A weekly journal on architecture, anthropology and radiant based heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The role of indoor environmental ergonomics, industrial design, HVAC as a health care issue and other human factors in the design of indoor spaces.
We are proud to introduce the Comfable, a new kind of smart suggestion technology application. Comfable is ideal for everybody who wants to know real time personalized “Feels Like” temperature for planning what to wear and where and when to go. It has six plugins (Wear, Where, When, Sun, Energy and Plant) to answer your common daily questions.
RBc: I really like what these Prof's are doing...it succinctly
points out that there are many parameters to thermal comfort beyond the HVAC industries
fixation on using air temperature as a sole proxy to what people feel.
It was serendipitous that my keynote at the Pathways 2 Sustainability
Conference was in the Telus Spark Science Center. The HVAC system was designed
by the Calgary office of Dialog who have described the IEQ systems as;
“Along with lots of natural Calgary light and smart water
use, the building design brings fresh air to every room. Rather than a typical,
forced-air ventilation and cooling system, the building incorporates
displacement ventilation and radiant panels to distribute fresh air and highly
effective heating and cooling for visitor comfort. The atrium and extensive
lobby areas are heated and cooled with a radiant chilled/heated slab system for
a non-intrusive but highly effective conditioning system. Underseat
displacement ventilation is provided in the 250-person IMAX theatre for optimum
thermal comfort and ventilation effectiveness.”
Interestingly, the HVAC zone for the exhibit hall (converted
into the P2S2013 conference space) was tested beyond its functional capacity as over
250 delegates filled a space likely designed for less. (hopefully someone from
Dialog will show up and correct my assumption). Despite the load, the thermal comfort was well beyond
most conference halls that I have visited (and there have been hundreds). The
air quality not so much. As the occupant load increased it was necessary to
open the adjoining doors connecting a large open hallway to the conference room
and that one simple solution seemed to do the trick for most of the attendees.
The point being - despite a heavy occupant load during three days
of rain the radiant cooling panels never once condensed as the air system was
capable of maintaining a lean air mixture.
I really like how the Architectural/Interior Designers and
Mechanical Engineers incorporated the ventilation columns into the space – very
nice.
Brad Struble Telus Spark representative and director of
design gave us the tour and did a great job explaining the project as well as
helping adapt the space to the conference and for the adaptive measures to help
maintain the indoor environmental quality.
You can learn more about the project including the radiant
based HVAC system from this video (can view in Google Chrome).
Excerpt: “This is the third booklet in our PLEA Notes
series. Each of these Notes is intended to deal with one particular and narrow
aspect of design, of a technical /scientific nature. These Notes serve a dual
purpose: to be a learning tool, introducing the subject and discussing it in mainly
qualitative terms, but also to be a design tool, to provide quantitative data
and methods for the consideration of the particular subject matter in design.
An implicit aim is also to create an authoritative reference work, which would provide
a concise but comprehensive summary of the state of the art of the subject.
In this Note 3 the undergraduate student will find part 1,
then sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 of part 2 as well as part 3 of particular
interest. The practising designer (using the above sections as introduction)
will - we hope - find part 4 most useful. The research student, or anyone
interested in the whys and wherefores will find part 2 as a unique reference
source.
References for the comfort index data sheets are given in
footnote form, similarly in places where they refer to that page only. General
references are listed in alphabetical order on pages 62 – 63.
We hope that this Note will contribute in some small way to
the creation of better buildings, healthier indoor environments and energy
conservation, thus serve the broad aims of PLEA and a sustainable future.”
Citation: Auliciems, A., Szokolay, S.V. (2007) Thermal Comfort, Design
Tools and Techniques. PLEA Note 3(2nd Ed.), Passive and Low Energy
Architecture International. < http://plea-arch.org/?page_id=125>
accessed April 30th, 2013
Excerpt: “Europeans spend most of their time in indoor
environments and poor indoor air quality is responsible for 2 million
disability adjusted life years (DALYs) lost in European Union (EU) every
year.
The European Year of Air 2013 and the expected revision of the
ambient air legislation mark an appropriate moment to stress the importance of
indoor air quality (IAQ) and place it in the heart of the energy efficiency
strategy. The HealthVent project on the Health-Based Ventilation
Guidelines for Europe was launched in 2010 under the Programme of Community
Action in the Field of Health 2008-2013 with the objective of developing
guidelines for health-based ventilation for non-industrial buildings in Europe
taking into consideration energy efficiency requirements. To present project
results, an event was organised at the European Parliament in Brussels on
February 20th, 2013. The event was hosted by Mrs Catherine Stihler, Member of
the European Parliament (MEP), and was coordinated by EFA’s EU Policy Officer,
Ms Roberta Savli, a partner in HealthVent project along with active
contributions from the other members of the HealthVent consortium.”
Source:HealthVent and IAQ under the Second Programme of Community Action
in the Field of Health, HealthVent,
The authors review what we know and don’t know about how
thermal comfort and indoor air quality affect performance. The article is
written in the form of answers to 40 frequently asked questions. The authors,
also widely respected, offer opinions based on what the research shows.
Excerpt: “As experienced researchers in the effects of
thermal comfort and indoor air quality on performance, we are often asked to
give our best estimate of how, and to what extent, performance is affected by different
aspects of indoor climate. This article provides a brief summary of our
personal opinions, in the form of answers to 40 frequently asked questions. Our
answers are based on the results of behavioral experiments conducted to date.
We offer no opinions on long-term health effects of indoor environmental
quality. We provide some references to relevant sources, but there is not
enough space for all such references. We list some questions we cannot answer
as topics for future research in this area.”
Excerpt: "Housing investment which improves thermal comfort in the
home can lead to health improvements, especially where the improvements are
targeted at those with inadequate warmth and those with chronic respiratory
disease.
Improvements in warmth and affordable warmth may be an
important reason for improved health. Improved health may also lead to reduced
absences from school or work. Improvements in energy efficiency and provision
of affordable warmth may allow householders to heat more rooms in the house and
increase the amount of usable space in the home. Greater usable living space
may lead to more use of the home, allow increased levels of privacy, and help
with relationships within the home. An overview of the best available research evidence
suggests that housing which promotes good health needs to be an appropriate
size to meet household needs, and be affordable to maintain a comfortable
indoor temperature."
Catch our discussion on indoor
environmental quality and HVAC systems with Sam and Cheryll & the Rock
House team - the Überesses of interior design on their nationally broadcasted “At Home” radio program.
These two professionals know what they are doing when it
comes to housing and design. I had a lot of fun doing the interview - it really
was for the discerning client building new or renovating. I know you will get
something useful for your "wish list" from the program...I know I
always learn something new when
listening to these two dynamic ladies.
On earth and in space, buildings and their related
infrastructure must operate in an environment with constrained resources (both financial
and physical). Recognizing these common issues, the National Institute of
Building Sciences, the Total Learning Research Institute (TLRI) and the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) look to engage and inspire
K-12 students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
activities related to the building sciences. The Institute will lead
development of a joint Institute/TLRI/NASA program to create and inspire
interest in careers within the built environment and leverage STEM K-12
challenge curriculum and utilize educational resources developed by NASA along
with technical assistance from the Human Exploration and Operations Mission
Directorate, the Chief Technologist, the Science Mission Directorate and
others.
Excerpt: “Integrated health, on the other hand, represents an
approach to individual and population health which respects and includes all areas,
such as the physical and social environment, education, agriculture and
architecture. I know that this is a somewhat wider definition of integration
than commonly used, but I want to argue that a successful health service needs
to embrace this broader and more complex concept of integration.”
18 Dec, 2012 10:37 CET Indoor environments that are too hot, too cold or draughty
create discomfort and lower human productivity. MSc (Tech) Riikka Holopainen
from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, has written a doctoral thesis on
a new method for estimating the actual level of human thermal comfort in
low-energy buildings. The method is also the first of its kind to be integrated
with a building simulation tool. Factoring in the different ways in which
buildings are used and the different kinds of people using them at the design
stage can help to improve energy efficiency and human comfort.
Energy-efficient passive and zero-energy buildings require
considerably less heating than traditional buildings. Traditional HVAC
solutions are therefore no longer suitable for designing indoor environments
for low-energy buildings.
The Human Thermal Model (HTM) is a new technique developed
by Senior Scientist Riikka Holopainen from VTT in her doctoral thesis, which
can be used to design and create optimal indoor environments for low-energy
buildings. One of the novelties of the method is the fact that it allows
scientists to measure how different solutions are likely to affect human
thermal comfort and the energy efficiency of buildings at the design stage.
The model is based on the physiological thermal control
system of the human body, and it can be used to calculate the actual level of
human thermal comfort in both steady-state and transient thermal environments.
The thesis introduces the first ever mathematical application that integrates a
building simulation tool with human thermal sensation. The model also produces
information about previously complex comparisons, such as the effects of
different structural solutions and HVAC systems on human thermal sensation.
Earlier models for measuring the comfort of indoor
environments have not taken account of the human body’s own thermal control
system. These methods are also insufficient for designing passive and
zero-energy buildings. Models based on laboratory measurements, for example,
overestimate the heat perceived by humans in warm conditions and underestimate
it in cool conditions. They also factor in clothing as a hermetically sealed
unit similar to a diving suit.
Both internal and external factors affect human thermal
sensation. Internal factors include personal characteristics, anatomy, activity
level, whether work is physical, and clothing. External factors include room
temperature, which covers air and surface temperature, as well as air velocity
and relative humidity. Holopainen has demonstrated that the most important
factors contributing to thermal sensation and comfort are air and surface
temperature, activity level and clothing.
Ensuring building
optimisation and human comfort at the design stage
Indoor environments that are too hot, too cold or draughty
create discomfort and lower human productivity. Bed-bound patients in
hospitals, for example, spend a great deal of time lying still and therefore
need a sufficiently warm indoor environment and bedclothes. Checkout operators
in shops, on the other hand, may have to sit in heat in summer and in cold and
draughts in winter. Factoring in the different ways in which buildings are used
and the different kinds of people using them at the design stage can help to
optimise indoor environments and improve human comfort. Employees can also be
given clothing advice.
The Human Thermal Model is suitable for both new builds and
renovations. Engineering firms and the construction industry can now develop
their products to better meet the needs of different buildings and users.
In the future, the HTM and building automation systems will
work together to automatically regulate ventilation, heating and cooling
according to actual needs, incorporating human thermal comfort as an integral
aspect of workplace productivity enhancement.
Source: Holopainen, R., A human thermal model for improved
thermal comfort, Doctor of Science in Technology Thesis, Aalto University, VTT,
December 2012
Creating a free online tool for evaluating comfort according
to ASHRAE Standard-55.
The Center for the Built Environment have developed a
web-based graphical user interface for thermal comfort prediction according to
ASHRAE Standard-55. It includes models for conventional building systems
(predicted mean vote) and also for comfort using the adaptive comfort model,
and with increased air speeds (for example, when using fans for cooling). It
also provides new features such as visualization of comfort boundaries within
the psychrometric chart.
The tool works in Firefox, Chrome and Safari. Internet
Explorer is not supported
Hoyt Tyler, Schiavon Stefano, Moon Dustin, and Steinfeld
Kyle, 2012, CBE Thermal Comfort Tool for ASHRAE-55. Center for the Built
Environment, University of California Berkeley, http://cbe.berkeley.edu/comforttool
As our long time readers know, we feel strongly that HVAC trade
schools along with architectural and engineering programs should teach the
basics in human anatomy and physiology; for those parts related to the indoor
environment.
It just makes so much sense that those in industry responsible for indoor spaces should be able to explain how the indoor climate affects the
body or how the body responds to the indoor climate.
Doesn't it make sense to you as well?
How long would it take to explain the fundamentals?
Two hours.
We know you don't have two hours to spare online so we’ve uploaded a sample on thermal comfort that we teach in our integrated
design program at the following link:
Excerpt from one conference report: “Occupants were generally
satisfied with their new houses, but were most dissatisfied with the thermal
conditions. A majority (68%) specified that they experienced too warm during
summer. This was the most prevalent complaint, and in agreement with physical
measurements. During winter the occupants were also most dissatisfied with
thermal conditions as 27% of respondents experienced too cold, and 25% found
that the temperature varied too much. Additionally, there were a series of
problems with the technical installations and their use was difficult. The
energy use was higher than expected.”
If you haven’t had a chance to read the study, it concluded with a series of recommendations to increase occupant satisfaction in low energy houses:
• Avoid uncomfortably high temperatures during summer with external solar shading, consider the size of the windows facing towards the sun and make effective use of natural ventilation possible.
• Develop more robust and easy-to use technical installations enabling occupants to control the indoor climate and energy consumption as intended in their new relatively technically advanced house, e.g. by a single user-friendly user interface that can communicate with all relevant technical installations.
Established in 2004, The Journal of Indoor Environmental Quality (JIEQ) in conjunction with Healthy Heating serves as a technical interpreter and consolidator of academic research demonstrating the building and health sciences are inclusive elements. It provides professional development programs based on its analysis to application professionals such as architects, engineers, interior designers and related technicians.
“The quality of housing conditions plays a decisive role in the health status of the residents, because many health problems are either directly or indirectly related to the building itself, the construction materials that were used, and the equipment or the size or structure of the individual dwellings.”
The World Health Organization
"Indoor environmental quality is in part a result of materials and methods of construction which has an influence on occupant health. For this reason, policies around health and construction cannot be treated separately and must be linked together." Source: Bean, R., IAQ Webinar Presentation, 2009
The HVAC system consumes 50-60% of the building energy cost and generates 80-85% of tenant complaints.
Source: U.S. General Services Administration, Public Buildings Service, Office of the Chief Architect
Good Design
“Industrial designers determine the form and interaction qualities of manufactured products...They study people at work, at home and in motion to create satisfying experiences with products from the kitchen and the office to the hospital and the warehouse…” Excerpt from the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA).
In our opinion, industrial design has been overlooked by the HVAC industry – illustrated by consumers facing difficulties selling homes with HVAC systems which have “beast in the boiler room.”
Be reminded by S. Claire Conroy from Residential Architecture, "It's time architects of every discipline understand residential architecture for what it really is: everyone's most intimate connection with architecture. It's not simply a “test bed”—it's a vessel for our lives on their most personal level. That makes the stakes very high indeed. No one is more discriminating and demanding than a residential client.”
"A lot of it has to do with how we are responding at a physiological level to what we see as we walk in through the door." Sarah Susanka, Architect
“Industrial designers determine the form and interaction qualities of manufactured products...They study people at work, at home and in motion to create satisfying experiences with products from the kitchen and the office to the hospital and the warehouse…” Excerpt from the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA).
"In any industry, one of the most important and difficult tasks is to explain a nuanced process to someone unfamiliar with the field. At its grass roots, design is a process like many others; it has theories, strategies and examples that can be explained on a general level. It’s not a matter of what type of information is given, but rather how it is presented and to what type of audience."
Speaking Design to Non-Designers, IDSA
