The importance of the calculation of angle factors to determine the mean radiant temperature in temperate climate zone: A university office building case

Abstract

Thermal comfort depends on four environmental (air velocity, relative humidity, air temperature, mean radiant temperature) and two personal (clothing insulation and metabolic rate) parameters. Among all parameters, the mean radiant temperature (t(r)) is the most problematic variable in thermal comfort studies due to its complexity. Measurement methods, calculation methods and assumptions are mostly used to obtain the t(r). Researchers mainly prefer to obtain the t(r) via measurement methods or assumptions due to their easiness compared to the calculation methods. Besides, some researchers use constant values of angle factors in calculation methods. However, using constant values is not proper for every indoor environment, and it causes wrong estimations in the t(r) and thus the thermal comfort. This paper gives the importance of calculation of angle factors, with an example of a university office building in temperate climate zone, according to the ISO 7726. The angle factors of the room were calculated for a seated occupant from the centre of gravity in three different locations and compared with the constant angle factors. The results indicate that a significant difference (MAPE of 1.02) was found in the t(r) values, which were obtained by calculation of constant values of angle factors.