Recent research that looks at the method used to determine thermal comfort in ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55 published in an article, āEnergy Consumption in Buildings and Female Thermal Demand,ā in Nature Climate Change, misinterpreted data, according to ASHRAE.Ā
āThe interpretation of the authors regarding the basis for Standard 55 is not correct,ā Bjarne Olesen, Ph.D., a member of the ASHRAE Board of Directors, thermal comfort research and former chair of the Standard 55 committee, said. āThe part of the standard they are referring to is the use of the PMV/PPD index. This method is taken from an ISO/EN standard 7730, which has existed since 1982. The basic research for establishing comfort criteria for the indoor environment was made with more than 1,000 subjects with an equal amount of women and men.
āIn the main studies, where they did the same sedentary work and wore the same type of clothing, there were no differences between the preferred temperature for men and women. So the researchersā finding of a lower metabolic rate for females will not influence the recommended temperatures in the existing standards. Also their study is not conclusive. They only studied 16 females at a sedentary activity.
āThey should also have studied 16 men at the same activity to be able to compare. The reason why we, in some field studies, find that women prefer higher room temperature than men is attributed to the level of clothing. Women better adapt their clothing to summer conditions while men are still wearing suits and ties. So if the thermostat is set to satisfy the men, the women will complain about being too cold.Ā In the standard, this adaption of clothing to summer is taken into account. So if the standard is followed, the women would be satisfied; but maybe not the men.ā
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2016
Dept. of Energy releases decision guides for plug and process loads
Plug and process loads consume about 30% of the primary energy in U.S. commercial buildings today.
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
ConsensusDocs releases new multi-party IPD agreement and joining agreement
The documents serveĀ as a comprehensive revision of previous IPD agreement
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
State Savings Calculator analyzes savings associated with energy codes
The calculator breaks down the cost-effectiveness of energy codes on a state-by-state basis.
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
Metal Roofing Seaming Guide published by Metal Construction Association
The free document is specifically tailored for metal roof installation.
Codes and Standards | Jan 22, 2016
Treasury Dept. will start crackdown on illicit money in luxury real estate
TheĀ move is expected to impact high-end condo development.
Resiliency | Jan 13, 2016
LEED credits on resiliency expected to influence future of building design
Post-disaster survivability is a key goal.
Codes and Standards | Jan 12, 2016
Batteries are the next step in raising sustainability standards
Battery technology will reduce electricity costs and promote a more stable, flexible grid.
Codes and Standards | Jan 4, 2016
Denver broadens its use of design reviews as construction booms
Support strong, but some wary of giving more say to review boards. Ā
Codes and Standards | Dec 23, 2015
International Code Council approves updates based on NIST study of Joplin, Mo. tornado
Applies to schools and other high occupancy buildings.
Codes and Standards | Dec 21, 2015
Changing building codes to protect against mass shootings at odds with other safety measures
Fire and other emergencies require getting people out quickly, not locking down sections. Ā