3371 (RP-462) -- A Comparison of Measured and Predicted Comfort in Office Buildings (same as AT-90-6-4) PDF

Reports that ASHRAE recently sponsored a research project (RP-462) to develop procedures for assessing thermal environments and occupant comfort in existing office buildings, and conducted a field study in 10 San Francisco Bay Area office buildings during the winter and summer seasons of 1987. Compares the data collected in these office buildings with comfort predictions cited in the literature and to date from other field studies. States the aim of the paper is to determine the extent to which the theoretical and laboratory-based equations accurately predict workers' responses in real office buildings. Also compares both direct and indirect assessments of comfort in these buildings to examine the extent to which thermal comfort is associated with thermal neutrality.

KEYWORDS: Thermal comfort, comfort, offices, USA, comparing, research, site testing.