Classification of thermal environments for comfort assessment

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Building Science
• Occupational Health

Background:

• ISO 7730:2005 mandates classification for thermal comfort assessment, but lacks a method for selecting appropriate criteria.
• Current standards do not adequately address varying thermal sensitivities or specific task requirements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel classification scheme for reliable thermal comfort assessment in any environment.
• To provide a method for selecting appropriate thermal comfort criteria based on key factors.
• To enable modulated comfort levels for diverse social groups and simultaneous assessment for multiple individuals.

Main Methods:

• Development of a classification scheme based on a weighted product algorithm.
• Inclusion of factors: subject's thermal sensitivity, task accuracy requirements, and thermal control practicality.
• Modular structure allowing for future adaptations and additions.

Main Results:

• The proposed scheme enables reliable thermal comfort assessment across various settings.
• It allows for differentiated comfort levels, prioritizing vulnerable groups like children and the elderly.
• The model facilitates simultaneous comfort assessment for individuals with different tasks in shared spaces.

Conclusions:

• The classification scheme effectively addresses the limitations of existing standards for thermal comfort assessment.
• It offers a flexible and adaptable tool for creating more inclusive and personalized thermal environments.
• The model enhances the ability to manage thermal comfort priorities in complex environments.