ASHRAE 55-2017: A Guide to Thermal Comfort Standards
Thermal comfort is a subjective perception of how comfortable a person feels in a given environment. It depends on various factors, such as air temperature, humidity, air movement, clothing, activity level, and personal preferences. Thermal comfort is important for human health, well-being, productivity, and satisfaction in indoor spaces.
ashrae 55-2017 pdf free download
However, achieving thermal comfort for everyone in a building is not an easy task. Different people may have different thermal preferences and expectations, and the indoor environment may change over time due to external weather conditions, internal heat sources, occupancy patterns, and ventilation systems. Therefore, designers, operators, and occupants need some guidance and criteria to ensure acceptable thermal environments for most people in most situations.
That's where ASHRAE 55-2017 comes in. ASHRAE 55-2017 is a standard that specifies the conditions for acceptable thermal environments and provides methods for design, operation, and commissioning of buildings and other occupied spaces. It is developed by ASHRAE, which stands for the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, a professional organization that sets standards and guidelines for the HVAC industry.
In this article, we will explain what ASHRAE 55-2017 is and why it is important, how to use it for thermal comfort design and assessment, and where to find more information and resources on this topic.
ashrae standard 55-2017 pdf download
ashrae 55-2017 thermal comfort pdf free
how to get ashrae 55-2017 pdf for free
ashrae 55-2017 addendum d pdf download
ashrae 55-2017 addendum a pdf free
ashrae 55-2017 thermal environmental conditions pdf
download ashrae 55-2017 online free
ashrae 55-2017 human occupancy pdf download
ashrae 55-2017 ansi approved pdf free
ashrae 55-2017 compliance forms pdf download
ashrae 55-2017 thermal comfort tool pdf free
ashrae 55-2017 adaptive comfort model pdf download
ashrae 55-2017 operative temperature pdf free
ashrae 55-2017 pmv and ppd pdf download
ashrae 55-2017 local thermal discomfort pdf free
ashrae 55-2017 elevated air speed pdf download
ashrae 55-2017 humidity limits pdf free
ashrae 55-2017 metabolic rate and clothing insulation pdf download
ashrae 55-2017 natural ventilation design pdf free
ashrae 55-2017 radiant temperature asymmetry pdf download
ashrae 55-2017 draft and vertical air temperature difference pdf free
ashrae 55-2017 floor surface temperature pdf download
ashrae 55-2017 acceptable thermal environment ranges pdf free
ashrae 55-2017 graphical comfort zone method pdf download
ashrae 55-2017 analytical comfort zone method pdf free
What is ASHRAE 55-2017 and why is it important?
The scope and purpose of ASHRAE 55-2017
ASHRAE 55-2017 applies to indoor spaces that are intended for human occupancy for at least 15 minutes. It does not apply to outdoor spaces or spaces that are designed for special purposes, such as cold storage rooms, operating rooms, or hot yoga studios.
The purpose of ASHRAE 55-2017 is to define the range of indoor thermal environmental conditions that are acceptable for most occupants. Acceptable means that at least 80% of the occupants would not express dissatisfaction with the thermal environment. Dissatisfaction means that the occupants would prefer a warmer or cooler environment than the current one.
ASHRAE 55-2017 also provides methods for evaluating the thermal environment based on measurements or calculations of environmental variables (such as air temperature, humidity, air speed, and radiant temperature) and personal variables (such as clothing insulation and metabolic rate). These methods can be used to design, operate, and commission buildings and other occupied spaces to achieve acceptable thermal comfort conditions.
The benefits of complying with ASHRAE 55-2017
Complying with ASHRAE 55-2017 can bring many benefits for building owners, managers, designers, operators, occupants, and society at large. Some of these benefits are:
Improved occupant health, well-being, productivity, and satisfaction. Thermal comfort can affect physical and mental health, mood, alertness, concentration, performance, and satisfaction of occupants. By providing acceptable thermal environments, ASHRAE 55-2017 can help prevent or reduce thermal stress, discomfort, fatigue, irritation, illness, absenteeism, turnover, and complaints.
Reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Thermal comfort can also affect energy use and environmental impact. Thermal comfort can influence the demand for heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting in buildings. By following ASHRAE 55-2017, building designers and operators can optimize the energy efficiency and performance of HVAC systems and reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.
Enhanced compliance with codes, standards, and regulations. Thermal comfort is often a requirement or a criterion in various codes, standards, and regulations that govern the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings and other occupied spaces. By adhering to ASHRAE 55-2017, building owners and managers can demonstrate compliance with these codes, standards, and regulations and avoid potential penalties or litigation.
How to use ASHRAE 55-2017 for thermal comfort design and assessment?
The analytical method and the elevated airspeed method
The analytical method is the main method for thermal comfort design and assessment in ASHRAE 55-2017. It is based on the heat balance model of the human body and the psychrometric chart. It defines the acceptable range of operative temperature (the average of air temperature and mean radiant temperature) for a given combination of clothing insulation, metabolic rate, air speed, and humidity. The acceptable range is represented by a comfort zone on the psychrometric chart.
The analytical method can be applied to mechanically conditioned spaces (with or without local control) or mixed-mode spaces (with both mechanical and natural ventilation). It can also be used to evaluate the effect of elevated airspeed on thermal comfort. The elevated airspeed method allows for higher operative temperatures in spaces where the occupants have access to personal control of air movement, such as fans or operable windows. The elevated airspeed method can increase the upper limit of the comfort zone by up to 3C depending on the air speed and the turbulence intensity.
The adaptive method for naturally conditioned spaces
The adaptive method is an alternative method for thermal comfort design and assessment in ASHRAE 55-2017. It is based on the adaptive model of thermal comfort, which assumes that occupants can adapt to their thermal environment through behavioral adjustments, such as changing clothing, opening windows, or using fans. It defines the acceptable range of operative temperature as a function of the running mean outdoor air temperature (the average of the daily mean outdoor air temperatures over the previous 7 to 30 days).
The adaptive method can only be applied to naturally conditioned spaces (without mechanical cooling or heating) or mixed-mode spaces (with both mechanical and natural ventilation) when the mechanical system is not operating. It can also be used to evaluate the effect of occupant expectations on thermal comfort. The adaptive method allows for different comfort zones for different types of buildings, such as residential, office, or educational buildings.
The draft risk method for the ankle region
The draft risk method is a supplementary method for thermal comfort design and assessment in ASHRAE 55-2017. It is based on the draft sensation model, which predicts the percentage of occupants who would feel drafty in a given environment. It defines the acceptable range of air speed and temperature for the ankle region (the area between 0.1 m and 0.6 m above the floor) where occupants are more sensitive to draft.
The draft risk method can be applied to any type of space where occupants are seated or standing. It can also be used to evaluate the effect of floor heating or cooling systems on thermal comfort. The draft risk method limits the maximum air speed in the ankle region to 0.15 m/s for warm environments (above 23C) and 0.10 m/s for cool environments (below 23C).
Where to find more information and resources on ASHRAE 55-2017?
The ASHRAE website and the ASHRAE Thermal Comfort Tool
The ASHRAE website is the official source of information and resources on ASHRAE 55-2017. You can find the full text of the standard, as well as errata, interpretations, addenda, and updates on . You can also purchase a hard copy or a digital version of the standard from the ASHRAE bookstore.
The ASHRAE Thermal Comfort Tool is a software application that can help you apply ASHRAE 55-2017 methods for thermal comfort design and assessment. You can use it to calculate environmental variables, personal variables, comfort zones, draft risk, PMV/PPD indices, adaptive comfort models, and more. You can also use it to generate graphs, tables, reports, and charts based on your input data. You can download the ASHRAE Thermal Comfort Tool from .
The ASHRAE publications and courses on thermal comfort
The ASHRAE publications and courses are another source of information and resources on ASHRAE 55-2017. You can find various books, journals, magazines, newsletters, and papers that cover the topics of thermal comfort, indoor environmental quality, HVAC systems, and building design and operation. Some of the publications that are relevant to ASHRAE 55-2017 are:
ASHRAE Handbook Fundamentals. This is a comprehensive reference book that covers the basic principles and data for HVAC and building design. It includes chapters on thermal comfort, psychrometrics, heat transfer, air flow, ventilation, and more.
ASHRAE Handbook HVAC Applications. This is a practical guide that covers the design, operation, and maintenance of HVAC systems for various types of buildings and facilities. It includes chapters on residential, commercial, industrial, health care, educational, and other applications.
ASHRAE Journal. This is a monthly magazine that features technical articles, case studies, news, and events related to HVAC and building industry. It covers topics such as thermal comfort, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, sustainability, and more.
ASHRAE Transactions. This is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes research papers on HVAC and building science. It covers topics such as thermal comfort, ventilation, air distribution, heat transfer, simulation, and more.
You can access these publications online or in print from the ASHRAE website or the ASHRAE bookstore. You can also find other publications that are related to ASHRAE 55-2017 by using the ASHRAE search engine or the ASHRAE library.
The ASHRAE courses are another way to learn more about ASHRAE 55-2017. You can find various courses that are offered by ASHRAE or its partners that cover the topics of thermal comfort, indoor environmental quality, HVAC systems, and building design and operation. Some of the courses that are relevant to ASHRAE 55-2017 are:
Designing for Thermal Comfort Using Standard 55-2017. This is a self-paced online course that teaches you how to use ASHRAE 55-2017 for thermal comfort design and assessment. It covers the basics of thermal comfort, the methods and tools of ASHRAE 55-2017, the examples and case studies of ASHRAE 55-2017 applications, and more.
Thermal Comfort: More Than Just Air Temperature. This is a live or recorded webinar that explains the concept of thermal comfort and its importance for occupant satisfaction and energy efficiency. It covers the factors that affect thermal comfort, the methods and tools of ASHRAE 55-2017, the challenges and opportunities of thermal comfort design and assessment, and more.
Thermal Comfort Modeling Using CFD. This is a live or recorded webinar that demonstrates how to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to model thermal comfort in indoor spaces. It covers the basics of CFD, the applications of CFD for thermal comfort analysis, the validation and verification of CFD results, and more.
You can register for these courses online or in person from the ASHRAE website or the ASHRAE learning institute. You can also find other courses that are related to ASHRAE 55-2017 by using the ASHRAE course catalog or the ASHRAE education portal.
The examples and case studies of ASHRAE 55-2017 applications
The examples and case studies of ASHRAE 55-2017 applications are another way to learn more about ASHRAE 55-2017. You can find various examples and case studies that show how ASHRAE 55-2017 has been used in real-world projects to achieve acceptable thermal comfort conditions for occupants. Some of the examples and case studies that are relevant to ASHRAE 55-2017 are:
The Bullitt Center in Seattle, Washington. This is a six-story office building that is designed to be net-zero energy and net-zero water. It uses natural ventilation, radiant heating and cooling, operable windows, and personal fans to provide thermal comfort for occupants. It uses the adaptive method of ASHRAE 55-2017 to determine the acceptable temperature range for each season. It also uses the ASHRAE Thermal Comfort Tool to monitor and evaluate the thermal comfort conditions in the building.
The New York Times Building in New York City, New York. This is a 52-story office building that is designed to reduce energy consumption and enhance indoor environmental quality. It uses an underfloor air distribution system, a chilled beam system, a daylighting system, and a shading system to provide thermal comfort for occupants. It uses the analytical method of ASHRAE 55-2017 to determine the design parameters for the HVAC system. It also uses the elevated airspeed method of ASHRAE 55-2017 to allow for higher operative temperatures in spaces where occupants have access to personal control of air movement.
The Qatar National Convention Center in Doha, Qatar. This is a large-scale convention center that is designed to be sustainable and culturally sensitive. It uses a displacement ventilation system, a radiant cooling system, a solar shading system, and a thermal mass system to provide thermal comfort for occupants. It uses the draft risk method of ASHRAE 55-2017 to determine the acceptable air speed and temperature for the ankle region in spaces where occupants are seated or standing. It also uses the PMV/PPD indices of ASHRAE 55-2017 to evaluate the thermal sensation and dissatisfaction of occupants in different zones of the building.
You can find these examples and case studies online or in print from various sources, such as the ASHRAE website, the ASHRAE Journal, the ASHRAE Transactions, or other publications that feature ASHRAE 55-2017 applications. You can also find other examples and case studies that are related to ASHRAE 55-2017 by using the ASHRAE search engine or the ASHRAE library.
Conclusion
ASHRAE 55-2017 is a standard that specifies the conditions for acceptable thermal environments and provides methods for design, operation, and commissioning of buildings and other occupied spaces. It is important for building owners, managers, designers, operators, occupants, and society at large, as it can improve occupant health, well-being, productivity, and satisfaction, reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance compliance with codes, standards, and regulations.
ASHRAE 55-2017 offers various methods for thermal comfort design and assessment, such as the analytical method, the elevated airspeed method, the adaptive method, and the draft risk method. These methods can be applied to different types of spaces and situations, depending on the environmental variables, personal variables, occupant expectations, and personal control of air movement.
ASHRAE 55-2017 also provides various sources of information and resources on thermal comfort, such as the ASHRAE website, the ASHRAE Thermal Comfort Tool, the ASHRAE publications and courses, and the examples and case studies of ASHRAE 55-2017 applications. These sources can help you learn more about ASHRAE 55-2017 and how to use it effectively for your projects.
FAQs
What is the difference between ASHRAE 55-2017 and previous versions of ASHRAE 55?
ASHRAE 55-2017 is the latest version of ASHRAE 55 that was published in October 2017. It supersedes all previous versions of ASHRAE 55 that were published since 1966. Some of the major changes and updates in ASHRAE 55-2017 are:
The addition of a new informative appendix that explains how to use CFD for thermal comfort analysis.
The revision of the elevated airspeed method to include more guidance on turbulence intensity and personal control.
The revision of the adaptive method to include more guidance on running mean outdoor air temperature calculation and building type classification.
The revision of the draft risk method to include more guidance on ankle draft measurement and calculation.
The revision of the normative references to include more recent standards and guidelines.
How can I get a free PDF download of ASHRAE 55-2017?
Unfortunately, you cannot get a free PDF download of ASHRAE 55-2017 legally. ASHRAE 55-2017 is a copyrighted bookstore. The price of the hard copy is $99 for ASHRAE members and $119 for non-members. You can also get a discount if you order more than one copy. The shipping and handling fees may vary depending on your location and delivery method.
To order a hard copy of ASHRAE 55-2017, you can follow these steps:
Go to and click on the "Add to Cart" button.
Review your cart and click on the "Proceed to Checkout" button.
Log in to your ASHRAE account or create a new one if you don't have one.
Enter your billing and shipping information and choose your payment method.
Review your order and confirm it.
Wait for your order confirmation email and tracking number.
Receive your hard copy of ASHRAE 55-2017 in the mail.
If you have any questions or issues with your order, you can contact the ASHRAE customer service at or 1-800-527-4723 (US and Canada) or 1-404-636-8400 (International).
How can I get a certificate of completion for the ASHRAE courses on thermal comfort?
If you want to get a certificate of completion for the ASHRAE courses on thermal comfort, you need to complete the course requirements and pass the course assessment. The course requirements and assessment may vary depending on the type and format of the course, but they usually include:
Watching or attending the course lectures or webinars.
Completing the course assignments or quizzes.
Participating in the course discussions or activities.
Achieving a minimum score of 80% on the course exam or evaluation.
To get a certificate of completion for the ASHRAE courses on thermal comfort, you can follow these steps:
Register for the course online or in person from the ASHRAE website or the ASHRAE learning institute.
Access the course materials and resources from the ASHRAE website or the ASHRAE learning portal.
Complete the course requirements and assessment within the specified time frame.
Wait for your course completion email and certificate link.
Download or print your certificate of completion from the ASHRAE website or the ASHRAE learning portal.
If you have any questions or issues with your certificate, you can contact the ASHRAE learning institute at or 1-678-539-1146.
How can I get involved with ASHRAE and contribute to thermal comfort research and practice?
If you are interested in getting involved with ASHRAE and contributing to thermal comfort research and practice, there are many ways to do so. Some of these ways are:
Becoming an ASHRAE member. As an ASHRAE member, you can enjoy many benefits, such as access to technical resources, discounts on publications and courses, networking opportunities, professional development, recognition, and more. You can also join various ASHRAE committees, groups, chapters, sections, and regions that are related to your field of interest and expertise.
Becoming an ASHRAE volunteer. As an ASHRAE volunteer, you can help advance ASHRAE's mission, vision, and goals by participating in various activities, such as developing standards and guidelines, conducting research projects, organizing events and programs, providing technical support, mentoring students and young professionals, and more. You can also gain valuable skills, experience, and connections by volunteering for ASHRAE.
Becoming an ASHRAE donor. As an ASHRAE donor, you can support ASHRAE's efforts to improve the quality of life for people around the world by donating to various funds, programs, initiatives, and causes that are related to thermal comfort, indoor environmental quality, HVAC systems, building design and operation, and more. You can also make a difference in the lives of others by donating to ASHRAE.
To get involved with ASHRAE and contribute to thermal comfort research and practice, you can visit the ASHRAE website and explore the various opportunities and options that are available for you. You can also contact the ASHRAE staff or the ASHRAE leaders for more information and guidance.
Thank you for reading this article on ASHRAE 55-2017. I hope you have learned something new and useful about thermal comfort standards and how to apply them to your projects. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback, please feel free to contact me or leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you and help you with your thermal comfort needs. 44f88ac181
Comments