the environment, air temperature, radiant tem-
perature, humidity and the air speed can be counted, for occupancy, clothing
level and metabolic rate that can show the difference between each activity,
season or space.

PMV and PPD

PMV, in longer definition, Predicted Mean Vote is the result of occupant ques-
tionnaires based on ASHRAE thermal sensation scale to presume the quality
of the thermal environment. This sensation scale is from +3 to -3 which de-
fines hot to cold. After getting the results of PMV, PPD (Predicted Percentage
Dissatisfied) can be calculated too. The values being used while calculation
the PPD are +-2 and +-3, which tells the discomfort of the occupants as hot,
slightly hot or cold, slightly cold.

4. Occupant Satisfaction

To make a comparison between ventilation types in office buildings in terms

of occupant behaviour and satisfaction, this paper depends on Kano’s satis-
faction model. This model is suitable to understand the relation of occupants
and indoor environment quality for commercial buildings. In this model, indoor
environmental quality factors have divided into three groups. Basic, Bonus and
Proportional Factors. Basic factors can be explained by meeting the minimum
requirements. It is not covering the whole occupant satisfaction, but it can be
useful to understand the basic dissatisfaction. Therefore, instead of the pos-
itive results, Basic Factors are likely to negative performance. On the other
hand, Bonus factors depend on the positive outcomes which are complete
satisfaction.

Figure 2.7 Kano’s satisfaction Model

Source(Kim,Jungsoo 2012)

11
For Proportional Factor, it is the bridge between Basic and Bonus factors,
satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Proportional factor is mostly considering the
performance and related with satisfaction. This relation is linear. When the
performance is high, satisfaction level is also high. If the performance is low,
satisfaction is low too. As graphically, these factors can be seen in Figure 2.7

Referring the research that has been made for estimating the satisfaction
values by Kim Jungsoo, in the survey that is used, occupants are expected to
give votes from +3 to -3. The ones, who voted for +3 or +2, has been counted
as satisfied and occupants who chose -3 or -2 for dissatisfied. The ones for +1,
0 and -1, they are counted as a reference group. Thus, this three sub-groups
(satisfied, dissatisfied and reference) are making the 7-point scale satisfaction
table. Because of the psychological effect is not the same between making a
decision for +2 to +1 and +1 to 0, researchers wanted to simplify this equation
by sub-groups as shown in the Figure 2.8
Figure 2.7 Schematic Representation of Groups
4.1 Natural Ventilation, Air Conditioner and Mixed Mode Source(Kim,Jungsoo 2012)

The database, which has been used on previous research paper by Kim, are
from the Centre for Built Environment of the University of California, Berkeley.
In this paper that questionnaire has used as a reference to understand occu- Table 2.9 Subject samples by building
ventilation type and PEC
pant satisfaction levels due to different ventilation types. In that CBE survey, Source(Kim,Jungsoo 2012)
occupants are expected to make a choice between +3(very satisfied) and
-3(very dissatisfied). The study is covering office buildings mainly in USA, but
there are also buildings from different countries too. Table 2.8 shows the ques-
tions that have been asked in the survey. After receiving the results, dataset
has divided for their ventilation systems, Natural Ventilation (NV), the Air condi-
tioned (AC) and Mixed Mode (MM) as shown in the Table 2.9.

Figure 3.0 displays the mean satisfaction rating for different ventilation types.
For overall satisfaction, it is clear to state that occupants in natural ventilation
is higher than air-conditioned buildings. In the same figure, for the natural
ventilation there are more advantages like amount of light, noise level, sound
privacy, amount of space, visual privacy, ease of interaction. These elements
are also affecting the satisfaction values in a significant way.

Table 2.8 Survey Questions

Source(Kim,Jungsoo 2012)

Figure 3.0 Mean satisfaction Rating

Source(Kim,Jungsoo 2012)

12
 On the other hand, Figure 3.1 shows that in overall satisfaction in AC buildings,
thermal comfort is not as important as the other ventilation types. There is a
definite relation between unsatisfied thermal performance and overall dissatis-
faction that can be concluded as AC is getting realized while the comfort level
is decreasing. That also show the sensitivity between them.

In naturally ventilated buildings occupants, have control on their windows and

also for their personal factors which are mostly their clothing level as men-
tioned in this paper before. They would like to adjust themselves rather than
having a dissatisfaction. This can be explained by the significant importance
of adaptive opportunities. The study has also showed that people in naturally
ventilated buildings can tolerate a wider range of temperatures than the MM
and AC buildings. Also, their expectation level is adjusting with considering
these factors.

4.2 Occupant Behaviour on Window Control

One of the detailed researches has done about the relation between ventilation
systems and occupant satisfaction which is concluded by ASHRAE RP-884
also confirms that in naturally ventilated buildings people are accepting wider
range of temperatures than the occupants have HVAC systems in their build-
ings. On the other hand, ASHRAE RP-1161 has expressly looked at the oper-
able windows, local thermal conditions and its effect on occupant behaviour,
which is completely in the case of Natural Ventilation.

For this research, the selected building is Berkeley Civic Centre in San Fran-
cisco, which is an office building with nearly 230 employees that can be seen
in Figure 3.2. The department has designed as open plan except some private
rooms. Building has natural ventilation with an opportunity for cross ventilation
totally too.
The survey that they had included “basic demographics, personal workspace
characteristics, various personal environmental control opportunities, window
operation and satisfaction with various environmental attributes”. Brager, Gail
2004.

Figure 3.1 Impact on Overal Satisfaction

Source(Kim,Jungsoo 2012)

Figure 3.2 Berkeley Civic Center, west facade

Source(Brager, Gail, 2004)

13
 First of all, the questions about thermal sensation and air movement pref-
erence due to warm or cool season are showing a critic difference between
each other. As a result, it can be understood for occupants that they would
like to feel cooler in the warmer season with %41 more than warmer in cool
season with %14 ratio. That means people react warm weather more than cold
weather. Also, air movement table is approving about situation, and people
want more air changes during warm air. This can be explained by the range
of adaptive opportunities like clothing in a warm season. During cold weather,
while they can increase the clothing level without any significant limitations, in
Figure 3.4 Relationship of air and thermal warm weather this opportunity is limited.
Source(Brager, Gail, 2004)
In Figure 3.4, it shows the chart between thermal sensation and air movement
preference. It is clear to state that when occupants are feeling warmer, they
are expecting for more air movement. However for the cold or neutral tempera-
tures the overall is likely in the no change values.

The survey continues with grouping the occupants with their access ratios to
windows. The ones, who have direct control over windows, are called PC_HI,
and other occupants, who do not have control or have limited control, are
called PC_LO. Table 3.6 represents that in the warmer season the difference
between PC_HI and PC_LO is not high due to thermal sensation. However
for the cool season the difference is significant especially for the Top and Va
values.

The outcomes from the neutral temperatures as shown in Table 3.7, and it is
clearly pointing the difference between PC_HI and PC_LO due to seasons. In
the warm season occupants who have more control over windows are comfort-
able at higher temperatures than other occupants. Figure 3.3 also approves
this thesis. In a warm season occupants who have low control are expecting
cooler temperatures, on the other hand, warmer in the cool season. This is the
primary finding of the effect of satisfaction levels.
Figure 3.3 Average Thermal Preference
Source(Brager, Gail, 2004)

Table 3.6 Mean Values for comfort Parameters

Source(Brager, Gail, 2004)

Table 3.7 Thermal Neutralities

Source(Brager, Gail, 2004)

14
5. Conclusions

After all of the researches that has been made with questionnaires and calcu-
lations about the difference between ventilation systems, it won’t be really diffi-
cult to mention about the positive performance of natural ventilation over other
ventilation types. Basically as stated before, people having natural ventilation
opportunity is likely to adapt themselves better than the other occupants facing
mechanical ventilation. And this fact is the one the critic points for environmen-
tal design.

When the first cost and operational cost would be carefully determined about
the building, mechanical system can bring a high amount of weight on it. With
a good architectural design with concerning the occupancy, climatic conditions
and design of the occupied space, the researches are showing that people
can tolerate wider temperatures. This can help to decrease annual heating and
cooling loads in a significant way.

15
6. REFERENCES

(1) Brager, G. S.; & de Dear, R.(2001). Climate, comfort, & natural ventila-
tion: a new adaptive comfort standard for ASHRAE standard 55. Center for the
Built Environment. UC Berkeley: Center for the Built Environment.
(2) Brager, Gail; Paliaga, Gwelen; & de Dear, Richard. (2004). Operable
windows, personal control and occupant comfort.. Center for the Built Environ-
ment. UC Berkeley: Center for the Built Environment.
(3) Brager, Gail; Alspach, Peter; & Nall, Daniel H.(2011). Natural vs. me-
chanical ventilation and cooling.. Center for the Built Environment. UC Berke-
ley: Center for the Built Environment.
(4) Brager, Gail S.; Ring, Erik; & Powell, Kevin. (2000). Mixed-mode venti-
lation: Hvac meets Mother Nature. Center for Environmental Design Research.
UC Berkeley: Center for the Built Environment.
(5) Brager, Gail; & Ackerly, Katie. (2010). Mixed-Mode Ventilation and
Building Retrofits. UC Berkeley: Center for the Built Environment.
(6) Brager, Gail; & Baker, Lindsay. (2008). Occupant satisfaction in mixed-
mode buildings.. Center for the Built Environment. UC Berkeley: Center for the
Built Environment.
(7) Borgeson, Sam; & Brager, Gail. (2008). Occupant Control of Windows:
Accounting for Human Behavior in Building Simulation. UC Berkeley: Center
for the Built Environment.
(8) De Dear, Richard; & Brager, Gail. (2002). Thermal comfort in naturally
ventilated buildings: revisions to ASHRAE Standard 55 . UC Berkeley: Center
for the Built Environment.
(9) Kim, Jungsoo; & de Dear, Richard. (2012). Impact of different building
ventilation modes on occupant expectations of the main IEQ factors. Building
and Environment, 57(2012), 184 - 193. UC Berkeley: Center for the Built Envi-
ronment.
(10) Olesen, B. W.; & Brager, G. S.(2004). A better way to predict comfort:
the new ASHRAE standard 55-2004. Center for the Built Environment. UC
Berkeley: Center for the Built Environment
(11) Seppanen, O.; & Fisk, W.J.(2002). Relationship of SBS-symptoms and
ventilation system type in office buildings. Lawrence Berkeley National Labo-
ratory. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory.
(12) Seppanen, Olli; & Fisk, William J.(2001). Association of ventilation
system type with SBS symptoms in office workers. Lawrence Berkeley Na-
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National Laboratory.

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