THERMAL COMFORT

DEFINITION

• The range of climatic conditions considered

comfortable and acceptable inside buildings
• Absence of any sensation of thermal (heat or
cold) discomfort
• The thermal sensation is often graded along a
seven-point numerical scale:

1 Cold 5 Slightly warm

2 Cool 6 Warm
3 Slightly cool 7 Hot
4 Neutral (comfortable)
Ref: Givoni, B. (1998) Climate considerations in building and urban design. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York.
 DEFINITION

• There are two distinct and independent sources of

heat discomfort:
a) thermal sensation of heat
b) discomfort resulting from skin wetness
Ref: Givoni, B. (1998) Climate considerations in building and urban design. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York.
 CLIMATE

• Macroclimate data
- provided by standard meteorological
stations.
- describes the general character of a
region in terms of sunshine, cloud,
temperature, wind, humidity and
precipitation.
 MACROCLIMATE

The sun

•Altitude depends on sun path / time

•Azimuth depends on location on hemisphere /
time of day
 MACROCLIMATE

There are four types:

1. Cool region (North America)
2. Temperate region (4 seasons-Europe)
3. Hot and arid region (Arab countries,
Phoenix)
4. Hot and humid region (Malaysia,
Indonesia)
 MESOCLIMATE

• Mesoclimate
- Influenced by local conditions such as:
-topography
-vegetation
-nature of the area and its environs
 MESOCLIMATE

Types of Mesoclimate
1. Coastal regions
2. Flat open country
 MESOCLIMATE
Types of Mesoclimate
3. Woodlands
 MESOCLIMATE

Types of Mesoclimate
4. Valleys
 MESOCLIMATE

Types of Mesoclimate
5. Cities
 MESOCLIMATE
Types of Mesoclimate
6. Mountain regions
 MICROCLIMATE

• Microclimate
-at the scale of the site
-man’s intervention can modify the
environment close to buildings
 MICROCLIMATE
• Solar radiation
-The amount of solar radiation received at a site
is dependent on local planting of vegetation and
the shape and position of nearby building
• Humidity
-The humidity of the air at site is modified by the
presence of water and vegetation
• Wind
-Local wind conditions can be modified by the
presence of vegetation, buildings and built
screens
 UNDERSTANDING THERMAL COMFORT IN
BUILT ENVIRONMENT

1. Comfort - human habitation effected

2. Site influence- changes architectural
context
3. Building design- influences
architectural design approach
FACTORS THAT AFFECT OCCUPANTS
THERMAL COMFORT

1. TEMPERATURE
2. RELATIVE HUMIDITY
3. SURFACE TEMPERATURE (MEAN
RADIANT TEMPERATURE)
4. AIR MOVEMENT
5. CLOTHING
6. METABOLISM RATE
FACTORS THAT AFFECT OCCUPANTS
THERMAL COMFORT
 REFERENCES

1. Givoni, B. (1998) Climate considerations in

building and urban design. John Wiley & Sons,
Inc. New York.
2. Goulding, J.R., Lewis, J.O. & Steemers, T.C.
(1993) Energy conscious design- a primer for
architects. B.T. Batsford Ltd. London.
3. Olgyay, V (1992) Design with climate-
bioclimatic approach to architectural
regionalism. Van Nostrand Reinhold. New
York.