Impact of Building Function on Thermal Comfort: A Review Paper

Mamdooh S Alwetaishi

doi:10.3844/ajeassp.2016.928.945

Mamdooh S Alwetaishi

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3844/ajeassp.2016.928.945

Copy DOI

Abstract

One of the most problems for achieving thermal comfort in buildings is disregarding the impact of different types of building use. They are differ depending on the activity style they perform inside. In residential buildings, for instance, variations in indoor temperature is more acceptable than the case in hotels or hospitals. This review is leading to seek a solution for this problem which usually found neglected. Consequently, the selection of the reviewed papers was based on building use. Main factors affecting thermal comfort will be discussed. In addition, focus on the effect of building's function on thermal comfort such as residential buildings, office buildings, heath care buildings and educational buildings. As far as environmental aspects affecting thermal comfort, air temperature was found to be the most effective one among the rest. Moreover, the effect of building function on adaptive thermal comfort has been discussed with reference to residential, office, healthcare and educational buildings. It has to be considered that there is a noticeable effect on the different types of building in terms of its impact on the users.

Highlights

Having the right temperature indoors was and still one of the most remarkable things that people concern about in buildings
Karjalainen (2007) and Parsons (2002) have indicated in his study which was focusing in gender differences in thermal comfort in everyday thermal environment, he found that woman prefer higher temperature than male, especially, in office buildings where the internal environment considerably high
This paper presents a literature review on thermal comfort

Summary

Introduction

Having the right temperature indoors was and still one of the most remarkable things that people concern about in buildings. Karjalainen (2007) and Parsons (2002) have indicated in his study which was focusing in gender differences in thermal comfort in everyday thermal environment, he found that woman prefer higher temperature than male, especially, in office buildings where the internal environment considerably high. Liu et al (2012) has highlighted clothing, taking hot or cold drinks and running cooling and heating units as variable affecting adaptive thermal comfort.

Results

Conclusion