Field measurements of comfort, seasonal performance and cold stress in cross-laminated timber (CLT) school buildings

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the seasonal performance, occupants’ comfort and cold stress in cross-laminated timber school buildings located in the USA (Northeast region). Design/methodology/approach The Fall survey was done from October–November 2017. In the Winter, it was considered from December 2017–February 2018. The study measured environmental parameters in the chosen spaces. The research applied the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) model to determine the indexes in various seasons. Findings In the Fall, the average inside temperature was 21.2°C, the average RH was 50.7 per cent, and the mean dew-point was 9.3°C. The mean inside temperature was 20.5°C in the Winter while the mean RH was 23.9 per cent and the average dew-point was −1.9°C. The overall mean inside temperatures in both seasons were within the ASHRAE comfort temperature limits for cold seasons. During the surveys, higher average values of temperature, RH and dew-point were measured in the offices than the other spaces. Practical implications The research showed people might be subject to lower temperatures in the hall than the other spaces. Some design parameters and occupation hours may contribute to the lower temperatures reported in the hall than the different spaces. Originality/value The study proposes the WBGT of 16.0°C and 13.7°C as the stress indexes in the Fall and Winter seasons correspondingly. Last, the research suggests a WBGT of 14.9°C as the overall mean stress index within the spaces considered in this study.