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Thermal comfort in commercial buildings

An article published by Consulting Specifying Engineer focuses on the factors to consider when providing thermal comfort in commercial buildings.
In an article published by the website Consulting Specifying Engineer, Jim Aswegan, chief engineer for the Titus company, discusses a few facts about thermal comfort, as per ASHRAE Standard 55-2013: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy and ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2016: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality1.

The article has 3 main objectives for readers:
  • Understand how to achieve thermal comfort in commercial buildings while meeting industry codes and standards.
  • Address factors to consider when creating conditions for occupant comfort.
  • Learn about the common methods of air distribution that address thermal comfort factors.
The author also underlines the different criteria to consider when talking about thermal comfort, according to ASHRAE Standard 55:
  • Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Clothing insulation
  • Air velocity
  • Activity level of the occupants
The article also describes the three common methods of air distribution use in commercial buildings:
  • Partially mixed (most underfloor air distribution systems).
  • Fully mixed (overhead distribution).
  • Fully stratified (displacement ventilation).
To read the entire article, please follow the link below.

1 These standards are effective only for the U.S.A. In Europe, the standard on thermal comfort is entitled BS EN 15251:2007.