overheating

In 2004 the first adaptive thermal comfort guideline was introduced in the Netherlands. Recently a new, upgraded version of this ISSO 74 (ATG) guideline has been developed. The new requirements are hybrid in nature as the 2014 version of the guideline combines elements of traditional non-adaptive comfort standards with elements of adaptive standards. This paper describes the new guideline and explains the rationale behind it. Also changes in comparison with the original 2004 version and issues related to performance verification are discussed.

Climate changes have progressively produced an increase of outdoors temperature resulting in tangible warmer summers even in cold climate regions. An increased interest for passive cooling strategies is rising in order to overcome the newly low energy buildings’ overheating issue. The growing level of air-tightness plays in low-energy buildings a double-acting role: reduction of energy demand and lack of adequate infiltration rate.

The synergistic effects between summertime ventilation behaviour, indoor temperature and air pollutant concentration in relation to energy retrofit and climate change have been under-investigated to date. This paper explores such interactions in a social housing setting. The case study flat is located on a mid-floor of a high-rise council tower block in central London. Dwellings of this type are likely to be occupied by vulnerable individuals (elderly people or people suffering from ill health or mobility impairment).

It is important to understand and model the behaviour of occupants in buildings and how this behaviour impacts energy use and comfort. It is similarly important to understand how a buildings design affects occupant comfort, occupant behaviour and ultimately the energy used in the operation of the building. In this work a behavioural algorithm for window opening developed from field survey data has been implemented in a dynamic simulation tool. The algorithm is in alignment with the proposed CEN standard for adaptive thermal comfort.

There is a growing consensus that the climate is changing faster than at any time in the past millennium. This is likely to have major effects upon many aspects of the built environment. UK Climate Impact Projections 09 indicate significant increases in Summer Mean Temperatures. This may suggest a requirement for cooler buildings during the summer months. In consequence, that would likely lead to an increase in demand for mechanical ventilation and comfort cooling.

As overheating problems in glassy buildings came up more and more, EMPA put a focus on the determination and modelling of the total solar energy transmittance (TSET) of multiple glazing combined with different shading systems within the framework of IEA Task 27 "Performance, durability and sustainability of solar faade components". Experimental data were produced by a calorimetric outdoor test facility near Zurich (Switzerland).

The study aimed to assess prevalence of complaints and symptoms in relation to sick building syndrome for workers in an air conditioned building in Italy, in the absence of earlier reported complaints. The control was 281 workers in three naturally ventilated buildings. There was a significantly higher number of complaints from the air conditioned office building's employees, including strong lighting, high temperature and dry, dusty and stuffy air. No significant difference was noted in respiratory or general symptoms.

Explains how natural ventilation can improve the environment for workers in industrial buildings as well as those in offices. States that in industrial buildings, the primary reason for installing ventilation has always been to avoid excessive internal temperatures, particularly in summer, and to provide fresh air to breath and remove odours. Waste heat from plant, processes, lighting and people is often the main problem today. Claims that natural ventilation is still an option today for cost and environmental reasons.