Thermal comfort measurement is an essential occupational hygiene assessment conducted to determine how employees are affected by climatic conditions such as temperature, humidity, air velocity, and radiant temperature. Providing appropriate thermal conditions in the work environment is of great importance for employee health, occupational safety, and work efficiency.
Thermal comfort is not evaluated solely by ambient temperature. Air temperature, humidity, air velocity, radiant temperature, employees’ clothing, and the metabolic workload of the performed task must be addressed together.
WHAT IS THERMAL COMFORT MEASUREMENT?
Thermal comfort measurement is the measurement process that assesses the level of impact of hot or cold environmental conditions on employees in the workplace. Through this measurement, it is determined whether the climatic conditions in the work environment adversely affect the physical and mental performance of employees.
Thermal comfort measurement is used to assess employee exposure to factors such as ambient temperature, humidity, air currents, and heat stress.
WHY IS THERMAL COMFORT IMPORTANT?
Inappropriate thermal conditions can lead to distraction, decreased performance, fatigue, stress, dehydration, and health problems in employees. In very hot or very cold working environments, these effects can emerge much faster.
Through thermal comfort measurements:
- Temperature and humidity conditions in the working environment are evaluated
- Air velocity and radiant temperature effects are analyzed
- Employees’ risks of exposure to heat stress or cold stress are determined
- Thermal evaluation parameters such as PMV, PPD, and WBGT are examined
- Compliance of the work environment with legislation and occupational hygiene requirements is evaluated
In conclusion, regularly conducted thermal comfort measurements contribute to protecting employee health and establishing a safer working environment.
THERMAL COMFORT MEASUREMENT PARAMETERS
In thermal comfort assessment, environmental and personal factors are considered together. Looking only at the temperature value is not sufficient for an accurate evaluation.
Environmental Factors
- Air temperature
- Radiant temperature
- Air velocity
- Relative humidity
Personal Factors
- Clothing factor
- Metabolic heat and physical intensity of the performed work
IN WHICH AREAS IS THERMAL COMFORT MEASUREMENT PERFORMED?
Thermal comfort measurement can be applied in all workplaces where temperature and climatic conditions may affect employees. Regular measurement is particularly important in areas with hot processes, cold environments, intense physical labor, or HVAC issues.
- Manufacturing facilities and industrial areas
- Furnaces, foundries, welding, and hot process areas
- Cold storage warehouses and climate-controlled areas
- Laboratories, offices, and indoor working spaces
- Warehouses, logistics, and packaging areas
- Cafeterias, break areas, and common-use sections
HOW IS THERMAL COMFORT MEASUREMENT PERFORMED?
Thermal comfort measurement is planned by considering the characteristics of the working environment, the nature of the work performed, and the exposure conditions of employees. During measurement, ambient conditions are evaluated and obtained data are interpreted within the framework of relevant standards and legislation.
- Work areas and critical points are identified
- Ambient temperature, humidity, air velocity, and radiant temperature are measured
- The physical intensity of the work performed is evaluated
- Clothing insulation factor and employee exposure are taken into account
- Parameters such as PMV, PPD, or WBGT are analyzed
- Results are reported and necessary precautions are determined
Repeating thermal comfort measurements across different seasons ensures a more accurate evaluation of seasonal changes in the work environment.
What are PMV and PPD?
PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) is a thermal evaluation parameter that predicts the thermal sensation scale of employees feeling warm or cold in the environment. PPD (Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied) is used to estimate the percentage of thermally dissatisfied occupants under the given ambient conditions.
What is WBGT measurement used for?
WBGT (Wet Bulb Globe Temperature) is an important index used particularly to evaluate the heat stress risk of workers in hot environments. It is crucial for assessments in hot processes, outdoor operations, and high-temperature manufacturing areas.
When should thermal comfort measurement be performed?
- When employee complaints regarding hot or cold environments arise
- When the HVAC or climate-control system is modified
- When a new process or work area is commissioned
- When seasonal conditions significantly alter the indoor work environment
- When deemed necessary by the occupational physician or OHS professional
THERMAL COMFORT MEASUREMENT AND REPORTING
Haliç Occupational Hygiene Laboratory provides professional support to enterprises in workplace thermal comfort measurements, heat stress evaluations, PMV, PPD, WBGT analysis, and reporting processes. Measurement results are clearly reported by evaluating the conditions of the work environment and worker exposure.
In conclusion, enterprises can plan the necessary preventive measures based on data to protect employee health, enhance workplace productivity, and properly manage thermal comfort conditions.
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