T06: Thermal Comfort Monitoring – Above Green

(1 point)

INTENT

Monitor and effectively address unacceptable thermal comfort conditions and inform building managers and users of the thermal comfort parameters of their indoor environment.

SUMMARY

This WELL feature requires projects to monitor thermal comfort parameters using sensors in their buildings that can be used as feedback for building managers and users to take appropriate actions.

ISSUE

Unfavorable levels of heat, humidity and ventilation are associated with people's experience of itchy eyes, headache and throat irritation. Outdoor weather, indoor occupancy and building physics and performance, including ventilation rates, are highly variable and have a direct impact on human perceptions of thermal comfort. To maintain ideal performance metrics, projects should continuously gather data on thermal comfort parameters in order to inform remediation actions.

SOLUTIONS

Building HVAC systems should be designed to monitor and control for variations in indoor air temperature, mean radiant temperature, relative humidity and air movement. Thermal comfort monitoring can help building users to be aware of and promptly fix any deviations in thermal comfort metrics. These measures by themselves will not resolve the issue of potential thermal discomfort, but they certainly raise awareness and are an important first step toward a solution. In addition to having calibrated sensors, the positioning of the sensors plays an important role in accurate assessment of the thermal environment.

IMPACT

Monitoring thermal comfort parameters in real-time is important to prevent and resolve thermal comfort issues promptly, which ultimately contributes to improved human health, well-being and productivity.

REQUIREMENTS

Part 1

Monitor Thermal Environment (1 point)

Verified by MEP, On-going Data Report, Policy Document, Photographic evidence

For All Spaces

Thermal comfort monitors:

Projects monitor dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity, air speed and mean radiant temperature in regularly occupied areas within the building, satisfying the following requirements:

Measurements are taken in occupied zones at least 1 m [3.3 ft] away from exterior walls, doors, direct sunlight, air supply/exhausts, mechanical fans, heaters or any other significant source of heat or cold.
The sensor placement density is minimum one per floor or one every 325 m² [3,500 ft²], whichever is more stringent.

Measurements are taken at intervals and heights specified in the table below:

Parameter	Sampling Interval	Sampling Height Above the Floor
Dry-bulb temperature	10 minutes or less	1.1–1.7 m [3.6–5.6 ft]
Relative humidity	10 minutes or less	1.1–1.7 m [3.6–5.6 ft]
Air speed (only if elevated air speed is used)	3 months or less	1.1–1.7 m [3.6–5.6 ft]
Mean radiant temperature	3 months or less	1.1–1.7 m [3.6–5.6 ft]

Data are analyzed for regularly occupied hours (e.g., median, mean, 75^th and 95^th percentile) and annually submitted through WELL Online.
Dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity sensors are recalibrated or replaced annually and certificates attesting their calibration or replacement are annually submitted through WELL Online. Air speed and mean radiant temperature sensors used for quarterly measurements are calibrated as per manufacturer's specification.

Environmental measures display:

Real-time display of dry-bulb temperature and relative humidity is made available to occupants through one of the following:

At least one monitor screen prominently positioned at the height of 1.1–1.7 m [3.6–5.6 ft] per 930 m² [10,000 ft²] of regularly occupied space.
A website or phone application. At least one visible sign is positioned per 930 m² [10,000 ft²] of regularly occupied space indicating the website or phone application where the data may be accessed.