Perception of Thermal Comfort in the Enclosed Transitional Space of Tropical Buildings

The enclosed lift lobby distinguishes itself as a unique form of region categorised under building transitional spaces. This paper reports on an evaluation of thermal comfort conditions in a prominent transitional space in buildings which is the enclosed lift lobby of an educational institution in Malaysia, using field survey which included objective measurement and subjective assessment. The temperature set-point of air conditioner was increased and maintained at 26°C to investigate the human thermal perceptions in the enclosed region. Comparison was made on the percentage of thermal sensation, preference, acceptability and general comfort votes obtained from field survey. The outcomes clearly indicated that the human thermal perception in the enclosed lift lobby would be directly proportional to the level of human occupancy, and any sudden temperature change could lead to thermal discomfort of occupants. The respondents generally preferred to have cooler environment, rather than warmer one. Also, comfortable temperature can be obtained even with higher air conditioner thermostat settings. These findings may serve as a guide for building operators in the tropics to control the energy consumption of cooling equipment attached to the enclosed transitional spaces.

[1]  Nor Mariah Adam,et al.  Ventilation Parameters and Thermal Comfort of Naturally and Mechanically Ventilated Offices , 2009 .

[2]  P. Fanger.  Moderate Thermal Environments Determination of the PMV and PPD Indices and Specification of the Conditions for Thermal Comfort , 1984 .

[3]  F. Nicol.  Adaptive thermal comfort standards in the hot–humid tropics , 2004 .

[4]  Adrian Pitts,et al.  Potential for energy saving in building transition spaces , 2007 .

[5]  N. Wong,et al.  Thermal comfort for naturally ventilated houses in Indonesia , 2004 .

[6]  Ruey Lung Hwang,et al.  Subjective responses and comfort reception in transitional spaces for guests versus staff , 2008 .

[7]  Baizhan Li,et al.  Physiological Expression of Human Thermal Comfort to Indoor Operative Temperature in the Non-HVAC Environment , 2010 .

[8]  Mtr Jayasinghe,et al.  Thermal comfort temperature range for factory workers in warm humid tropical climates , 2008 .

[9]  Chungyoon Chun,et al.  Thermal comfort in urban transitional spaces , 2005 .

[10]  Nyuk Hien Wong,et al.  Thermal comfort in classrooms in the tropics , 2003 .

[11]  P. Fanger,et al.  Extension of the PMV model to non-air-conditioned buildings in warm climates , 2002 .

[12]  Chungyoon Chun,et al.  Thermal environment and human responses in underground shopping malls vs department stores in Japan , 1998 .

[13]  Baizhan Li,et al.  Occupant’s Perception and Preference of Thermal Environment in Free-running Buildings in China: , 2010 .

[14]  Arnaud G. Malan,et al.  HVAC control strategies to enhance comfort and minimise energy usage , 2001 .

[15]  Adrian Pitts,et al.  Building transition spaces, comfort and energy use , 2008 .

[16]  Chungyoon Chun,et al.  Thermal comfort in transitional spaces—basic concepts: literature review and trial measurement , 2004 .

[17]  P. O. Fanger,et al.  Thermal comfort: analysis and applications in environmental engineering, , 1972 .

[18]  Sai On Cheung,et al.  An analysis of electricity end-use in air-conditioned office buildings in Hong Kong , 2003 .

[19]  Baizhan Li,et al.  Climatic Strategies of Indoor Thermal Environment for Residential Buildings in Yangtze River Region, China , 2011 .

[20]  Danny H.W. Li,et al.  Lighting and cooling energy consumption in an open-plan office using solar film coating , 2008 .

[21]  Standard Ashrae.  Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy , 1992 .

[22]  Adrian Pitts,et al.  Interpretation of thermal responses of four subject groups in transitional spaces of buildings in Bangkok , 2002 .