The study of thermal comfort zones for developing the government’s senior community centers using field and laboratory studies: a case study in Phitsanulok, Thailand
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This paper presents a study aiming to develop thermal comfort zones for Thai senior citizens in the government’s senior community centers. ASHRAE scale was used to evaluate the thermal sensation vote (TSV) of older adults. This study was conducted in cold and hot seasons in Phitsanulok City, Thailand by using both field and climate chamber studies. The field survey was conducted in 3 senior community centers. One hundred and two copies of the thermal comfort questionnaire were issued in winter and 90 copies in summer. The occupants in all 3 senior community centers were selected for the climate chamber study. Then 30 respondents were arranged to experience 144 various thermal conditions. Linear regression model of TSV and thermal variables were developed. The results showed that the mean of TSV and thermal comfort zones of Thai senior citizens differed from Franger’s PMV and ASHRAE’s comfort zones. Moreover, due to different clothing insulation between cold season (0.64 clo) and hot season (0.50 clo), the comfort zones of both seasons (at activities 1.1-1.2 met) were found different. To conclude this, in still air (0-0.05 m/s), the preferred indoor thermal environment for senior community buildings in the cold season is a combination of 25.0-27.2°C operative temperature and 49-75% relative humidity. In the hot season, the preferred condition is slightly warmer and less humid at 26.4-29.7°C operative temperature and 47-70% relative humidity. The findings can be used to set standards of operation and design of the country’s senior community centers in order to provide more comfortable indoor conditions and save energy.
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