human comfort

Describes automatic equipment for measuring thermal comfort based on resultant surface temperature, convective heat flux density, air temperature and relative humidity. Results obtained in an environmental chamber are presented and evaluated.

Compares the levels of possible cigarette smoke-related aerosols with the prevalence of health-related complaints in offices with different regulations about smoking, using data from two sources. The first was a review of 111 buildings with persistent building-related complaints and 32 buildings where there were no complaints. The second was a questionnaire completed by approximately 1100 employees from 9 buildings in New York City. The available data do not support a conclusion that increased reports of building-related complaints are associated with smoking.

1100 branch members of the New York branch of the Office and Professional Employees International Union working in nine office buildings filled out a detailed questionnaire on working conditions and health comfort complaints. 

The determination of an acceptable range of humidity is complicated by the conflicting effects of an increase or decrease in humidity levels on the speed of chemical interactions and growth of biological organisms and pathogens that may affect human health and comfort.

The aim of the present study is to measure the possible health effects among tenants after certain characteristic energy conservation measures had been taken in their dwellings. Changes in comfort are also included. It is part of a number of projects on subjects such as indoor pollutant source control and changes in house dust mite populations related to moisture changes in retrofitted dwellings.

Reports a case study dealing with the relation between ventilating and airing behaviour and the outside climate. Also the significance of other variables such as preferences with respect to the indoor climate are considered. Wind speed is found to correlate, but outside temperature (varying from -3 to +9 degrees C) does not correlate with the length of time the windows in the bedrooms and bathrooms are opened. Rainfall and sunshine also seem to have some influence. The main reasons for airing are that the bedrooms are too warm and not fresh.

Examines evidence for relating sickness to the office environment. Notes research into the office building syndrome (obs) in various countries. Notes that although air conditioning goes back to the 1920s, obs has been in the news only during the last five years or so. Notes the contribution to this of energy saving regulations. Notes the complex nature of indoor air contamination. Points to obvious factors such as air conditioning systems unserviced for 30 years, occupational psychology, indoor architecture, climatic constance and air ionisation.

Notes that the information in the ASHRAE 'Fundamentals' volume on how much ventilation ought to be provided is based on work nearly 50 years old. Reports new work on permissible ventilation rates produced by H B Bouwman of the Dutch Research Institute for Environmental Hygiene of the Central Organisation for Applied Scientific Research TNO. The numerical purpose of the work was to find the rate of ventilation required to keep complaints from occupants of rooms about unacceptable smells to less than 5% or 1%.

Studies the daily behaviour with respect to heating, use of windows and ventilation in newly built identical houses in Oosterhout, Netherlands. The houses have external walls of brick with cavity insulation, double-glazed windows and natural ventilation, with a gas burner furnace in the loft for heating and hot water. 57 occupants were interviewed and 41 filled in hourly log-books during 14 days recording people at home, thermostat setting, periods of open windows and trickle ventilators in the different rooms, use of radiator valves and position of doors inside the house.

This paper reports a case study dealing with the relation between ventilating and airing behaviour and the outside climate. Also the significance of other variables such as preferences with respect to the indoor climate are considered. An indication is found that wind speed correlates, but outside temperature (varying from -3 to +9 degrees C) does not correlate with the length of time the windows in the bedrooms and bathrooms are opened. Rainfall and sunshine also seem to have some influence. The main reason for airing is the opinion that the bedrooms are too warm and not fresh.