An ASHRAE grant program is funding the creation of a database to help better understand human thermal comfort in residential and commercial buildings.
The grants, totaling $180,000, are awarded to full-time graduate students of ASHRAE-related technologies. The project will identify previous thermal comfort and occupant responses in residential and commercial buildings worldwide.
The resulting international database will include measurements of all the physical conditions affecting thermal comfort (air temperature, humidity, air movement, radiant temperature and occupant clothing and metabolic rate). In addition, subjective surveys (thermal sensation, comfort, perceived air quality, and wherever possible, adaptive behavior and interaction with building controls) will be tallied and included.
The database is expected to be used to analyze trends in thermal comfort and behavior patterns and evaluate current comfort prediction tools. It will take into consideration relevance to different building types, climates, cultures, and demographics.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Feb 16, 2021
Bechtel joins international heat resilience organization
Experience designing resilience standards to aid effort to protect communities from extreme heat.
Codes and Standards | Feb 10, 2021
More than two-thirds of construction companies say COVID-19 has not impacted their ESOP
Half of survey respondents say 2020 project profitability decreased due to pandemic.
Codes and Standards | Feb 9, 2021
New Jersey approves new electric vehicle-ready home requirement
Homebuyers must be given option for charging station on new construction.
Codes and Standards | Feb 9, 2021
New California law removes barriers to residential development
Measure removes restrictions for ADUs in urban areas and master planned communities.
Codes and Standards | Feb 8, 2021
Alliance yields more accurate data for rating and certifying systems of construction materials
Crosswalk API offers trusted format to specify and procure healthier products.
Codes and Standards | Feb 4, 2021
2021 IBC requires automatic doors for entrances to public buildings
One door must be either a full power-operated door or a low-energy power-operated door.
Codes and Standards | Feb 3, 2021
Two new International Code Council online code tools released
Offer detailed information about global building code usage and U.S. adoptions.
Codes and Standards | Feb 2, 2021
Biden tells OSHA to bolster COVID-19 safety rules
Order could lead to a national playbook for fighting COVID-19 on jobsites.
Codes and Standards | Feb 1, 2021
Fenestration Alliance updates standard for mulled combination assemblies
Last updated in 2010, document describes procedures and requirements for air leakage, water resistance, and structural performance.
Codes and Standards | Jan 28, 2021
Natl. Fire Protection Assn. releases new energy storage system fact sheet
Comes as Biden Administration prepares ambitious clean energy agenda.