Thermal Comfort

Question 1

What are the optimizations for Thermal Comfort ?

Answer 1

T02 VERIFIED THERMAL COMFORT

T03 THERMAL ZONING

T04 INDIVIDUAL THERMAL CONTROL

T05 RADIANT THERMAL COMFORT

T06 THERMAL COMFORT MONITORING

T07 HUMIDITY CONTROL

T08 Β ENHANCED OPERABLE WINDOWS

T09 Β OUTDOOR THERMAL COMFORT

Question 2

What are the preconditions for Thermal Comfort ?

Answer 2

T01 THERMAL PERFORMANCE

Question 3

What are the results of overly warm indoor spaces?

Answer 3

increases in sick building syndrome symptoms, irregular
heart rate, respiratory issues, fatigue and negative mood

Question 4

What are the impacts of cold work environments?

Answer 4

increased effort and work towards maintaining proper posture and increased risk for chronic issues related to musculoskeletal
health.

Question 5

What six core parameters the thermal environment is based on?

Answer 5

air, temperature, humidity, air movement, mean radiant temperature of surrounding surfaces, metabolic rate and clothing
insulation.

Question 6

Parts of T01 THERMAL PERFORMANCE?

Answer 6

Provide Acceptable Thermal Environment
Option 1: Performance verified environmental condition
Option 2: Long-term thermal data
Option 3: Thermal comfort surveys
Monitor Thermal Parameters
Option 1: Annual testing
Option 2: Continuous monitoring

Question 7

Long-term thermal data requirements?

Answer 7

a. Project meets Feature T06: Thermal Comfort Monitoring.
b. Temperature and humidity data covering, at minimum, the previous six months satisfy one of the following ranges:
1. One of the PMV or temperature ranges described in Option 1.
2. Dry bulb temperature is between 70-77 °F(21-25 °C) for at least 90% of standard occupied hours. The designed air velocity is not more 40 fpm(0.2 m/s) at 5.6 ft(1.7 m) above the floor

Question 8

Thermal comfort surveys in commercial kitchen spaces requirements?

Answer 8

a. The operative temperature in the kitchen does not exceed 80 °F(27 °C).

Question 9

What are the options for Monitor Thermal Parameters?

Answer 9

Annual testing

a. The dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity, air speed (only for projects that use elevated air speed method) and mean radiant temperature are monitored in regularly occupied spaces at intervals no less than twice a year (including once in June, July or August and once in December, January or February), and results are submitted annually through the WELL digital platform.
b. The number and location of sampling points comply with the requirements outlined in the Performance Verification Guidebook.

Continuous monitoring

Project meets Feature T06: Thermal Comfort Monitoring.

Question 10

When and how often post occupancy survey is administered?

Answer 10

At least 6 months after occupancy and at least twice a year (including once in June, July or August and once in December, January or February).

Question 11

How thermal comfort is verified?

Answer 11

Through post occupancy survey

Question 12

What is Option 1: Thermal comfort monitors of Part1 of T06 THERMAL COMFORT MONITORING?

Answer 12

The project monitors dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity, satisfying the following requirements:

a. Sensors are located in occupiable areas; 3.6-5.6 ft(1.1-1.7 m) above the floor; and at least 3.3 ft(1 m) away from exterior walls, doors, direct sunlight, air supply/exhausts, mechanical fans, heaters or any other significant source of heat or cold.
b. A minimum of one sensor per 3,500 ft (325 m ) of occupiable floor area.
c. Measurements are taken at least once every 15 minutes.
d. Sensors comply with the Device Requirements listed in the WELL Performance Verification Guidebook

Question 13

What is Option 2: Reporting & maintenance of Part1 of T06 THERMAL COMFORT MONITORING?

Answer 13

The following requirements are met:

a. Data are submitted annually through the WELL digital platform. b. Sensors are recalibrated or replaced at least every three years and certificates attesting their calibration or replacement are submitted every three years through the WELL digital platform.

Question 14

What is Option 3: Environmental measures display of Part1 of T06 THERMAL COMFORT MONITORING?

Answer 14

Real-time display of dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity is made available to occupants through one of the following:

a. Display screens, with at least one screen located in each 3,500 ft (325 m ) zone of regularly occupied space.
b. A website or mobile application, with at least one sign located in each 3,500 ft (325 m ) zone of regularly occupied space, indicating where the data may be accessed.

Question 15

How to Mechanically control humidity ?

Answer 15

The mechanical system has the capability of maintaining relative humidity between 30% and 60% at all times by adding or removing moisture from the air.

Question 16

How to use Long-term humidity data to control Humidity?

Answer 16

The following requirements are met:

a. Project meets Feature T06: Thermal Comfort Monitoring.
b. Humidity data for all regularly occupied areas, except high-humidity spaces covering at least the previous six months are between 30% and 60% for at least 98% of all business hours of the year

Question 17

Humidity modeling to control humidity?

Answer 17

The following requirement is met for all regularly occupied areas, except high-humidity spaces: a. The modeled relative humidity levels in the space are between 30% and 60% for at least 98% of all business hours of the year

Question 18

What are the health risks of humidity in warm spaces?

Answer 18

promote the accumulation and growth of microbial pathogens, including bacteria and dust mites which can lead to odors and cause respiratory irritation and allergies in sensitive individuals.

Question 19

What are the health risks of cold and dry spaces ?

Answer 19

can lead discomfort and irritation of the airways, skin, eyes, throat and mucous membranes and facilitate the spread of the influenza virus

Question 20

How to manage Outdoor Heat?

Answer 20

Outdoor shading

Temperature modeling

Question 21

What are outdoor shading requirements?

Answer 21

The following areas (if present) are shaded for more than half of daylight hours each day by tree canopies, awnings, or other structures:

a. At least 50% of pedestrian pathways and building entrances.
b. At least 25% of parking spaces (if present).
c. Between 25% and 75% of all plazas, seating areas and other outdoor areas of congregation.

Question 22

What are the Temperature modeling requirements?

Answer 22

For pedestrian pathways and building entrances, parking spaces, and plazas, seating areas and other outdoor areas of congregation, project provides the following:

a. Highest expected measure of thermal perception for each month (e.g., highest Physiologically Equivalent Temperature, highest Universal Thermal Climate Index).
b. If the highest measure of thermal perception is associated with “moderate” (or more severe) heat stress, a list of countermeasures within at least two of the following categories and the expected reduction in heat stress that they provide:
1. Landscaping and greenery.
2. Manufactured shading systems (e.g., canopies).
3. Reflectance of manufactured surfaces (e.g., sidewalks, rooftops).
4. Water features (e.g., ponds, fountains).