Simple method to improve the TCXDVN 306:2004 indoor climate standard for closed office workplaces in Vietnam

Abstract

People spend 86.9% of the day living, working, and relaxing in indoor environments (Klepeis et al., 2001). Accordingly, indoor thermal comfort is regarded as one of the most significant factors affecting environmental satisfaction (Nasrollahi, Knight & Jones, 2008). Undesirable thermal conditions can lead to occupant dissatisfaction which, in turn, has an adverse effect on their productivity, performance (Budaiwi, 2006). Thermal comfort is also critical to planning for energy efficient building design and overall post-occupancy evaluations. The ANSI/ASHRAE 55-2017 standard defines the term thermal comfort as the condition of mind that expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment and is assessed by subjective evaluation (American National Standards Institute/ /American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers [ANSI/ASHRAE], 2017). The factors affecting thermal comfort is normally dependent on four environmental parameters (dry bulb temperature, air humidity, air velocity and mean-radiant temperature) and two personal (clothing-insulation and physical activity) parameters (Szokolay, 2004). In office buildings, indoor temperature is one of the main influencing factors: direct (when thermal comfort is not obtained) as well as indirect (when sick building syndrome symptoms occur).