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  1. Comfort
  2. Thermal comfort

Thermal comfort

Features>Comfort>76. Thermal comfort

76. Thermal comfort

Intent: 

To promote occupant productivity and ensure a sufficient level of thermal comfort.

Thermal comfort in the body is provided through homeothermy, the balancing of heat gains and losses to maintain the body’s core temperature within its narrow range, 36-38 °C [97-100 °F], and regulated by the hypothalamus. Thermal comfort can affect mood, performance and productivity. However, temperature preferences are highly personal and differ from one individual to another. Balancing the energy requirements of large buildings with the varied occupant preferences can thus be challenging.

Part 1: Ventilated Thermal Environment

All spaces in mechanically-ventilated projects meet the design, operating and performance criteria:

a.92 ASHRAE Standard 55-2013 Section 5.3, Standard Comfort Zone Compliance.
Part 2: Natural Thermal Adaptation

All spaces in naturally-ventilated projects meet the following criteria:

a.92 ASHRAE Standard 55-2013 Section 5.4, Adaptive Comfort Model.
Part 3: Thermal Comfort in the Kitchen

The following requirements will be met at all times in the kitchen:

a. The operative temperature in the kitchen does not exceed 80 °F.
Integumentary
Nervous
Respiratory
Immune

Applicability Matrix

Core & Shell New & Existing Buildings New & Existing Interiors
Part 1: Ventilated Thermal Environment P P P
Part 2: Natural Thermal Adaptation P P P
Commercial Kitchen Education Multifamily Residential Restaurant Retail
Part 1: Ventilated Thermal Environment P P P P P
Part 2: Natural Thermal Adaptation P P P P P
Part 3: Thermal Comfort in the Kitchen P - - - -

Verification Methods Matrix

Letters of Assurance Annotated Documents On-Site Checks
Part 1: Ventilated Thermal Environment MEP Spot Measurement
Part 2: Natural Thermal Adaptation MEP Spot Measurement
Part 3: Thermal Comfort in the Kitchen MEP Spot Measurement

92

ASHRAE. Standard 55: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy, Atlanta, GA: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers; 2013: 4; 8-13.
76.1.a

ASHRAE Standard 55: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy sets best practices for thermal comfort in buildings.
76.2.a

ASHRAE Standard 55: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy sets best practices for thermal comfort in buildings.
Features>Comfort>76. Thermal comfort