Field evaluation of thermal comfort and indoor environment quality for a hospital in a hot and humid climate

摘要

It is vital, but sometimes challenging, to provide suitable thermal comfort conditions and appropriate indoor environment quality in hospital buildings because of the widely varying conditions required by different types of occupants. The objective of this study was to conduct a field evaluation on thermal comfort and indoor environment quality in a hospital building in Taiwan using questionnaires and field measurements. The results from survey questionnaires completed by 403 hospital staff revealed that 38% felt slightly warm under a fully operational HVAC system, and 52% felt unfavorably regarding the movement of air. Survey questionnaire and field measurement data including thermal comfort parameters (temperature, humidity, global temperature, and air velocity) and indoor air quality variables (carbon dioxide and total volatile organic compounds concentration) were conducted simultaneously and extensively throughout the hospital. Correlations between air movement sensation votes and preferences have been developed to examine the relationship between thermal comfort and indoor environment quality. A modified operative temperature range of 22.9℃ to 26.3℃ (73.3℉ to 79.3℉), obtained using questionnaire votes and field measurement data, revealed that the occupants of a tropical hospital favor an operative temperature range approximately 1℃(1.8℉) lower than that of the ASHRAE comfortable zone. More rigorous investigation to determine a comfortable indoor environment specific for hospital buildings in hot and humid climates is warranted.