The room level Comfort variables are generated when Comfort Analysis is chosen from the VistaPro toolbar. The variables available for selection are dependent on the chosen Comfort analysis standard and method(s).
These variables are a post-process using the currently selected apache simulation results file (.aps) and are generated for the selected rooms based on the settings on the Comfort tab of space data.
People dissatisfied: An index that predicts the percentage of occupants expressing dissatisfaction with the room thermal environment. The index is calculated on fixed values for CLO 0.5, Activity 58.2 w/m2, Air speed 0 m/s, and simulated room air temperature & room mean radiant temperature variable values. Use the VistaPro Comfort analysis tool to display a version of this index that utilizes room comfort parameters & specific standard requirements.
Predicted mean vote: An index* that predicts the mean value of the votes of a large group of occupants on the following 7-point thermal sensation scale: +3 hot +2 warm +1 slightly warm 0 neutral -1 slightly cold -2 cool -3 cold, although the range -2 to +2 is the normal range of use according to ISO 7730 (with MET between 0.8 to 4, CLO between 0 and 2, Ta between 10 and 30 oC and Tr between 10 and 40 oC).
Note: the PMV scale should be used only for values of PMV between -2 and +2 and the input parameter limits set out in see ISO 7730 / ASHRAE 55 for the selected method. At high temperatures and PMV values near the end of the scale the PMV formula can produce unexpected results.
Operative temperature: temperature based on CIBSE A equation 1.2 (Air temperature & mean radiant temperature) and room air speed as set on the room comfort parameters.
Standard effective temperature (SET): the temperature of an imaginary environment at 50% relative humidity, <0.1 m/s [0.33 ft/s] average air speed, and mean radiant temperature equal to average air temperature, in which total heat loss from the skin of an imaginary occupant with an activity level of 1.0 met and a clothing level of 0.6 clo is the same as that from a person in the actual environment, with actual clothing and activity level and room air speed (fixed winter 0.1 m/s, summer 0.8 m/s).
Comfort index: An index predicting comfort within the space based on the following scale:
1: very cold, danger
2: cold, shivering
3: cool, unpleasant
4: cool, acceptable
5: slightly cool/acceptable
6: comfortable, pleasant/cool
7: comfortable, pleasant
8: comfortable, pleasant/warm
9: slightly warm/acceptable
10: warm, acceptable
11: warm, unpleasant
12: hot, very uncomfortable
13: very hot, danger
14: unoccupied
15: non-sedentary
CIBSE TM52 Variables (generated when choose TM52 Comfort Analysis, for details see the TM52 guide here):
Operative temperature (TM 52/CIBSE)
Degrees > Max. adaptive temp. (TM 52 criterion 1)
Daily weighted exceedance (TM 52 criterion 2)
ASHRAE 55 Analytical Method variables (generated when choose ASHRAE 55 PMV/PPD Analytical Method Comfort Analysis):
PMV (ASHRAE 55 Analytical)
PPD (ASHRAE 55 Analytical)
CLO (ASHRAE 55 Analytical)
PMV (ASHRAE 55 Analytical direct-solar)
PPD (ASHRAE 55 Analytical direct-solar)
CLO (ASHRAE 55 Analytical direct-solar)
MRT (ASHRAE 55 Analytical direct-solar)
Top (ASHRAE 55 Analytical direct-solar)
Notes:
· Utilizes nominal air speed;
· If CLO MOD (using min/max values) or ABS is selected CLO for each time-step is selected using the selected profile;
· If CLO min/max is selected CLO for each time-step is selected based on the best PMV result;
· Validity checks on input parameters are made in accordance with ASHRAE 55; where input parameters fall outside the requirements of ASHRAE 55 NaN is returned in the results;
· CLO is the value utilized per time-step in this method.
Note: the PMV scale should be used only for values of PMV between -2 and +2 and the input parameter limits set out in see ISO 7730 / ASHRAE 55 for the selected method. At high temperatures and PMV values near the end of the scale the PMV formula can produce unexpected results.
ASHRAE 55 Adaptive Thermal Comfort Method variables (generated when choose ASHRAE 55 PMV/PPD Analytical Method Comfort Analysis):
PMV (ASHRAE 55 Adaptive)
PPD (ASHRAE 55 Adaptive)
CLO (ASHRAE 55 Adaptive)
PMV (ASHRAE 55 Adaptive direct-solar)
PPD (ASHRAE 55 Adaptive direct-solar)
CLO (ASHRAE 55 Adaptive direct-solar)
MRT (ASHRAE 55 Adaptive direct-solar)
Top (ASHRAE 55 Adaptive direct-solar)
Notes:
· Utilizes nominal and elevated air speed (when PMV exceeds +0.5);
· If CLO MOD (using min/max values) or ABS is selected CLO for each time-step is selected using the selected profile;
· If CLO min/max is selected CLO for each time-step is selected based on the best PMV result;
· Validity checks on input parameters are made in accordance with ASHRAE 55; where input parameters fall outside the requirements of ASHRAE 55 NaN is returned in the results;
· CLO is the value utilized per time-step in this method.
Note: the PMV scale should be used only for values of PMV between -2 and +2 and the input parameter limits set out in see ISO 7730 / ASHRAE 55 for the selected method. At high temperatures and PMV values near the end of the scale the PMV formula can produce unexpected results.
ISO 7730 PMV PPD Method variables (generated after the method is selected and applied):
PMV (ISO 7730 nominal air speed)
PPD (ISO 7730 nominal air speed)
PMV (ISO 7730 elevated air speed)
PPD (ISO 7730 elevated air speed)
PMV (ISO 7730 nom & elev air speed cat A)*
PPD (ISO 7730 nom & elev air speed cat A)*
PMV (ISO 7730 nom & elev air speed cat B)*
PPD (ISO 7730 nom & elev air speed cat B)*
PMV (ISO 7730 nom & elev air speed cat C)*
PPD (ISO 7730 nom & elev air speed cat C)*
Notes for all items:
· If CLO MOD (using min/max values) or ABS is selected CLO for each time-step is selected using the selected profile;
· If CLO min/max is selected CLO for each time-step is selected based on the best PMV result;
· Validity checks on input parameters are made in accordance with ISO 7730; where input parameters fall outside the requirements of 7730 NaN is returned in the results;
· CLO is the value utilized per time-step in this method.
Notes for items marked *:
· Only output for the selected category is displayed;
· Utilizes nominal air speed unless the PMV category upper limit is exceeded (+0.2/+0.5/+0.7); when exceeded elevated air speed is utilized.
Note: the PMV scale should be used only for values of PMV between -2 and +2 and the input parameter limits set out in see ISO 7730. At high temperatures and PMV values near the end of the scale the PMV formula can produce unexpected results.
