Abstract
Modern office building users have high expectations about the working environment and thermal comfort, which requires the installation of complex technical systems such as combined cooling and ventilation. Room conditioning units of these systems must ensure temperature and ventilation control in a way that air velocity is low and the air temperature in acceptable range. Achieving air distribution avoiding draught is one of the key elements of a thermal comfort in modern office landscape. Higher air velocity in occupied zone is easily perceived as draught, which causes occupant dissatisfaction and complaints, as well as decrease in the productivity or effective floor space area. To reduce complaints, room air temperature setpoints or ventilation airflow rates are often modified, which may result in higher heating energy demand. In addition, excessive heating setpoint rise will not only consume more energy, but may cause health problems. Compared to cellular offices it is more difficult to ensure thermal comfort conditions in open office spaces where there are no walls for air flows. In addition, due to the higher number of employees it is more difficult to meet satisfactory conditions for everyone. The aim of this study was to evaluate thermal comfort parameters such as room air temperature, air speed and supply air temperature and how the users sense it in a modern office building in Tallinn, Estonia. Design room air temperature setpoints and air exchange rate were evaluated on open office spaces. Measured data with web-based indoor climate questionnaire was analysed. Results show which design and measured parameters make it possible to match the user comfort at all times.
Highlights
The concept of an open office started with the idea that it will improve collaboration between employees [1]
The higher indoor air temperature (IAT) and supply air temperatures above recommended design values cause a situation in which the energy costs can increase as radiators are out of heating mode, switching heating of the rooms to ventilation air heating mode
ICQ showed that IAT was felt cooler than the average
Summary
The concept of an open office started with the idea that it will improve collaboration between employees [1]. An open office is a fairly common solution that has been studied and found to have positive or negative effects. An open office solution can be very beneficial for the employer as it allows efficient floor space usage and cost savings [2]. Colleagues' activities and movements interfere with the work. Interfering noise sources are, for example, office equipment, telephone calls or communication with colleagues, which can lead to a significant loss of productivity. There is a lack of space, low privacy and low job creation potential for specific concerns [3, 4]
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